Classical music for working out? (Also, ambient/trance recommendations?)
What's your classical music playlist when you hit the gym? Lately, I've been enjoying classical minimalist composers for my workouts. I like that the pieces are long and build gradually, which matches the energy and intensity I feel in a cardio workout. Also, the minimalist pieces I select have no rubato, so I can get in a groove. They often lack variety in dynamics, which is good because I want to be able to hear the music over gym noise. Most importantly, they are droning and repetitive in a way that doesn't demand constant attention. They allow me to enter a meditative state.
Here's my playlist these days:
- John Adams - Phrygian Gates
- Steve Reich - Electric Counterpoint
- Steve Reich - Variations for winds, strings, keyboards
- Philip Glass - Pruit Igoe (from Koyaanisqatsi)
More than suggestions, I'm just curious to hear what classical music is on your playlist. But also I'm curious about ambient/trance suggestions, as I suspect that there's a lot in those genres that might fit my criteria, but I'm ignorant on the topic.
This is going to be more "what's on your playlist" because I don't have classical music specifically for working out. I just listen to whatever I'm in the mood for that's interesting enough to distract me from how boring the treadmill is. I gravitate toward stuff with vocals.
Lately that's usually an album of arias or collections of songs like this one or this one. Both from Schubert. I like Hugo Wolf too.
If I really want to get in a groove, it's going to be something like Machine Head or hip hop.
As far as ambient or trance, I'm just starting to explore that myself. There's a YouTube channel called Outro Podcast that I use as a jumping off point to explore different kinds of techno. (It's just music, not actually a podcast.) I linked the video I was listening to today. It gives me kind of classical vibes in some places.
Thanks for sharing! I tried the Outro Podcast for today's workout. It satisfied many criteria on my list. Most importantly, it made me feel like I was on a journey as I rowed on a machine. I also appreciated the variety of timbres.
The torture of exercise causes me to get very sensitive about music in weird ways. Songs I normally like can become hateful for strange reasons. In this case, the constant quarter note pulsing of the drums became irritating, and I wished that the harmony was less plain. But this is definitely in the ballpark of music I like for exercise. Thank you!
Sorry man, no classical music on my devices too, but if I'm feeling instrumental while working out I just listen to an OST of any movie, game or series I love.
The great thing about soundtracks its that there are very different songs in there. For example, the 2001 videogame Shadow of the Colossus OST is composed entirely of instrumental songs, some of which are:
Those battle themes are very great for working out, they lift up your spirits and make you feel like a little guy against a mountain creature... with a chance at winning.
Almost all OSTs have songs that are not too large, so please it check out. I recommend for you to check those movies, TV series and videogames that you personally enjoyed, but feel free to check a lot more because that's a mine of music without lyrics that gives gold very easily.
EDIT: I just wanted to add I'll be checking out your playlist too, because I can't be here recommending you to try something different, without me doing the same. So, I'll bookmark this post.
Thank you for the recommendation! I tried this version of the Shadow of the Colossus OST for my workout today. Like I've said before, the torture of exercise makes me picky about music. In normal circumstances I could enjoy this music, but in the context of doing cardio, the music put me into one of three emotional states:
None of those emotional states are exactly right for me when doing cardio. If there has to be a message in the music, I would like it to be "Take it one step at a time. You're doing fine. You're making slow and steady progress." I know I'm picky.
I appreciate your recommendation!
Just bookmarking this because I never really thought of classical music being something you can workout to. What kind of cardio do you do OP?
I need music for the cardio portion, which is what I prioritize when time is short (and these days, it always is). Usually it's 40 minutes of either rowing, stepmill, or treadmill.
When I do weights and stretching, I guess I'll listen to music too, but there is something about the torture of cardio that makes me picky about music. It can make me hate songs I like. I've heard music is used in "enhanced interrogation" to cause a Pavlovian response even before actual torture begins. Based on my reaction to music, I can believe it.