For the longest time I didn’t train to my own music. My iPod (given to me by a friend years before) was stolen from my car when some “youth” hoodlums busted the window and I never bothered to buy a new one. I didn’t like the idea of shuffling through the music to find the perfect song, messing with the volume and other settings instead of focusing on my workout.
I was wrong.
I purchased an MP3 player a couple months ago and I noticed an absolutely huge change in the quality of my training. Far more aggressive, lifting heavier and taking shorter rests. To get pumped up I walk around the gym with my mood enhancing tunes until I’m ready to attack the weights and then it’s on!
Music is a necessity in the gym. The right music takes you to a new level. The right music will turn your workout from ‘ok’ or ‘good’ to ‘monster‘.
Music makes a huge difference. Music makes ALL the difference. Music that moves you and makes you want to move puts you in a more aggressive state of mind and helps you hit the weights harder. Music fires you up more than anything.
It wouldn’t matter so much if one were able to work out in silence or to the simple clanking of weights, but that is impossible in almost any gym. All gyms play music for teenage girls, the most inappropriate workout music known to man. Even trying to ignore that baloney it still affects your workout in a negative way. Working out to your own music is the only solution unless you like working out to teeny pop.
Heavy music that pumps you up, Ballads that remind you of pretty little Mary Sue in the 7th grade and flood you with emotion, Hip Hop that has an animal beat, music that transports you into another world, music that FIRES YOU UP - it all helps to push us further in the gym.
The right music can transport you into beast mode in the gym. Music is a way to manufacture a feeling. To feel energized listen to energetic music. To feel happy listen to happy music. To feel sad listen to sad music. To get into the mindset of a gym warrior, listen to a warrior’s music.
Gym time is no time to be a music snob. Pick the music that pumps you up, not the music that makes you cooler and smarter than everyone else.
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The Official BOLD & DETERMINED Gym Playlist:
Hard and Heavy:
Pantera : Mouth for War / A New Level / I’m Broken
Hatebreed : I Will Be Heard / Facing What Consumes You
Slayer : Here Comes the Pain
Metal is the gym music. The above songs were just made to pump iron to.
Rock n Roll:
AC/DC : If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
Godsmack : I Stand Alone
Coheed and Cambria : Welcome Home
These rock songs are full of fire and energy.
Hip Hop:
Necro ft. Jamey Jasta : Push it to the Limit / Push it to the Limit Version 2 (one of the top 5 best lifting songs of all time)
Tech N9ne : The Beast / Riotmaker
Achozen : Deuces
Ill Bill ft. Immortal Technique and Max Cavalera : War is My Destiny
BOLD & DETERMINED hates rap but these songs are full of fire.
Ballads / Soft:
Dwight Yokam : A Thousand Miles From Nowhere
Sun Kil Moon : Duk Koo Kim
Guns N Roses : Don’t Cry
These songs are great for light-weight days or cardio days. These aren’t pump-up songs, these are songs for steady-state work.
Fun:
Survivor : Eye of the Tiger (Rocky Theme Song)
Hulk Hogan : I Am a Real American
Nine Inch Nails : Closer (Seven Remix)
These songs make you want to get up and kill and do it with a smile.
Check out one of these songs before gym time and get FIRED UP!
Post your favorite gym tunes in the comment section.
An artist named Stic……he has a mixtape called The Workout.
Its an entire rap cd devoted clearly to working out.
I know you said you don’t like rap music but I highly recommend you at least check it out.
Especially the INTRO!!!!
Marquise,
Link the tunes/video/youtube and I’ll check it out. I’m always on the hunt for the next music that fires me up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Guizh6GEFgI
Intro above
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M_Mt1pwkvw
one song off the album
Marquise,
That’s too rappy for me but we’ll keep the links here for everyone else to check out.
Hey man would love to see that “How to get over a breakup” post you mentioned in the poll not so long ago!
Keep up the awesome work with this blog! Keeps me motivated as a motherf**cker!
Zack,
That post will make an appearance soon. ty for the compliment.
Music tempo has the same effect on driving:-
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2032-fast-music-linked-to-car-crashes.html
I find it difficult to concentrate with music on though, music before/between sets seems to work well.
I’ll believe that. I used to drive on the highways like a maniac when I was both pumped on adrenaline and playing certain songs.
re: I find it difficult to concentrate with music on though, music before/between sets seems to work well.
Gym tunes are used to pump you up for the set, during the set I don’t even hear the music - unless it’s lightweight, pro-longed set and then the rhythm of the music becomes the rhythm of the set as if it were a dance.
I listen to EPIC battle music from some video games and action movies.
Good Epic Battle Songs:
O Fortuna-Carl Off
Duel of the Fates-John Williams
O Verona-Craig Armstrong
He’s A Pirate-Hans Zimmer
Dan,
Post some links so we can check out the tunes.
