It’s hard to get motivated to work out at the best of times; with the colder weather on the horizon, it’s going to get even harder to resist the temptation to Netflix under a pile of doonas. So, once you’ve forced the activewear on and chosen your rewarding pain of choice, you’re going to need some motivating tunes to keep you jogging or lifting or even just upright.
Let The Good Times Roll, JD McPherson
An old-school flavoured rock and roll belter that makes you wanna move so badly, you’ll happily burst into a jog down at the park.
Confident, Demi Lovato
There’s a reason the title track from Lovato’s 2015 album is such a catchy, driving banger: producer Max Martin. The reigning star of modern pop production, Martin has been spinning gold since the late 1990s, with the bubblegum pop boom. Of course, Lovato’s strong pipes and sass help here, too; the track is a tribute to the bold and fearless person we all wanna be, which is a good mind-frame to maintain when you’re sweating your face off.
Good Girls, Elle King
You probably know King for her huge hit, Ex’s and Oh’s, but this number from the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot soundtrack is a firework of a track that, at barely three minutes, is a short, sharp jab of energy into your day.
Rhythm of the Night, Corona
The 1993 Italian techno track adds some much-needed vigor into your exercise regime. Indeed, even bad techno is good for being active, since the consistent beats make for a good sort of bodily metronome, but you might as well enjoy your tunes while you’re tearing yourself a new hamstring, yes?
Watchin’, Freemasons
British DJ duo Freemasons have taken R&B singer Deborah Cox’s 1998 slow jam It’s Over Now and pumped it full of disco house goodness, with added vocals by Amanda Wilson. The speed and ire of the number will keep you pumping on that elliptical machine.
Joy, Tumbleweed
‘90s Aussie rock as we most fondly remember it: speedy, chaotic, woozy. This album track from their 2000 album, Mumbo Jumbo, has always been a standout for me, and a favourite when trying to up the speed on the treadmill; the driving speed pushes you forward and injects you with palpable energy.
Survivor, Destiny’s Child
The truly great era of Destiny’s Child began around 1999, when the group released Jumpin’ Jumpin’. The best and most well-known DC singles come from this time – ending after the wet and weak Cater 2 U in 2005 – and 2001’s Survivor is one of the best results of this fertile era. It’s no doubt no coincidence that the best time of DC’s career was when Beyonce started co-producing their singles. Chuck this one on when you’re having those ‘workout blues’ (“I can’t do this, what human can run 10km?!”, etc.)
Boom, P.O.D
P.O.D are definitely one of the sillier children of the nu-metal boom (hehe) of the new millennium; perhaps because the genre relies on white guys rapping, which is so often corny and strange. Whatever your thoughts on nu-metal, white rap or Christian metal, Boom is tailor-made for striking energy into the heart of the weary, and doesn’t need to be taken seriously in order to boost your motivation in the cycle class.
Image source: Apatow Productions
