Hey everyone, where are your headphones? Credit: Rikard Larma / Metro
Running to the beat of your own drum? You’re more likely to work faster and harder if you bring along some tunes for the road. Scientific Americanhas found that listening to music during a workout dulls pain and fatigue and increases endurance. In 2012, Dr. Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University wrote that it can increase your running performance by as much as 15 percent.
For anyone looking for a little play-by-play for a good playlist, Scratch DJ Academy’s DJ Carver gave us some tunes that’ll help get the blood flowin’.
Calvin Harris & Ne-Yo — “Let’s Go”
“I love starting workout mixes and sets with this track because it sounds like the morning and the message is inspiring.”
French Fries—“Yo Vogue”
“I find that songs with simple lyrics make for great workout music.”
Disclosure — “Flow”
“My favorite song by one of my favorite groups, the groove of this song keeps my legs moving during incline portions of long runs.”
Cazzette — “Beam Me Up”
“The breakdowns on this record are perfectly placed for short bursts of focus during your workout.”
Don Omar — “Danza Kuduro”
“I honestly have no idea what they are saying in this song but it’s always a crowd favorite.”
Lil Jon — “Drink”
“I hope Lil Jon knows how much of a personal trainer/motivational speaker he is for workouts. The energy always goes up a notch when he starts yelling, regardless of what he’s yelling about.”
Kanye West — “Black Skinhead”
“The aggression of this track is great for adding energy to the low points of a workout. The drums on this song sound like motivation.”
Freddie Gibbs — “Playa (Capski Juke Remix)“
“Upbeat, smooth songs like this are great for when your body goes into ‘auto-pilot’ during cardio workouts.”
Ben E. King — “Stand By Me (Baltimore Club Remix)”
“This crowd favorite always catches first-time listeners by surprise. A timeless record that everyone knows the lyrics to over a Baltimore Club beat.”
French Montana — “Pop That (Big O Remix)”
“The energy in this song is infectious and with someone shouting ‘Work!’ and ‘Bounce!’ at you repeatedly you can’t help yourself.”
Trinidad James —”All Gold Everything (I’m Sweatin’ Remix)”
“An upbeat remix with all the fluff of the original taken out. The only part left is fun part.”
Rihanna & Future — “Love Song (DJ Sliink Remix)”
“The catchy hook and smoothness of this track make you forget that you’re working out.”
Calvin Harris & Florence Welch — “Sweet Nothing” + Icona Pop – “I Don’t Care”
“I dare you to try and stop yourself from singing along when either of these songs comes on.”