O Fortuna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXLDJt8uJzA&feature=related
Duel of the Fates (from Star Wars: The Phatom Menace)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzVBqBosf5w
O Verona (from Romeo + Juliet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_osIEMhDDls
He’s a Pirate (from Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s17XDrKuqc4
BONUS!!!
Dethroned-X Ray Dog
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_RmLJDriBo&feature=fvst
Requiem for a Tower-Mvt. 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq9JCjYAGcw
AND THE SONG TO PLAY WHEN THE WORKOUT IS DONE…..
Finish the Fight-Halo 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJGlhWVaic
Dan,
I’ll be checking those songs out Monday morning.
Andrew WK. If this doesn’t pump you up than idk what will http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a9jhTNrMUo
Will,
I don’t care for the music but that video fired me up. He’s clearly a lifter too. Good video.
It’s not music, but this short clip always fires me up! It represents the point in time when you stop being scared, and make up your mind to go the distance no matter what.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMZNrE8TMng
Jeff,
Great clip. Rocky (1-6) is one of the favorites at BOLD & DETERMINED. Especially Rocky Balboa.
Anything by Amon Amarth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edBYB1VCV0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scPMlQLK7yM
I’m a big fan of “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor” by Drowning Pool and the new album “American Capitalist” by Five Finger Death Punch:
Let the Bodies Hit the Floor:
http://grooveshark.com/s/Bodies+Remix+/3yyywM?src=5
American Capitalist:
http://grooveshark.com/album/American+Capitalist/7038224
I’ve never been much a death metal fan, but these songs have changed my perspective.
Tom,
I’ve heard ‘bodies’ but I’ve never heard the other. I’ll give it a listen.
Kataklysm- “Taking the world by storm”
Winds of plague- “A cold day in hell”
Amon Amarth- “Twilight of the thundergod
Just a few off my mp3 I can think of that get me pumped. That is, if you like the hardcore metal stuff
Robert,
Post the links so we can check the songs out.
Jumpin Jack Flash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9XKVTNs1g4
Truckin by the Grateful Dead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pafY6sZt0FE
Detroit Rock City by KISS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZq3i94mSsQ
Holy Diver by Dio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCpRrLIVyGc
brainwave entrainment, usually gamma or beta level works quite good for physical activities.
I gotta be honest with you partner, I don’t know what brainwave entertainment is.
To those unfamiliar, brainwave entrainment works on the idea that by producing certain sounds at certain frequencies, your brain will match those frequencies. Each frequency has it’s own function, from high activity, insight or levels of sleeping.
Not sure if there is any actual effect on the brain or not, but that’s the gist of it.
I’m getting my timeless rock ‘n roll together on my MP3 player before I start the 30 days of discipline. Thought I’d share some of these gems I’ve been listening to:
Rebel Rebel by David Bowie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4SLXaF-lIc
Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMbATaj7Il8
20th Century Boy by T. Rex:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylww2dOW7fg
Cold Shot by Stevie Ray Vaughan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2ou-WIxfLY&ob=av2e
Gimme Danger by Iggy Pop & The Stooges:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_hegaKOaY
Miss You (ext. version) by the Rolling Stones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDaC0hKzpmg
Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn2-b_opVTo
No More Mr. Guy by Alice Cooper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0YrXjeRSoE
Roadhouse Blues (live) by the Doors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9GDiYU0-I
I need some serious good Hardcore music to get i the right pumped gym mode…..Here are some of my favorites:
First Blood - Next Time I See You, You’re Dead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUGjkGVO8rI
Terror - Push It Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT-77_AeQXI&feature=related
Madball - Set It Off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA-ox1qNryI
Shattered Realm - this World Is Mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vccEjdlWnUQ
Try out Onward to Victory by Icepick, the song makes me feel like an animal, song is also used by UFC heavyweight Andrei Arlovski for his entrances
Fuck yeah. I thankfully have a gym where I actually CAN work out in silence/clanking (and they’re the only gym in my area that also allows dropping the bar), but whenever I’m forced to work out in another gym, I’ve got heavy metal playing on my MP3 player.
The silence is a good feeling isn’t it. Hate that shitty gym music.
Also, my favorite lifting song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPd0ICErfF0
My best playlist is all Five Finger Death Punch. I always kill it when that’s playing!
I shrugged more than my bodyweight while under the influence of Bangarang or Do Da Oliphaunt by Skrillex. No Pain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR2XilcGYOo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPFPxMxxQ7w
This is the only workout song I’ll ever need: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWo__6Xn6Qs
That’s cool for you kids. If you need music to motivate you to work out, you should probably just do something else. I like the sound of my heart beatin’ though my chest when I’m 8 plates in the hole. Used to use my ipod religiously but hated the power it had over me, now I lift in silence.
“Bottom of The Well” - My vote for B&D theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uths4S2enj0
Airbourne always gets me fired up. Especially when the vid’s about training and becoming a badass.
This song makes you lift like a hungry juggernaut on a mission OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWW:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAg6whO8gs4
Any song from MANOWAR does the trick!
