It’s time for another #MusicMonday! I started running about a year ago, using the Couch to 5K app. I’ve since run a few 5Ks, I’m currently training for my first obstacle run, and I have a long term goal of running my first half marathon in 2015. All of this might make it sound like I really love running… and that would be an incorrect assumption. I run because it’s a convenient way to get cardio in when I’m traveling, and because it is something I can do with friends and family members who aren’t able to join me at the studio for classes.
One thing I’ve learned over the past year: your playlist can make or break my running experience. When the music isn’t setting the right tone, my pace suffers, I can’t distract myself from any aches and pains I might be feeling, and the run feels like it’s taking twice as long. When the music is spot on, though, all of that disappears and it’s just me and the road and the music — and that’s pretty awesome.
Enter today’s Music Monday feature: Steady 130 Mixes.
There’s a lot of research out there about the ideal BPM, or beats per minute, for music to accompany your workout. In summary: you want to aim for anywhere between 120-150 BPM. The New York Times covered this back in 2008, and Women’s Running recently published an interview with the same scientist profiled in the NYTimes feature, again emphasizing the connection between music and running. If you’re interested in learning more about heart rates and the corresponding exertions, I recommend this handy chart from Running for Fitness. Generally speaking, though, 130 BPM translates to a 12 minute mile, so a playlist at that tempo is great for new runners or to use for longer, slower training runs.
Steady 130 offers free downloadable custom mixes, all of which average 130 BPM. They really cover the entire spectrum, so no matter what your taste in music, you can probably find something that will appeal to you. The mixes range from 30 minutes to over an hour, so you can also find a mix that will suit your training needs. Best of all, there’s no interruption — it’s a continuous mix that keeps you going for the duration of your run, without waiting for your iTunes to decide on its next shuffled track.
I’m featuring my current favorite, a new 80s throwback remix that features the soundtracks from some of the great movies of my youth, for this week’s #MusicMonday, but I strongly encourage you to check out the whole site and take advantage of their archives. There’s truly something for anyone, and I promise it will rev up your workout!
What music really gets you moving during a workout? Do you prefer to make your own playlists, or do you appreciate the ease of a curated remix? Let me know in the comments!
Being Your Change 