Everyone suits up for their day differently.
For some, packing their headphones along with the required Lululemon gear and heart rate monitor is a normal part of a training preparation routine. For me, leaving home with my favourite BEATS in-ear or over-the-ear headset is a deliberate part of my “hear-no-evil”, get into my zone experience. And the day begins.
Undoubtedly, getting through a workout can be grueling. However, putting together the perfect playlist can provide a very personal and motivational way to make it less challenging and in fact, inspiring.
Whether I’m home building the Balance Fitness community or on the road, it’s all about the bass or great music. Here is one of my favourite workout mixes:
Kanye West, “Runaway". It’s kind of ironic that this track by Kanye is an incendiary toast to foul-mannered “douchebags". But, there you have it. None-the-less, it provides an interesting interruption to whatever you were thinking about prior to pressing play. The unintelligible ending to the track actually starts to make sense after a while.
Jay-Z, "Public Service Announcement". You want to put everyone on alert during this track: "I'm serious about my training. Don't bother me".
Chris Brown, Beautiful People. He may not be able to get across the border to put on a concert, but we should thank “Breezy” (Chris Brown’ monicker) him for his creation of this inspiringly beautiful song.
C & C Music Factory, "Gonna Make You Sweat". Are you warmed up, now? It's time pick up the pace and perhaps sing long (better yet, mouth the words) to this classic.
Chris Brown Feat. Busta Rhymes, "Look at Me Now". You may want to stop the treadmill so that you can do your best swag dance, the whole time yelling, "Look at me Now!” Yes - LOOK AT YOU, NOW!
Beyonce, “Countdown”. “Grind up on it girl. Show him how you rock it”, says Beyonce on this track. Don’t argue with her. She even counts you down.
Rick Ross, "M.C. Hammer". Feel free to brag about all the stuff you own, while listening to this track. Because, it ain't braggin' if you can do it.
Beyonce, "7/11". I have no idea what "Queen B" is talking about in this track. But, it's damn fun!
Eminem Feat. Lil' Wayne, "No Love". This track is one of my personal favourites. If for no other reason, Eminem makes the supremely talented Lil' Wayne seem downright pedestrian. Don't sprain your tongue trying to keep up with Eminem.
Eminem Feat. Rihanna, “Till I Collapse”. By this point in your workout, you may be having a difficult time keeping pace. “Till I Collapse” has a similar heartbeat-like rhythm, similar to Queen’s, We Will Rock You”, that will certainly help you get back in the zone.
Eminem Feat. Rihanna, "The Monster". There's no time to look under the treadmill. This is the first of two "Monster". Her haunting voice is a perfect compliment to Eminem's manic rap style.
Kanye West Feat. Bon Iver, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Rick Ross, "Monster". Nicki is destructively schizophrenic, but brilliant on this track.
Drake Feat. Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne & Eminem, “Forever”. There are all kinds of hashtags written all over this track. With this track, Drake put Toronto on everyone’s map.
Duke Dumont, "I Got U". This Whitney Houston remake is just full of goodness. I got you, baby!
Missy Elliott Bonus Tracks: "Let it Bump"; "Pass That Dutch"; "Pump It", and; "Ragtime".
Hello, World!