Music. Almost as vital to life as breathing for some. It can stir memories, evoke emotions, and inspire. Music has a way of making time pass before you know it. This is why so many people use music to motivate them. One of my favorite ways to help focus on tasks is to put on a Lo-Fi playlist and use a flow timer to get work done. My other favorite way to use music for motivation? At the gym! I’ve even complied a little musical motivation playlist for you on Spotify! It includes some of my favorites for cardio and strength training.

I’ve always loved music. For as long as I can remember, just about any time I’m in a car it’s been a one-person concert. I’m an absolute band and choir nerd. If I’m home alone or working in my office, you bet there is music playing in the background. So why wouldn’t I need music to accompany my workouts? YogaHour doesn’t seem quite so painful when there is a kick-ass soundtrack keeping pace. Running a 5k? You better believe I’ve crafted a playlist to pump me up and get me through those last few steps.

What proof is there that you might want to throw a pair of headphones into your gym bag? Studies have shown that music can oftentimes help set and maintain a pace for you. Try looking up playlists specifically devoted to running a certain minute per mile. They exist! Science has also shown that music competes with the feedback your brain is getting from your body, leading you to be able to push through fatigue and finish up those last few reps. Fucking science, it’s wild!

Now, I did mention I was going to share my musical motivation playlist with you! It’s roughly 46 minutes long and features seven songs I love to push me through cardio, and then seven songs that really help me push through strength training. And your girl needs all the help she can get! I’ve been trying to get back into the gym for the past two months, but keep finding reasons to bitch out. Alas, we are often our own worst enemies.

But, on that note, the playlist!

I hope you enjoy these songs as much as I do! Comment below with your favorite workout jams and let me know what I need to add to my musical motivation playlist.