Back in the day, Pilate’s classes weren’t set to music. There was an instructor, you, and the works of Joseph Pilates. When I too, first taught Pilates, dare I say over 14-years ago, there was never music playing in class. As time passed, I started adding in calming ocean waves and background music as a touch of ambiance. As the years passed, and I started to play different styles of music, I found that the music helped to fuel my classes. The energy, especially in group classes was much higher, and you could feel clients energized and willing to really work hard with the music.
Researchers have long known that music and exercise both increase improvements in our overall health. Recently, more and more scientists are looking at the effects of music and exercise together and how they affect one’s workouts. They have found that, overall, people work out harder and are more consistent when music is involved. A study by clinical psychologist Charles Emery of Ohio State University looked at participants’ mental performance after exercising with music. They were given a verbal fluency test after exercising. The participants were each in the final week of a cardiac rehabilitation program. The results were amazing! I knew they would be good – but wow! On average, the people who listened to music while exercising performed twice as well on the test afterwards than the ones who did not listen to music. This indicates that mental performance can actually be improved when someone exercises with music.
I personally am a music lover, and have music playing be it while training privately, or on my Pilates mat, or Pilates-Barre classes. The music is always different depending on the class and the vibe of clients as they arrive for their workouts. I try to mix up the music weekly to help keep the energy fresh and clients enjoying their workouts.
To celebrate the amazing effects of music on our health, below is an upbeat 55-minute playlist that I created for one of my Pilates classes. As a fitness instructor, I am addicted to making new playlist that revolve around my moods and new music loves. I hope this playlist invigorates and energizes you as much as it does for my classes and I.
Tiesto & Hardwell, “Shimmer”
2. Kiesza, “Hideaway”
3. Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne, “Real Love”
4. Beyonce, “Halo (Dave Aude Club Remix)”
5. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream (Tommie Sunshine’s Remix)”
6. Britney Spears, “Circus (Villains Remix)”
7. Christina Aguilera, “Not Myself Tonight”
8. Alesso, “Heroes (feat Tove Lo)”
9. John Legend, ” All of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment)”
10. Coldplay, “A Sky Full of Stars (feat. Jess Glynne)
11. Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne, ” Rather Be”
12. Katy Perry, “Wide Awake”
When your current playlist runs dry, a fresh crop of songs is all that’s needed to bring new motivation to any type of workout. This playlist is great for Pilates classes, Barre Classes and even private training sessions.
Now, time to get your workout on!