Fitness

Create the Perfect Workout Playlist: 6 Tips

The perfect workout playlist can turn a ho-hum workout into one that is nothing short of amazing. The following tips will help men pick the best workout songs to push through any workout no matter how tough!

1. Keep it up-tempo for cardiovascular and strength-training workouts. Whether you prefer hip-hop to country or indie rock to bluegrass, the important thing is to choose up-tempo songs when you’re looking to get in a good cardio or strength workout. Songs with powerful rhythms and up-tempo beats will keep you working harder for longer and can also serve as motivation when the going gets tough. Upbeat songs can help you put that extra boost from a pre-workout supplement to good use.

2. Choose soothing tunes for yoga, stretching or pilates. Good choices for relaxation exercises include classical music, nature sounds or easy listening. These types of music help you become more in tune with your body and can also help you to perfect poses and deep-breathing exercises. Soothing songs are also great for the cool-down portion of your cardio workouts. Non-abrasive music can help relay the message to your body that the hard part’s over and rest is on the way! Drink your post-workout shake and enjoy the music.

3. Pay attention to song length. It’s a good idea to choose songs for your workout playlist that are roughly the same length. Songs on the longer side are preferable, as listening to fewer songs can make your workout feel shorter in duration. Also, you should always make sure that your playlists are long enough to last the entire duration of your workout. Make sure to allow time for stretching, bathroom breaks, cooling down, etc.

4. Organize your playlists. Make sure to keep cardio playlists separate from strength-training. This can help you to avoid confusion, as well as interruptions during your workout due to skipping through songs or searching for the right playlists. Keep playlists clearly labeled according to workout type in order to prevent to prevent frustration and lost time.

5. Switch things up. In order to prevent boredom and monotony, switch up your workout playlists often. While some songs may give you a push every single time, others may begin to lose their appeal after a few listens. This can diminish the positive effects of a particular song, so make sure you change up your playlists at least every couple of weeks.

6. Stick to your favorite types of music. While exploring different styles of music is definitely a positive thing, doing so during an intense workout probably isn’t the best idea. Switching up workout playlists is essential, but you should stick to bands and artists you already enjoy. If you’re unsure of a particular song or artist, test it out before adding it to your workout playlist.