Music can be a powerful external influence on performance, especially in the gym. Although I don’t like to subscribe to the idea that you should rely on music in order to train productively, it certainly doesn’t hurt in most cases.
Here’s a rundown of my favorite training playlist, which is always a go-to for meets, max-outs, or just those especially demanding workouts.
(Songs are listed in no particular order)
1. The Ecstasy of Gold – Ennio Morricone
Western fans will recognize this from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly with Clint Eastwood. I love how it intensifies from beginning to end and it always puts me in mind of an impending showdown.
2. Bulls On Parade – Rage Against The Machine
What better time to act like a bull in a china shop?
3. 2nd Sucks – A Day To Remember
Name says it all.
4. Promontory – Trevor Jones
If this instrumental doesn’t make you want to run through the woods with a musket and warclub to exact vengeance on your nemesis, I don’t know what to tell you… or maybe just watch The Last of The Mohicans.
5. Bleed It Out – Linkin Park
This song never seems to be long enough.
6. To Live Is To Die – Metallica
Basically an instrumental, but I love the heaviness of the guitar riff throughout this song.
7. Shadow Moses – Bring Me The Horizon
Roses are red / Violets are blue / When I listen to Bring Me The Horizon / My neighbors do too
8. Romance Is Dead – Parkway Drive
I love Parkway Drive’s breakdowns, and this song might have my favorite one of them all.
9. Aerials – System of a Down
It always strikes me how much people debate the meanings behind many of System of a Down’s songs. No matter what you believe this one to be about, you can’t deny that the guitar and drums in this song sound incredible.
10. One – Metallica
Probably my favorite Metallica song. If you listen to it for the first time and think it’s too light – wait. This song takes a while to build up steam and saves the best for the end.
11. Glass Shatters – Disturbed
If you grew up when I did during “The Attitude Era” of professional wrestling, you’ll be looking around for Stone Cold Steve Austin when this song comes on, and that’s the bottom line…
12. Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins
This song will make you feel like you have something to prove.
13. No More Tears – Ozzy Osbourne
A macabre song about predator and prey, with the never-disappointing Zakk Wylde on guitar.
14. This Love – Pantera
My strength coach in high school used to make us listen to his homemade “weight room mix” CD… it was actually just all Pantera.
15. All of the Lights – THE SCND (Kanye West cover)
I’m not a huge rap fan (if you haven’t noticed already from the list thus far), but I do like to listen to it on occasion. This song is a rock cover of the Kanye West original, so I don’t know that you could still classify it as rap, but it sounds awesome nonetheless, especially the intro.
16. I Am The Fire – Halestorm
If you ever need personal reassurance, listen to this song and shout out the chorus alongside Lzzy Hale.
17. Them Bones – Alice In Chains
Everything about this song sounds heavy and menacing. Throw a great guitar solo in the middle and you have a solid training song.
18. Wait And Bleed – Slipknot
This song is a descriptor of turning the corner from civilized to violent, kind of like the switch you hit right before you get under a big weight.
19. War Pigs – Various Artists
I’ve heard many covers of this song and the majority of them don’t disappoint. The original is by Black Sabbath (live recording at Ozzfest is recommended), though I also really like Zakk Wylde’s version. There’s even a rendition by the Foo Fighters featuring Zac Brown that’s pretty good. Pick your poison.
20. The Chain – Fleetwood Mac
Eerily suspenseful, both lyrically and instrumentally. The buildup to Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar solo is unforgettable. An all-around favorite.
21. Kashmir – Led Zeppelin
Hands down my favorite Zeppelin song and probably my favorite song of all time. The ominous riff, the mysterious lyrics, sharp vocals, and John Bonham sounding like a silverback gorilla on drums makes for an amazing piece of music. This song still stands powerfully after more than 40 years.
You can find this playlist (with some minor modifications) on Spotify. Just search for “PR Playlist” under the playlists tab. Attached username is ethanwaltz. Now go turn it up to 11 and get training.
Feel free to comment with any questions or thoughts; you can also contact me directly at strengthscrolls@gmail.com
Thanks for reading!
Strength Scrolls 