What's On Your iPod?

The invention of the portable MP3 music player is a landmark in the evolution of fitness gear.  I remember years ago trying to listen to a CD Walkman while jogging, and even though the product boasted of revolutionary anti-jitter and cache ahead technology, the playback was just painful.  Digital MP3 players, with their expansive storage capabilites and skip-free playback have provided a tool to motivate, inspire and even educate us as we exercise.

The rising popularity of the iPod and other MP3 players has led to the development of a multitude of exercise-oriented accessories and Web sites designed to help fitness buffs of all levels create the ideal soundtrack for their workout or - in some cases - to walk them through it with auditory or on-screen coaching. 

Whether it be custom mixes or playlists of your favorite get-up-and-go songs, workout music has become a big market for the millions of workout fans plugged into their iPod or any other portable MP3 player.

Web sites like workoutmusic.com and fitmusic.com now offer downloadable mixes for everything from high-intensity spinning to gentle yoga, with songs painstakingly arranged according to BPM (beats per minute) to match your warmup, increased intensity and cool down.

Others, such as Boulder-based fitwisetraining.com and Utah-based podfitness.com, have turned the MP3 player into a palm-size personal trainer, offering downloadable audio or video workouts, from Bosu and exercise ball moves to strength training and ski conditioning routines.

Where can you get free workout music?

I have an iPod and have developed multiple playlists to accomodate the various workouts I undertake each week.  If one were to peek at my iTunes library, they'd see a puzzling mix of everything from Big Band music to Jamaican reggae to classic and contemporary rock from the 60's through today.  I even have a day's listening worth of New Age music that I like to relax to.

Check out this blog entry to see where I get most of my workout music (for free!)

So, what's in my recent Top Rated playlists?  Well, as I've been doing alot of high intensity biking and running lately, it's mostly rock.  Here are some sample songs that I keep in heavy rotation during workouts.

"Surrender" - Cheap Trick
"Nine Lives" - Def Leppard
"Welcome To The Jungle" - Guns 'N Roses
"All Fired Up" - Pat Benatar
"Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" - The Ramones
"So What" - Pink
"Ballroom Blitz" - Sweet
"Funplex" - The B52's
"Livin' On A Prayer" - Bon Jovi
"Call It Rock N Roll" - Great White
"Tear Me Down" - Meatloaf
"Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance
"Come On Feel The Noise" - Quiet Riot

The list goes on. 

Workout music absolutely helps to motivate me and there's a playlist available to match almost any exercise program.