For me the best workout album is Hail to the King by Avenged Sevenfold, especially the song Hail to the king. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelhLppPSxY
Mouth for War = Boldandetermined
I have always thought it, and now i confirm it.
Damn buddy, you’re the first person to ever put it together. I’ve been waiting 3 years. Consider yourself a Bold and Determined VIP - any new release we put together will be free for you and you will receive my current e-books in your email shortly.
Anyone who can guess the movie that = Bold and determined will also be a VIP.
Here’s the simple math: Victor Pride + Mouth for War + secret movie = Bold and Determined.
Rocky!
Fight Club?
Vic,
The movie is 300!
Nothing fits better.
Must be 300!
NZT 48 must be it
The movie is Spartan
Thanks vic
If there’s a soundtrack to your website it will probably be Pantera’s album Vulgar Display Of Power.
It is.
This site has given me so much, so here are a couple songs that fire me up consistently.
Here you go guys,
Disturbed- get physco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VF0XdhYCw
Pain redefined
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psy_Ohh4sH8
The night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyctTU_0FiM
Saliva- click, click, boom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psy_Ohh4sH8
Busta Rymes feat linkin park- we made it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYxzRYMrcVc
Kid Rock- bawitdaba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSz95zceQfQ
there’s a couple to get you started. If this music fires you up and you want a couple more let me know
Conan the Barbarian, my guess for movie.
Rammstein - Sonne
Best song to workout on, get’s you pumped up like a german war machine
Eminem - Lose Yourself
When times are tough get back to working out you pussy!
Rammstein Sonne
Gets you pumped up like a german warrior
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIBeYoP9Wi0
Eminem - Lose Yourself
When times are tough, get in the gym you pussy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmXumtgwtak
Young Jeezy - I Luv It
Eminem - Till I Collapse
Nas - N.Y. State Of Mind
DMX - Intro
Roy Jones Jr. - Can’t Be Touched
One of my favourite heavy songs is “Zevuun harts” (Evil Eye) by the Mongolian heavy metal band Hurd (Speed), from their album “Uncomparable” (2005).
http://www.xyyp.mn/a/OItkUFPNKn/ (lyrics page, plays the song automatically, lyrics are in Mongolian)
Another song I like off that same album is “Alt” (Gold):
http://www.xyyp.mn/a/QzBSvacJxE/
I did a pretty intense workout to these songs while reading your blog.
Oasis - Fuckin’ in the Bushes (2000) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9I3CwSXhd40
This should get you pumped up and give you chills
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQwkO3Rxr4
Check out the Prodigy. Theyve got some songs that can really fire you up.
Hey mate,
After remembering this article from a while back, i thought i’d vouch for listening to only one song in the gym.
I’ve listened to a lot of shit, but i find i come back to the track Mombasa by Hans Zimmer, from the Inception soundtrack. Very fast paced and dynamic, brings good intensity to my workouts. From about 2 minutes 50 onwards is epic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux6AxOnGZRw
Cheers
Sick of It All - Injustice System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTXFf3GAJLs&feature=kp
Hi, Vic! Nice job with the site, it really gets me going. You should listen to this> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIvVZRUxlEU
Stronger- Kanye West, my curse- killswitch engaged
This get’s me in the killing-spree-mood every time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYLWEezk0nk
Vic, look up Andre Nickatina - Blood In My Hair. Never gets old.
I remember reading this article long ago and that you mentioned Pantera.
You are also a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger so I thought I’d share this band with you. It’s brutal and funny at the same time, haha.
It’s a band that parodies Arnold and his films: Austrian Death Machine.
Here is their first album in full:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66sQ3S6vS0
Cheers,
Daniel
I forgot to add … I’m not a big fan of rap anymore but there are a few songs that I used to listen to that stuck with me. This is the first that came to mind: Army Of The Pharaohs - “Seven”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlZgiK6FiO0
Nothing makes me squat and deadlift more than disturbed ” down with the sickness”
It used to be played in my old gym before it shut down. To this day when I hear it I still get flash backs of walking down the stairs into the legs room with my brother imagining our legs as hydraulic rams rather than legs. We were squatting 240kg’s back then
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq3QmtV8vT0
I love these songs when i work out
Ensiferum - Wanderer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tZB1RVh7M
Metallica - For whom the bell tolls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg92QpjRcJk
Scorpions - rock you like a hurricane
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw_Lf-JhdSU
Dwight Yoakam - Guitars Cadillacs (cheery song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DkcQ09h2Vo
Eluvietie - Slania song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx_8HBTsgGs
This one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvQkl7qa6RQ
My favourite tune…. no, my entrance theme is Atreyu - Blow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWrV6PqtLnA
My brothers,
Artist: Perturbator
Album: I Am the Night
Track: Raining Steel
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoBBbQOFyb0
Train hard
I like to listen to most slipknot songs while working out. It gets me really pumped up and gives me the extra 5% motivation and energy that I need for a great workout.