melody

If you don’t train to music you are missing out on one of the greatest non-drug induced rushes ever.

Studies are filled with accounts of what music can do to your training soul. One study looked at indoor cycling and the reaction its participants had when music and light were introduced. Just when music alone entered in their sense of pleasure noticeably increased.

Another cycling music study tested what would happen when participants had no music or music was introduced at certain intervals. When music was introduced there was an increase in speed and involvement in the activity. This shows the obvious power that music can have in performance and mental status.

There is a lot more to this subject that I want to touch on later but for now I want to provide you with the first volume of “The Melody Principle” series.

The Rules

There are a few “rules” that apply when training with music that a lot of people don’t follow and because of this they miss out on the true rush that it can give. If you follow these rules the next time you train you might find a whole new world and experience has opened up.

Rule #1 – Let Go

You can’t be worried about how you look. You can’t be worried about getting into the moment and feeling it. You can’t worry about the guy next to you thinking you are crazy or if you let out noise. This isn’t about what others think about you. This is about having intensity and a moment with yourself.

Rule #2 – Your Soundtrack, Not Theirs

In general most training can go along just fine with a proper headphone system so you should never let a gym or club play DJ to your session. Unless you have an atmosphere that is prime for your style (some get lucky with a good gym) you need to control your music.

Rule #3 – The Art of the Mix

A good training mix shouldn’t always be left to shuffle. Sure sometimes you can throw in a bunch of songs and do your thing, but a perfectly composed mixed can do so much to pump you up at the right times. Take the time to organize your tracks according to how you feel when you are training. Do you need a pick me up midway through your session? Does everything depend on that first beat? Do you need more pensive music for your cool down?

Figure out your flow and set up your mix accordingly.

Rule #4 – Embrace Slow Tempo

Not every song has to be fast paced and hard hitting. A chilled out tempo can be awesome for more steady cardio or mixed intervals.

The Melody Principle
Volume -1 – Hi, I am Well Rounded

This first mix is an introduction to a few snippets in the my training music vault.  Think of it like us meeting at a party and my (hot) friend turns to introduce me and says “Hi, this is Leigh. She enjoys making obscure pop culture references while watching tv, kung fu movies, and kitten pictures with funny captions.” This is like that, only through a cd.

1. My Morning Jacket – One Big Holiday
2.The Rolling Stones – Gimmie Shelter
3. The Go Team! -Grip Like A Vice
4. Mos Def – Blue Black Jack
5. The Four Tops – Bernadette
6. Architecture in Heliski – One Heavy February
7. CSS – Music is my Hot Hot Sex
8. Tom Petty – American Girl
9. Patti Smith – Free Money
10. Lucero – She Wakes When She Dreams
11. Morcheeba – Blindfold
12. Stars- The Night Starts Here
13.  New Order – ShellShock
14. Metric – Gimme Sympathy

Your turn, share your mix.

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Feature song of the playlist

Metric – Gimme Sympathy


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