What happened to my playlist?

Hours spent finding the perfect mix for the perfect work out, categorized by my day: arms, legs, cardio, etc. I had different needs for different work outs and the unreliable music played in the gym couldn't capture my ambition and motivate me properly.

Cardio days were great for dance/club/house music as it left me feeling empowered with a vigorous dose of “you go girl”! When Britney Spears started pumping through my ear buds, “you better work Bitch”, I took it personal, I hit it hard on that treadmill or elliptical. I didn't want a Maserati or a Lamborghini but I could relate to wanting to look hot in a bikini! Seriously, who really wants to wear a one piece?

Legs day, punk music was my drug of choice. I am old school in my punk so I was rocking some ALL, Descendents, Queens of the Stone age and so forth. There was something so uplifting and inspirational in those angry lyrics. Although, some were particularly hard to make out, the energy behind them really pushed me. When the Descendents would get political or ALL would start bashing an EX, I could relate to their struggle and push harder.

Arms day, bring on the 90’s Alternative Rock. I am a 90’s junkie because the majority of my youth and teenage years were spent in them (1982 baby). I needed my 90’s music because I HATED arms day! My upper body was so weak back then. My husband would put me on a shoulder press / military press at 25 pounds and listen to me bitch, wine and moan through my 5 sets of 10. So I really needed some teenage angst from KORN, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam to get me through the suck. Jeremy know’s whats up.

All this music that fueled me and pushed me and evoked emotions in me was suddenly not necessary any longer. Excuse me, WHAT? Enter: Crossfit. When you get into your box, you are at the mercy of the coach and their playlist. Our box uses the Strength/Skill and MetCon programing. So while you are over there trying to bust out a new PR during your strength training you tend to forget about music. You focus on form, breathing, reps and engaging the proper muscles to complete your lift. I don't even hear the music until I have to rest.

When you get into your MetCon/WOD, for me, it’s about survival. I am focused on form, breathing, completion, time and counting my reps. Before I go into a WOD, I am breaking it apart to find where I need to rest, what my goals are per round, how to regulate my breathing, what my weight is going to be and putting myself into a YOU CAN DO IT mentality. There is absolutely no time to be concerned about music and if I find myself listening to the music, I know I am breaking concentration and need to re-group.

So what happens outside of the box when I get back into those “globo gyms”? I don’t take my ear phones any longer unless I am on a stationary bike working out my knee (the most boring shit ever). I have found that my work outs in these facilities have been ruined by Crossfit and at the same time, improved by Crossfit. The positive side is before, I didn't understand breathing techniques in my running or lifting and it showed in the quality and longevity of my work out. The bad is when I am in the “globo gyms” I find myself bored and I struggle to change my mindset so I can work on my weakness and isolate.

Music has always been and will always be a huge part of my life (Pandora is jamming while I write this, House music if you’re interested). I will always be that woman who has a play list for everything: blogging, cleaning, remembering a moment in time or just relaxing. However, I have learned to rely on my own ambition, emotions and determination to be successful in my work outs, in or out of Crossfit. Most importantly, I have learned to be present in the moment and focus on myself.

#playlist