Music Helps Make The Pain Go Away

"Wow I really mutilated myself during that WOD!"

I was talking to my good pal Joe earlier yesterday about the correlation between music and working out, and how certain types of music really get us going while certain types just do nothing for us. Hmm, kind of sounds like I'm talking about something else, but I assure you I'm not - at least not in this blog.

We all have our preferences for what types of atmospheres we like working out in. Some people like a peaceful atmosphere with low music in the background that isn't too distracting or no music at all, while others enjoy deafening death metal blaring at the highest possible decibel levels which, I would say, is most effective in producing optimal quantities of firebreathers.

My music preference? LOUD AS F*%K!!!

I do not, for one split second, want to hear myself breathing, feel myself suffering, feel the blood pumping through my veins, nothing. The only thing I want to feel pumping through my veins is music. Music is a great way to remove that mental block during a workout. Just like with trying to fall asleep, music allows for you to become distracted, even in the smallest of percentages, from whatever it is you are attempting to focus less on.

I have a preference for which songs I like to listen to depending on what kind of WOD I am doing. If it is a crazy workout like Fran, I need to listen to something loud and crazy; if I am doing a heavy WOD, I prefer something a little more low key.

Here are some of my personal choices for the killer metcons:

1. Tool - Aenema, Eulogy
2. Marilyn Manson - The Beautiful People
3. Rage Against The Machine - Pistol Grip Pump, Sleep Now In The Fire, How I Could Just Kill A Man
4. Metallica - The End Of The Line, The Day That Never Comes
5. AC/DC - Who Mad Who, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
6. Motorhead - Ace Of Spades
7. Motley Crue - Live Wire
8. Judas Priest - You've Got Another Thing Comin'
9. Dropkick Murphys (kickass band) - The State Of Massachusetts, Flannigan's Ball

Here are some of my personal choices for the heavy days:

1. Black Strobe - I'm A Man
2. Cypress Hill - I Ain't Goin' Out Like That, Superstar, Hits From The Bong
3. Public Enemy - Public Enemy No. 1, Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
4. Grandmaster Flash - The Message
5. Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right
6. Run DMC - Rock Box

It's funny how certain songs can trigger your adrenalin, but it happens. As soon as you hit the play button, your blood starts to boil, you start getting angry, and the look of death suddenly creeps into your eyes; well, either that or you feel like you have to make one last run to the bathroom before you begin your workout. Two great outcomes, nonetheless!