My Favourite Songs to Train To

My Favourite Songs to Train To

In my most recent episode of the podcast with Conor Galgey, we discussed the positive impact that music has on our training. 

This got me thinking about what I feel are the songs with the most potent performance-enhancing effects. Obviously this list is entirely subjective, but you might find something in here that you'll enjoy.

All of these songs can be found on my Garden Gains spotify playlist, with over 8 hours of music. Give it a follow. 

Punch The Clock Songs

These are the songs that I play for most of my sessions, as most sessions are simply punching the clock. You get in, you get what you need done, but you don't push so hard that you're fucked for the next training day.

This kind of music lets me tune out any distractions. Unsurprisingly, these all work great as driving songs as well. 

'Ohio' - Crosby, Nash, and Stills

This song feels like driving through Ohio. I'd know, I've been there. It's actually pretty nice. 

'Interstate Love Song' - Stone Temple Pilots 

Maybe the greatest 'I'm training even though I'm dying of a hangover' song. 

'Stranglehold' - Ted Nugent 

This song is so good that it was UFC champ Randy Couture's walk-in theme. 

'Roadhouse Blues' - The Doors

Morrison shouting "save our city!" is one of my favourite moments in rock n' roll history. 

'Cowboy Song' - Thin Lizzy 

Hard to go wrong with Lizzy. Harmonising dual guitar solos are standard fare. 

Let 'Er Rip Songs

This is when it's time to summon the demons and push hard. I try to save these songs for sets where I'm pushing for a personal record of some kind. 

'For Whom the Bell Tolls' - Metallica 

This might be the perfect metal song. Super simple, crushing riffs, thunderous drums, and singing about impending doom. 

'Club Foot' - Kasabian 

This song was deservedly used for thousands of sport highlight reels in the naughties. 

'I'll Cut You Down' - Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats 

An unappreciated gem. This band brought back psychedelic rock and made it **** heavy. 

'Killed by Death' - Motorhead 

This song is Lemmy spitting in the face of the Grim Reaper. When I die, please play this at my funeral. 

'When the Levee Breaks' - Led Zeppelin 

The greatest drum performance I've ever heard in a song, and yet it's super stripped back. Most people would pick 'Immigrant Song' or 'Heartbreaker', but I think this was Zeppelin at their heaviest. 

'Them Bones' - Alice in Chains

Most of these songs are really about accepting death. I guess that's pretty fitting if you're going for a 10 rep max on squats. 

Well, hope you enjoyed the list guys. It's pretty obvious that most of my music taste revolves rock-based music from the 70s - late 90s. I think that really was the peak for musicianship but hey, that's just like, my opinion man.