The 10 best workout songs for your ipod

Music has now been scientifically demonstrated to be a performance enhancing stimulant. Results on your workouts from listening to music has been found to include mood elevation, increased endurance, reduction of perceived effort, distraction from pain and fatigue, and perhaps even metabolic efficiency.

The mind is programmed to respond to rhythm and many people find it in hip-hop, rock and pop songs that provide a soundtrack and tempo for a run or workout. You can even use sites now such as songza and jog.fm to find music to help you pace your workout.

Theyve found that people tend to like to move at a rate of 120 beats per minute and maybe as high as 140-160 for strenuous exercise. Many of the most famous pop songs in history provide just such a tempo.

Here are 10 famous songs that many people have found fantastic for working out that you should add to your own Ipod to give you the extra juice next time you are taking on a tough run or setting a new max with weight training.

Wicked (musical) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

10). Defying Gravity-Stephen Schwartz

From the popular musical “Wicked”, this song is about reaching past limits and rules set by other people around us. The inspirational and challenging lyrics of reaching past challenges and levitating above the earth is a great fit for someone trying to push themselves to keep running, lift more, etc.

“Its time to try defy-ing gravity

9). Lose yourself-Eminem

Lose Yourself (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Trying to pump himself up to take advantage of an opportunity to realize his dreams, Eminems character in 8mile comes up with a rap that takes on all his fears and worries in life and proclaims with boldness that hell succeed.

Its an inspirational account of lifting yourself up in the crucial moments that determine victory or defeat in life. Losing yourself with abandon to the moment. The hip-hop beat of the song will elevate the heart rate and combine with the rhymes and lyrics to generate a response from the body.

“You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, You own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo.”

8). Another one bites the dust-Queen
The steady beat of this song is great for establishing tempo in a song while Freddie Mercurys rising vocal melodies warn of the dangers of trying to bring him down. The lyrics evoke bullets flying and violence creating a tapestry of rhythm and victory for the formerly oppressed.
Its easy to listen to this song and imagine metaphorical or real foes crumbling before your determination.

“And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, Im gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust”
7). One Day More-Les Miserables

With the release of “Les Miserables” starring Hugh Jackman, Anne Hatheway, and Russell Crowe, the wonderful broadway musical was thrust deeper into the public consciousness.

The anthemic “One day more” tracks the anticipation of major characters as the plot thickens to a central uniting event and day that will change the fates of all the actors. The way the vocals weave in and out of each other to the stirring and inspirational melody that has been slowly building in out throughout the film already will inspire you if the lyrics of revolution and hope dont.

Eye of the Tiger (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6). Eye of the Tiger-Survivor

Featured in the film “Rocky 3" this song has a fantastic beat and melody that couldnt be more perfect for pacing the tempo of a workout. Meanwhile both in the film and in the lyrics you find Rocky working to get back to the hunger and desire for victory and success that launched him to the top of the boxing world.

The hunger that drove him to the top of those iconic steps has been lost, and he was pummeled in the ring by a cocky contender played by “Mr. T” from the A-team. If you are looking to get your “swagger back” in your exercise and physicality this track needs to be on your playlist.
“Its the eye of the tiger, its the thrill of the fight, risin up to the challenge of our rival.”

5). Enter Sandman-Metallica

One of Metallicas most famous songs and a main theme for metal and rock fans everywhere, this song builds somewhat slowly but with brooding tones. The Yankees have played this song for over a decade to herald the arrival to the field of Hall of Fame closer, Mariano Rivera.

If you are an opposing team, you know its over. The Sandman has come to put you to sleep.

The slow, brooding guitar part gives way to thundering drums, low E strumming with distortion, and finally the full-blown blast of metal with fierce, growling lyrics.

“Exit light. Enter night. Take my hand. Were off to never never-land…”

Thunder Storm over Crayford (Photo credit: Destinys Agent)

4). Thunderstruck-ACDC

“Went through to Texas, yeah Texas, and we had some fun”, this song would blare through the University of Texas basketball arena before their team took the court and just about every fan in the building would be ready to try and take the court and do whatever they could to help their Longhorn basketball team to victory.

The student sections would jump and slam down on the bleachers in unison with the “THUNDER!” growls from ACDC frontman Brian Johnson and you couldnt fail to be pumped up.

As far as rock anthems, there is no better song to elevate your heart rate and get you excited to kick butt and have some fun doing it.

“Youve been…thunderstruck!”

English: The front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, including the famous “Rocky Steps”, as well as the Rocky Statue. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Also http://ipodmybaby.com/.

3). Gonna fly now/Rocky Theme-Rocky soundtrack

If youve seen Rocky, and can recall the site of Sylvester Stallone running harder and harder with the Philadelphia backdrop quickly becoming a blur behind his determined, flying form. Finally he reaches the consequently famous steps to the Philadelphia museum of art and stand victoriously at the top with arms raised.
He has yet to fight heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, but the real victory has already been won. Hes mastered himself.
If youve seen Rocky, this theme will not fail to be spectacular motivation for a run or training session.
“Trying hard now…getting strong now…gonna fly now!”

2). Stronger-Kanye West

One of the most heavily downloaded songs for the purpose of workouts either on Spotify, Ipod, workout music stations, etc. Kanye took Daft Punks faster, stronger techno themes and fashioned them into a bold rap with a driving beat that will give you chills when it comes on and youre trying to find the confidence and strength to succeed at the end of your workout.

Hip-Hop is fantastic for providing a driving beat to pace yourself while the nature of fast-flowing rhymes and confident, triumphant lyrics forms an overall result that is designed to make the human body respond with movement and emotion.

“Work it, make it, do it, makes us Harder, better, faster, stronger”

Ian Charleson (foreground) and Ben Cross (left) running in the “Chariots of Fire” music scene which bookends the film. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1). Chariots of Fire-Vangelis

Subtly powerful and moving, this track slowly swells in as you see the characters of the film “Chariots of Fire” running along a beach in preparation or metaphor for their preparation for the Olympic games.

The film “Chariots of Fire” chronicles two athletes competing and training with higher purpose. One is pursuing excellence and triumph, the other feels Gods pleasure in purpose when he runs and makes use of his God-given talent.

Its a beautiful story and one of the more inspirational melodies ever comprised. It wont pump you up with soaring vocals, hard-hitting rhymes, or driving beat, but quietly move you with its gentle power and affirmation of triumph over struggle.

With the diversity of these 10 songs you will find some big hitters for your workout playlist to take advantage of what music can offer the human spirit.