This week I learnt something new about music, and I solved an exercise problem I had for many years.
The problem was finding songs that are the same speed as my running pace. For a long time, I will play dance or electronic music whenever I do cardio at the gym, but most of the time, I found these songs to be slower than my running pace and I often had to look at my phone and forward to the next song in the midst of the run, which was firstly not very safe, and secondly also not good for momentum.
The solution came in the form of this iPhone app called BPM which allows you to determine the speed of the song simply by tapping the screen to the beat of the song. With this app, I spent a whole night updating BPM information on itunes and searching online for songs that were great for running.
I was quite surprised to find out that what we conventionally deem as a fast song, is not really that fast in terms of BPM. A typical pop/dance song ranges about 120 BPM - 140 BPM (e.g. Raise Your Glass: 123 BPM, Bad Romance: 120 BPM) but generally a person's running pace is faster than that. Through testing with different music speeds, I found out my running pace was quite close to 150 BPM, which explained why running left me breathless while taking a dance class usually did not. (In case you did not get it, Dance class - popular music - speed from 120 BPM to 140 BPM - heart doesnt have to beat so fast - Not breathless.)
So after experimenting for a few runs and downloading several new songs at that BPM , I am proud to present Lehlioman's 跑步听 (my running playlist):
1. My Life Would Suck Without You - Kelly Clarkson (~144 BPM)
I find the guitar rifts at the front a great way to get perked up and kickstart a run.
2. That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings (~144 BPM)
I usually will run and mime the chorus with accompanying hand clapping. Quite fun.
3. Marry You - Bruno Mars (~146 BPM)
The pounding beat is always helpful to keep me in pace.
4. Animal - Neon Trees (~148 BPM) / All The Small Things - Blink 182 (~149 BPM)
While most pop/dance songs are too slow to run to, many rock songs are just nice and these are two of them.
5. Alright - Supergrass (~149 BPM)
Happy song. Great for outdoor running in a sunny day.
6. Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) - Pink (~150 BPM)
7. Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison (~150 BPM)
My favourite mass dance song from JC days became one of my favourite running songs 15 years later.
8. 自由 - 李心洁 (~150 BPM)
I am sure there are more great Chinese songs out there that are suited for running, but this one is my favourite right now.
9. Breakdown - Jack Johnson / I'm Yours - Jason Mraz (~151 BPM)
Cant run to Lady Gaga but can run to Jason Mraz? I was surprised to find that both these breezy easy listening songs, which are really 75 BPM songs, make great running companions too. (Note: For I'm Yours, I am referring to the normal version, and not the acoustic version that is slightly slower.)
10. Mickey - Tony Basil (~151 BPM)
I imagine 20 cheerleaders running behind me when this song comes on.
11. Leave! - V V Brown (~151 BPM)
One of my favourite songs from 2010, little known, but absolutely shiok for running
12. Pump It - The Black Eyed Peas (~154 BPM)
The speed picks up a little, great for the dash to the end.
If you share my running pace, give them a try during your next run. If you know of any other great running songs that never fail to get you going, do let me know. Variety is always good when it comes to a cardio workout.
The problem was finding songs that are the same speed as my running pace. For a long time, I will play dance or electronic music whenever I do cardio at the gym, but most of the time, I found these songs to be slower than my running pace and I often had to look at my phone and forward to the next song in the midst of the run, which was firstly not very safe, and secondly also not good for momentum.
The solution came in the form of this iPhone app called BPM which allows you to determine the speed of the song simply by tapping the screen to the beat of the song. With this app, I spent a whole night updating BPM information on itunes and searching online for songs that were great for running.
I was quite surprised to find out that what we conventionally deem as a fast song, is not really that fast in terms of BPM. A typical pop/dance song ranges about 120 BPM - 140 BPM (e.g. Raise Your Glass: 123 BPM, Bad Romance: 120 BPM) but generally a person's running pace is faster than that. Through testing with different music speeds, I found out my running pace was quite close to 150 BPM, which explained why running left me breathless while taking a dance class usually did not. (In case you did not get it, Dance class - popular music - speed from 120 BPM to 140 BPM - heart doesnt have to beat so fast - Not breathless.)
So after experimenting for a few runs and downloading several new songs at that BPM , I am proud to present Lehlioman's 跑步听 (my running playlist):
I find the guitar rifts at the front a great way to get perked up and kickstart a run.
I usually will run and mime the chorus with accompanying hand clapping. Quite fun.
3. Marry You - Bruno Mars (~146 BPM)
The pounding beat is always helpful to keep me in pace.
While most pop/dance songs are too slow to run to, many rock songs are just nice and these are two of them.
Happy song. Great for outdoor running in a sunny day.
6. Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) - Pink (~150 BPM)
My favourite mass dance song from JC days became one of my favourite running songs 15 years later.
I am sure there are more great Chinese songs out there that are suited for running, but this one is my favourite right now.
9. Breakdown - Jack Johnson / I'm Yours - Jason Mraz (~151 BPM)
Cant run to Lady Gaga but can run to Jason Mraz? I was surprised to find that both these breezy easy listening songs, which are really 75 BPM songs, make great running companions too. (Note: For I'm Yours, I am referring to the normal version, and not the acoustic version that is slightly slower.)
I imagine 20 cheerleaders running behind me when this song comes on.
One of my favourite songs from 2010, little known, but absolutely shiok for running
12. Pump It - The Black Eyed Peas (~154 BPM)
The speed picks up a little, great for the dash to the end.
If you share my running pace, give them a try during your next run. If you know of any other great running songs that never fail to get you going, do let me know. Variety is always good when it comes to a cardio workout.
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