Why is that on your iPod?

           Ok, I only have a teeny, tiny iPod Shuffle; the old version. I just don’t use it enough to justify buying a big fancy iPod. I only use it at the gym; which is why I have the small one and since I only use it at the gym I have some strange music on it.

            I typically listen to classic rock, but I can tolerate almost anything, except country. When I first started using my iPod I programmed all my favorites: Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Who, Pearl Jam, Rolling Stones, Queen, etc. There was something wrong though, because I wasn’t feeling motivated when I was at the gym alone and relied on my iPod to motivate me and help me pass the time. Then it hit me; I love this music, but it’s not pumping me up…I needed old school 80’s and 90’s rap!

            Once I realized that I needed Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Ludacris, Ice Cube, and all of my other favorite rap stars to get my through my workouts, I was set. Now it’s no big surprise to have my play list go from ODB’s “Got Your Money” to Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” or Dre’s “Nuthin’ but a “G” Thang” to Pearl Jam’s “Alive”. I still kept my regular play list too, but now it’s just mixed up with music that can really pump me up! Sometimes the song transitions make me laugh and I wonder who else would really enjoy my strange play list.

            Sometimes I wonder what other people are listening to when they are at the gym. Then because it's me, I decide to make a game out of it and tell myself what other people are listening to. I will pick someone out and I run through strange songs that might be on their iPod. For example; let’s say I’m people watching a giant meat head and he is rocking out to whatever he is listening to. Then I tell myself that he’s listening to “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor or “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood. Then I get that song in my head and watch that guy lift and check himself out in the mirror. It’s a fun game. You should try it.

            All in all, I know that I’m not the only person that feels motivated by music, specific genres of music, or specific songs while I’m working out! Everyone has those secret playlists that they reserve for themselves.