Two months ago, I was asked to shift my role as a SoulCycle instructor, making the transition from teaching mostly late-night classes to a number of 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. classes, most commonly known as "roosters." In the past, I had been accustomed to doing my personal workouts late at night. During college, I had class late into the evening, and as soon as the "bell rang," I was rushing off to my part-time job. My schedule left a microscopic window for any kind of physical activity, which would leave me highly-caffeinated at the gym into the wee hours of the night. Needless to say, the decision to stop being a "chicken" and embrace my inner "rooster" was only made possible by a fresh musical approach chock full of remixes that continues to propel me through my a.m. workouts.
There is a trick to creating the desire to work out early and to ensure the effectiveness of the exercise at hand. You need to let yourself ease into the movements through a playlist with a musical arc that allows you to do so. When it comes to my cycling class, I like to give the riders a minute to warm up their bodies and minds. This introduction gives them a second to meditate and also focus on any goals they want to set for that day. The playlist continues to follow the arc, leading us on a journey that is set to prepare us for the sprint to the finish line.
Working out late is still one of my favorite hobbies, but waking up and setting purpose and intention through exercise has become my catalyst for productivity. Check out my playlist and take an early morning challenge this week! #Roosters
Mechanical -- Oliver
CPU -- Big Boi, Phantogram
Show Me Love Extended Mix -- Steven Angello, Laidback Luke
Thriftshop feat. Wanz -- Macklemore, Ryan Lewis
September -- St. Lucia
Holdin' On Skrillex & Nero Remix -- Monsta
The Giver Original Mix -- Duke Dumont
Clarity -- Zedd, Foxes
Closer -- Tegan And Sara
Infinity -- The xx
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