What ‘Cha Playing?
FitMe and fit815 resolve to share their current favorite workout songs.
Research shows that listening to music during a workout can distract people from pain and increase endurance. Music during workouts can increase your distance, speed, and effort exerted without you even realizing it. Check out what the FitMe/fit815 crew has in heavy rotation as we kick off a new year!
“Surrender” by Cheap Trick
Greg Georgis, fit815 Magazine Publisher, FitMe Wellness Owner & Founder
Hey, we’re a Rockford based club, owned by a Rockford guy, designed for Rockfordians to find their fit. What could be better than rocking your workout to our very own Hall of Famers’ Cheap Trick. I hear that opening riff and my feet just start moving. There’s no dragging. It just propels me into a great workout. It’s my go-to song to get started on the bike or treadmill as it sets my pace for the rest of the workout. As Damone from Fast Times at Ridgemont High said, “Can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen?” Do yourself a favor and try this oldie out to get your cardio kicked off right.
“I Love It” by Icona Pop & Charli XCX
Julie Knutson, fit815 Editor
My attachment to this song stems from its prominence in a club scene in Season 1 of the HBO series Girls (for the record: it’s one of the greatest, most hilarious TV moments of all time). I can’t hear it without wanting to get up and dance . . . or sing along with hand gestures . . . or hit the gym. Be forewarned, it is explicit.
“More and More” by Hixxy
Matthew Bralick, FitMe Wellness Staff Associate
I work out for two reasons, to eat just about whatever the heck I feel like, and to release emotions that need to be released. It’s natural to feel anger, angst, sadness, these all have a part in our lives. When these emotions sit stagnant and fester within the body, disease can be developed or even further exacerbated. Having a safe release for negatively charged emotions is essential to the overall health and wellness of each of us, and for me these crazy fast Euro techno beats are just the thing I need to express and release these emotions in a safe and positive way!
“Aerodynamic” by Daft Punk
Tyler Rudick, fit815 Design & Layout
Almost two decades on (eeps!), this Daft Punk track can still give me the goosebumps. From the spooky monastery bell that starts the song to the otherworldly guitar earworm at minute one, the famed French house duo takes you on a journey far from the gym. For a bonus, check out Daft Punk’s 2007 live version that mashes up their other classic from the era, “One More Time.” Vive la France!
“Feel Invincible” by Skillet
Rachel Nelson, FitMe Wellness Personal Trainer
Imagine this. You’re 20 minutes into a workout and you’re already drained, thinking about your couch and a pint of ice cream or a glass of wine. You wanted to get your usual 45 minutes in, but today you just aren’t feeling it and you’re ready to throw in the towel. All of a sudden you hear the guitars, the beat of the drum is intense, and you start to feel a spark of energy. As it builds to the chorus, your pace and intensity increase and the lyrics paint a picture of what you want to be: invincible. Finally the chorus hits and just like that you’re motivated to power through . . . and not just to get it over with, but to push yourself an extra 10 minutes. It’s a song to reserve for a time in need, but it does the trick every time. •
