I was talking with a friend of mine who takes a lot of spin classes. She was talking about how even though she thinks one instructor is far better than another, she chooses the mediocre teacher because her choice in music inspires and motivates her to workout.
I don’t have nearly as much experience as my co-teachers. I have nothing near a degree in body physiology. Yet my students tell me they love my class. Most importantly, they keep showing up. Like religiously.
You know what one of my main weapons is to retaining students? I can offer my students a mean water aerobics mix. One that makes you want to move. One that makes you go, “Oh my gosh – I LOVE this song!”
I also do not overplay my music. I ask for suggestions when creating a new mix. Music truly unifies you with others. In that unification, accountability is created. If you’ve ever been to a concert, you know what I’m talking about: You all fall in love with the music together. Someone else’s smile or singing along to the lyrics has as much importance as your own. So when it comes to falling under the enchantment of a very exciting song during exercise, it becomes very important that you’re working as hard as the person next to you.
A great mix has a little bit of everything. You’ve got slower warm-up songs, nostalgic songs, and songs with a challenging beat per minute (bpm). I’m not so much into the techno stuff with fast bpm (136-140). When I first started teaching, I tried to use this but felt phony. I don’t care for techno.
I’m actually into songs you’ve never thought of working out to. Reggie, which creates a nice slow beat for ab crunches and full-range-of motion movements. The Rolling Stones gets my students to flutter kicking in full aerobic form while Mick Jagger’s voice draws out chorus. The B52’s is high-energy fun.
I do not deny myself and my students the pleasure of music. I heard somewhere you’re supposed to “play to your strengths” and I feel I’m doing just that for myself and my students. Here’s one of my favorite Playlists on my iPod:
Water Aerobics Mix #2
These Eyes – The Guess Who (60’s)
Run On – Moby (late 90’s)
Love Lockdown – Kayne West (today)
Double Dutch Bus –Frankie Smith (70’s – one of the first rap songs ever!)
Magical Mystery Tour – The Beatles (60’s)
Family Affair – Mary J. Blige (today)
Cosmic Thing – B52’s (80’s)
Bad Girls – Donna Summer (70’s)
Cracklin’ Rose – Neil Diamond (70’s)
Don’t Lie – Black Eyed Peas (today)
Say it Right – Nelly Furtado (today)
Rock With You – Michael Jackson (RIP)
Eye in the Sky –Jonatha Brooke (remark of a 70’s song)
I dare you to download on iTunes and try not to workout to that one.








