A warm up song is like a first impression. The first song that your students hear is going to set the tone for the rest of your class. You always want make sure you put some thought into your first song. I like to choose fast paced tunes with a great beat that make people smile.
I most often will choose songs that are familiar for the warm ups. Some times it's a newer release, but I also like to find classics that people may not have heard in a while. One way to keep familiar songs fresh is to use a remix or a mash-up. I love this Led Zeppelin/Doobie Brothers mashup. It combines two old favorites: Led Zeppelin's Trampled Under Foot, and the Doobie's classic Long Train Runnin'. At 4:27, it's perfect for a fast paced, in the saddle warm up.
As an Indoor Cycling Instructor one of the biggest challenges to me is satisfying so many diverse music needs in class and as well know you can't please all the riders all of the time. That's why for me mash-ups are a must to give my riders something they know mixed in a way that is new, entertaining and motivating, especially when you take something from the past and mix it up with the rhythm and energy of today.
In this case six different INXS tracks (I can still remember the first time I saw them play opening up for Men At Work's first world tour) with Magic Fly – Two Planets, for a nice 5min 125BPM track.
It gives you lots of potential for a variety of movements on the open road, and best of all if you use Mixmeister to put your play lists together with, you can tweaked the BPM down or up; 116-118 for use on a climb or setting up some jumps or try raising it up to 128BPM for some speed work.
Thanks to John, and his great mid-week surprise release for us to use in the beginning of our classes, the pressure is off me. However, we still need a great Friday Favorite, so here is something a little different to try for a quick and dirty climb at 63 rpm’s. I have been interjecting this as a change from fast intense climbing at 72-76 rpm’s, as a bit of a “break”. This American alternative rock duo is due to release a new album next month and I am looking forward to it. In the meantime, this 3:33 tune from Helio Sequence has their trademark ethereal sound with a nice strong beat. Enjoy “Can’t Say No” from the Keep Your Eyes Ahead album and keep your eyes open for their new album, out September 11, 2012.
Amy says:
An angelic acapella voice. We coach tenacity, consistency and persistence for 1:15 until slight instrumentals enter to support our rpm’s of 75. At 2:08, the guessing is gone and full instrumentals hit in mighty force to take us up the hill. This cover of Bryan Ferry/Tangerine Dream’s “Is Your Love Strong Enough?” is from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack and is by How to Destroy Angels. You may prefer the original, like John, or the cover like I do. (I like the acapella for a change of pace, although Bryan Ferry is always good). 4:30 of climbing goodness awaits. Enjoy!
John Says:
I agree that this cover is very powerful and could easily see using it in class. I prefer the original version because I instantly loved it the first time I heard it, during the closing credits of the movie Legend. If you haven't seen this cult classic, featuring a very young Tom Cruise and Tim Curry of Rocky Horror fame. it's worth renting 🙂 Bryan Ferry — Is Your Love Strong Enough?
