Trainer tip - Music is Motivational!

CREATE A MOTIVATING PLAYLIST!!!!

Published 06/06/2008 in Runner's World Mag
Playlist plan: Strong lyrics

Why it works: A 2006 study at York St. John University in the U.K. found that students could hold a 2.4-pound weight straight out in front of their bodies at shoulder height for up to 10 percent longer when they listened to motivational pop or rock music for an entire torturous session. The all-music workout beat out listening to white noise and listening to music for only part of the time. But the key is to choose tracks with lyrics that get you amped you up--yes, even if they include the words "Don't Stop Believin'."

I think any sane woman would enjoy the motivational ditties below. But I won't be offended if you decide to sub in a few of your own go-to tunes; pretty much anything you recklessly belt out in the shower or your car is on the money. One tip: Songs that mention specific actions ("Jump!"), particularly those that include body parts ("Put your hands in the air!"), will really light a spark under you when you're struggling to finish that final set of lunges.


Just The Way You Are - Bruno Mars
Like a G6 - Far East Movement
So Big - Iyaz
Teenage Dream - Katy Perry
Only Girl - Rihanna
Club Can't Handle Me - FloRida
Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk
I Gotta Feelin - Black Eye Peas
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Take It Off - Ke$ha

That's 10 of Coach Marilyn's picks - what are YOURS?