Some will leave you weeping on the floor, others convince you that with a lucky pair of boxing trunks you can take on a Russian Goliath, and maybe one or two will give you the itch to grab a pair of Ray-Bans and jump into a fighter jet. No matter what effect your favorite tune has on you, there are some that no good workout mix should be without. They are the songs that give you the push you need on that last mile, the sounds that give you the strength to go another round, the songs your workout mix has been missing.
5: Don't Stop Believing by Journey
When you need someone to make you believe that another set of bench-press is possible, Journey has the answer. Take a trip with a Detroit boy looking to get laid and throw up that new clean max. Jump on the train with a small-town girl and crank it up a notch or two for that last set of abs.
4: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Released in 1997, this cult classic is famous for its premier role in Tom Cruise’s only film worth watching, Top Gun. If this song doesn't get you pumped, you don't have a pulse. And if there are any out there who have not seen this miracle of film-making...I'm in shock.
3: Heart’s on Fire by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band
This masterpiece was released in February 1986 as a single from the film, Rocky IV. This song will make you run up snow covered Russian mountains like it was a sunny afternoon stroll. When this tune comes on, you will have the uncontrollable urge to lift your arms above your head, you will loose the ability speak comprehensible English, and you will drop to negative one percent body-fat.
2: Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
This song stands as a testament to great workout mixes. When Rocky had lost his edge and Mr. T had taken his belt, only regaining the Eye of the Tiger (and working on his terrible footwork) will give Rocky what he needs to be on top again. When you need the strength to take down a bull with a mohawk, this is the song for you.
1: Burning Heart by Survivor
This is the song that holds the title of greatest pump up song for Survivor. When this tune kicks off, your veins will begin coursing red, white, and blue. With this song in your earbuds, dirty communist will immediately begin to glow red and you will have no choice but to destroy them or risk the destruction of all we hold dear. If you need to take on a Russian that looks like he was breed from polar bears and arctic wolves and who speaks even less English than Rocky (which is saying something), this is the song for you.
Sure, these throwbacks are cliché, but that doesn't mean they don’t still pump you up. Next time your are going for that new max, new personal record time, or pushing yourself past your limits, crank up these tunes and let them take your farther then you have ever been before.
