If there is one thing to notice when walking into a gym, aside from the sea of equipment and the crowds of sweaty athletes, it is the headphones. Virtually everyone wears them, whether they’re running, benching, stretching or squatting. If almost everyone in the gym is listening to something, the question must come to mind: What is it?
Clara Zu (first year) said her playlist changes depending on what activity she’s doing.
“[Drake] gives me energy to workout,” Zu said. “But if I walk around in the gym or [use] machines, I usually listen to RnB — slower music. It helps me to calm down for stretching.”
Max Stanley (senior) said he plays on the Occidental soccer team and also works at the Alumni Fitness Center front desk.
“At the gym, it’s more of beat music to try and keep the reps in pace with the rhythm,” Stanley said. “But for soccer, it’s more of a mix of everything.”
Ashley MacDonald (sophomore) said she believes that music has a strong influence on her mood in the gym, and so her songs vary by workout as well.
“I have a hype-up playlist that is more rock music if I wanna lift weights or something like that. Or if I’m just on the treadmill, it’s more mellow, indie pop,” MacDonald said. “It kinda helps me focus, get in the zone, block out everything else that’s around me.”
Oury Diane, (senior) who plays on the Occidental soccer team and works at the Alumni Fitness Center front desk, said he has a couple of genres he switches between depending on his workout.
“When I’m running I usually listen to rap,” Diane said. “But when I’m lifting, I usually listen to Afrobeats because it keeps me in the mood and keeps me locked in.”
Stanley said he typically listens to 2010s pop music, especially Lady Gaga. When creating a workout playlist, Stanley said he specifically listens for the beat, where he often uses the rhythm to match his lifts.
MacDonald said Billie Eilish, Green Day and Blink-182 are other artists she enjoys.
“I have [a playlist] that’s called ‘girly pop’ and that’s a lot of Chappell Roan, and that’s good energy, good vibes,” MacDonald said.
Zu said “God’s Plan” by Drake is at the top of her list.
Diane said “Holy Ghost” by Omah Lay is one of his current favorite Afrobeats songs.
Zu said she believes music is a very social thing. According to Zu, she typically goes to the gym twice weekly, usually with friends.
“If my friends asked me to share [my gym playlist], I would share,” Zu said. “If I go out with my friends, I would definitely share with them and ask them what they are listening to.”
MacDonald also said that a lot of the songs she listens to come from her friends.
Zu, Stanley, MacDonald and Diane said they work out with friends or teammates, often sharing music, and that music is integral to their workout experience.
“Music is a big thing for me, personally,” Diane said. “Days I’m not as locked in or days I’m feeling a little down, listening to music gets me back into that mood so I’m motivated to do stuff I’m doing.”
Contact Mia Bracco at bracco@oxy.edu
