Best Music For Workouts and Training

The TRIbe’s Favorite Training Tunes

Bumping some of your favorite tunes while putting in miles on the indoor trainer, busting out some reps at the gym, or pounding the pavement on a run can be the perfect motivation on those days when you are just not feeling it. But not just any music will do when you want to go for that PR—you need something that will really pump you up. Need some suggestions for that perfect playlist? Check out our TRIbe’s favorite training music and when they like to plug in the most.

Taylor:

When it comes to my taste in music, I’m all about variety. My running playlist usually has a mix of Country, Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop, Alternative, Spoken Word, etc. I run to the beat of the music. When I want to run at a faster pace, I listen to Rap or Hip-Hop. When I want to run long or slow and take time to think about things, I’ll play Country. And in my opinion, nothing beats some old school music that I used to listen to when I was in middle school or high school.

I usually listen to music only when I walk or run. I don’t listen to any music when I swim or bike because I’m usually concentrating on what’s in front of me, or in the case of biking, I’m usually riding with a friend.

My go-to tunes:

1. Can’t Stop The Feeling! by Justin Timberlake
2. Jumpman by Drake & Future
3. Bad Blood by Taylor Swift
4. It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy
5. Break A Sweat by Becky G

Radka:

I love music but I don't listen to music to much during my workouts. Sometimes I will use my earbuds when I am running on a treadmill, but when I go for a run outdoors I never listen to music. I also don’t listen to music in the pool or on the bike. It is so important for me to stay 100% focused during training and I find listen to music sometimes will distract me from what I’m doing.

However, when I am training on the wind trainer, music is a necessity. I have music downloaded onto my iPhone that I have been playing for two years. Although my playlist has some older music on it, I don’t get tired of it… I just put it on shuffle mode so I don’t know what song is coming next!  

The music I listen to motivates me.

I love to listen to:

1. Anything by System of a Down
2. The Rain Song by Led Zeppelin
3. Mr. Brightside by The Killers
4. Nude by Radiohead
5. Give it Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers
   

Kimmy:

Music gives me extra motivation to push myself and train harder. Something about the tempo and lyrics have a way of making my mind more committed to going further or doing an extra rep. Combining these tunes for each one of my workouts keeps my mind stoked and my body aligned with positive vibrations and high energy. I use Skullcandy Dime earbuds to stay in the zone all the time because they stay in my ears and give me a lot of bass. I love biking to the pool or gym with the top 5 high energy songs blasting to get me warmed up and focused, and then shift over to my training playlist which is fun and easy to listen to. Sometimes I find myself dancing on the bike or singing out loud while I'm running because of my playlist, and that's what I love about spending majority of my time training outdoors. I can enjoy nature and be myself, which adds really good energy to my workouts.

Biking and Running:          

1. Light It Up Major Lazer by Fuse ODG
2. Drinkee by Sofi Tukker
3. My head is a Jungle by Wankelmut & Emma Louise
4. Fireproof by Coleman Hell
5. Can’t Get Enough of Myself by Santigold

Gym workouts: 

1. Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
2.  Wild by Laney Jones
3. This is What you Came For by Calvin Harris   
4. Kill of the night by Gin Wigmore
5. Black is the night by DJ Vadim

Adrienne:

Depending on my mood and need for motivation my desire for what I want to listen to changes.  I like good beats, music that inspires, and stuff I can sing to—especially when I’m riding my bike on the trainer.  I don’t opt for music during other workouts though unless I have some absolute new favorite songs and I need killer motivation.

Here are my top five faves:  

1. Where I Want To Be by Arizona
2. Renaissance by Steve James
3. Catch & Release by Matt Simons
4. One Less Lonely Girl by Justin Bieber (weird but perfect cadence for a few minutes of pushing the power on the trainer)  
5. Roar by Katy Perry

Tricia:

What motivates me is the old school music. Beats that take me back in time and inspire me to dig deep. These are great to listen to while biking, running, and swimming. Listening with my earbuds is the best!

My favorite tunes:

1. Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.
2. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down by Diddy & Mase
3. The Kids Are Alright by The Offspring
4. The Next Episode by Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg
5. Even Flow by Pearl Jam

Renee:

Those that train with me know that I love listening to my music. When I am on my long rides I like to switch it on up the big climbs, ergo training sessions, and all my long runs I have my music blaring. I am a big fan of Pandora and Spotify. (Keith Hedgeland Photo)

My top 5 songs/playlists:

1. Riverdance by Lindsey Stirling—Not everyone’s cup-of-tea, but this gives me a lift when I need it. Don’t knock it until you have actually listened to a song from this artist! This my go-to for hard bike sessions on the trainer.
2. Hilltop hoods by Eminem
3. Chet Faker by Broods—For when I just have an easy cruise session (ie: long run).
4. Anything by Florence and the Machine
5. Anything by Rihanna