Do you listen to music when you workout?
MUSIC is HUGE in my life! Before I teach class in New York City I spend H-O-U-R-S searching out the best tunes around aannnddd I LOVE to serenade Jessica by half-lip sinking/half singing to ridiculous love songs, HA! Goofball, I know! 
For me it’s such a rush when I find music that gets people excited about working out! When I get to see the smiles on people’s faces and the sweat dripping from their brows… There’s nothing better… I LOVE IT!
As a seasoned workout master I’m here to tell You the music you choose to workout with has a huge impact on your level of performance.
Have you ever been completely exhausted or kinda sad and SNAP out of it in an instant because your favorite song came on the radio? The song didn’t solve your exhaustion but for a moment it definitely lifted your spirits, right? I know for a fact that Music not only has a physical impact on our bodies but it also has a mental impact on our spirits… The Impact can be conscious or unconscious… Do you guys agree?
Jessica and I love to use music as a tool to lift our moods and keep us smiling! I’ve been in a completely awful mood and once I turn on MJB Da MVP by Mary J. Blige… I know everything’s gonna be ok. I listen to it regularly, I use the song to change my state of mind and it works! When I stop for a moment and listen to the song I realize that everything really is ok Music has a veerrry strong effect on me… Do you have any songs you listen to that lift your spirit or touch your soul?
I don’t care whom the artist or what the song is, if the music is able to create a positive feeling in people it’s worth a listening to. I truly believe that good music makes a difference in the world one song at a time.
I’m a mmmaaajjjooorrrr ADVOCATE of music that carries a positive message… The song doesn’t need it to be as obvious as Natasha Bedingfield’s a Pocketful of Sunshine or Wilson Philips Hold On… It can be a little less in your face like Dance 2nite (Wayne G Mix) by Madonna. For me lyrics are HUGE. I like to listen to music that only carries positive messages AND I d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y only teach my classes with that style of music.
Why? Because I often find myself singing the words of the songs from my classes over and over again during the day… If the words/lyrics carry a positive message it’s almost like creating my own weekly positive affirmations. If you listen to the words to a lot of great songs the basic message is “Anything’s possible if you believe,” in terms of love and life. I also like this music because it creates feelings and an environment of positivity… Many times after class someone will say, “Lacey! I love your classes they make me feel so energized, and I always seem to feel aammazzingg after them!” I truly believe that feeling has a LARGE part to do with the type of music I pick.
ITUNES – is the GREATEST invention EVER!!! Before Itunes I use to have to go to a CD store and listen to music for hours, BUT now all I have to do is run searches on the ITunes interface. AMAZING… You can go from one genre to the next in seconds.
When creating a workout playlist, although I do love a little hiphop aaannndddddd I’ve been known to bust out a little Frank Sinatra with the lovely Ms Clark… HEY IT’s ROMANTIC! I think it’s best to keep to music that has a fast beat… The faster the music the faster you move. YOUR body will naturally adjust to the beat of what you’re listening to… Faster tunes increase your pace and increase your results!
This is why people who take Yoga don’t listen to Rihanna; Take a Bow- Dance Remixes during class, but rather Buddha Bar VII, Breathe –easy listening. Music sets the scene; it creates a feeling of relaxation or PARTY PEOPLE!
I know some of you guys get annoyed that lately a lot of songs are getting remixed to a faster beat… Some of my clients say… “Why are they ruining the music?!” In my opinion the record companies are giving slower songs an opportunity to be worked out too at a faster pace. I personally LOVE IT! Without the remix, “No One” by Alicia Keys would just be a slow song at a prom dance. LONG LIVE the REMIX!
That said I’m going to hit YOU up with you my Top Ten Favorite Workout Songs of 2008! All available on ITUNES… And if you’re looking for some more GREAT music join my Lacey Stone Fitness Mailing List at www.laceystonefitness.com I send out 10 new goodies every month!
It was HARD… But here’s the list!
1. Forever – Chris Brown
2. Closer – Ne-yo
3. Take a Bow (Tony Moran & Warren Riggs Encore Club) - Rihanna
4. Touch My Body (Seamus Haji Mix) - Mariah Carey
5. 4 Minutes (feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland) – Madonna
6. Viva La Vida – Coldplay
7. No Air (Dance Remix) – Jordin Sparks Ft. Chris Brown
8. Work (Steve Pitron & Max Sanna Radio Edit) – Kelly Rowland
9. The Right Life (Tiesto Remix) – Seal
10. What Hurts The Most (Spencer & Hill Remix) – Cascada
Let me know what you think about Music and tell me some of your favorite songs, ok?
I’ll pop your FAVs in my classes! AND, drum roll pplleeassseee… In 2009 I’m launching PlayList! It will be a great new website where you can find GREAT workout music ALL THE TIME… sswweeetttt!
