Listen while you Work...Out

Nashvillebill · Post by **Nashvillebill** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:31 pm

So does anyone listen to classical music while you work out or run or do any type of excercise? if so what do you listen too or any suggestions? I'm planning on a little experiment with my work out schedule and wanted to change the music up a bit from my regular stuff and see if it makes a difference.

peace!
Bill

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:44 pm

Back in upstate New York I have been wont to frequent a work-out place that I shall not name for fear of being accused of libel. Not that it is so awful, because I do go back there again and again, but because it plays top pops over the AP and I just can't stand it. I have complained, but apparently they have a relationship with the radio station and could not stay in business otherwise. It is so gawd awful that you would not believe it. It's not even good pop/rock, if there is such a thing.

Modernistfan · Post by **Modernistfan** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:53 pm

I do, and my choices are probably a bit unusual. I generally prefer works of Russian or Eastern European origin, perhaps because of the tremendous rhythmic drive that much of this stuff has. Examples are the Prokofiev Fifth Symphony, the "Chout" and "Pas d'Acier" ballets, also by Prokofiev, the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Symphonies of Shostakovich, as well as some of his film music, including "The New Babylon," and a number of works by Rimsky-Korsakov, including the "Golden Cockerel" and "Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh" suites. Others include the Tchaikovsky Second, Fourth, and Fifth Symphonies.

Another example is Mahler's Sixth Symphony with its insistent march rhythms (although generally considered Austrian, Mahler was actually born in what is now a part of the Czech Republic, albeit one that was largely German-speaking at that time).

Another really offbeat one is Ervin Schulhoff's Fifth Symphony (try James Conlon's recording on Capriccio). Schulhoff was another German-speaking Czech whose life ended prematurely, age 48, in a German concentration camp during WWII.

Although I love a lot of atonal, arhythmic, ultramodern stuff, that music doesn't cut it for that purpose.

BWV 1080 · Post by **BWV 1080** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:59 pm

If I can find a MP3 player that works underwater then I will.

Before I took up swimming more or less exclusive exercise, I listened to quite a bit of Carter and Lutoslawski while lifting weights. However the best thing to counter booming radio is harpsichord music as the dynamic levels are constant and the sound cuts through alot of ambient noise.

Post by **Corlyss_D** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:05 pm

Nashvillebill wrote:do any type of excercise?

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:55 pm

I'm a strength trainer, and I find that classical is as effective if not more effective than any kind of club music in getting the blood flowing and the mind focused. I train in the mornings at a university gym, and they have a satellite radio system that is tuned to classical until 9:00 A.M. (just the time when I finish my workouts, too).

One of my workout buddies, Bob, shares an interest in classical music and opera. We're constantly playing 'name that piece' with the morning soundtrack!

Auntie Lynn · Post by **Auntie Lynn** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:23 pm

Gipsy Kings, Creedence Clearwater and the Beach Boys...

Nashvillebill · Post by **Nashvillebill** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:14 pm

Those are some very good suggestions as for what to listen to. I hadn't thought of the marches or anything like that but anything realy rhythmic and driving would be great. I'll have to pull some of those titles and make a nice mix.

If I can find a MP3 player that works underwater then I will.

I know there are a few contraptions that keep mp3 players dry underwater but not sure how effective they are.

check out this site which might help with that!
http://www.waterproofmusic.com/index.html

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:22 pm

The music in the fitness center where I regularly go would drown out any CD on a Discman. I just ignore it.

jbuck919 · Post by **jbuck919** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:37 pm

Ralph wrote:The music in the fitness center where I regularly go would drown out any CD on a Discman. I just ignore it.

Truthfully, Ralph, and I am not being in one of my silly moods, you should complain. I have to put up with whatever crap those dumbells (and I don't mean the exercise weights) think works for them back in Glens Falls, but you don't have to put up with anything in the New York Metropolitan Area where there must be choices and the power of voting with your feet. It can't be doing your heart any good to have to put up with that, well, excrement, when you're trying to make it better with exercise.

There is a splendid gym on the post here, and I put up with mild, fairly quiet music from a German pops station. I have to think they know what works best for soldiers. In case anyone did not know this, almost all pop music is in English no matter where in Europe one might be. Too much trouble, I suppose, to translate as the Beatles did (Komm, gib mire deine Hand), or perhaps a realization that the words make no difference at all, or perhaps in the end the "music" either.

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 10:49 pm

jbuck919 wrote:
Ralph wrote:The music in the fitness center where I regularly go would drown out any CD on a Discman. I just ignore it.
Truthfully, Ralph, and I am not being in one of my silly moods, you should complain. I have to put up with whatever crap those dumbells (and I don't mean the exercise weights) think works for them back in Glens Falls, but you don't have to put up with anything in the New York Metropolitan Area where there must be choices and the power of voting with your feet. It can't be doing your heart any good to have to put up with that, well, excrement, when you're trying to make it better with exercise.

There is a splendid gym on the post here, and I put up with mild, fairly quiet music from a German pops station. I have to think they know what works best for soldiers. In case anyone did not know this, almost all pop music is in English no matter where in Europe one might be. Too much trouble, I suppose, to translate as the Beatles did (Komm, gib mire deine Hand), or perhaps a realization that the words make no difference at all, or perhaps in the end the "music" either.

*****

Most of the customers seem quite content with the music played. I'm there for a specific purpose. I don't enjoy exercise. I go in, do my thing and leave. Sure, it would be great if they played Dittersdorf but they won't.

mourningstar · Post by **mourningstar** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:01 pm

I hate the music they play at my local fitniss center,.. it's house or something, something really electronical..

very very annoying

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