The right music can elevate a class, making it more engaging and motivating.
Contrary to advice our founder Kat was given years ago (to choose songs you don’t like just because you’ll repeat them often), we believe in picking songs you love - they’re easier to learn and more enjoyable to teach. Keep your playlists manageable and fresh by mixing up the order or adding new tracks. Give your class structure with smooth transitions in resistance, and let participants connect with the music and choreography to feel accomplished.
Here’s how to craft the ultimate spin playlist:
Image credit - via Instagram @guavapass
Build a journey
Craft your playlist to take participants on a musical journey that mirrors the flow of the workout. Start with a warm-up track, then move into three high-energy cardio songs to build intensity. From there, transition to a challenging hill climb and an active recovery period to let participants catch their breath. After coming down from the hill, incorporate a variety of choreography that gives the class structure and makes sense from a muscle engagement perspective. This thoughtful variation in intensity keeps the workout engaging and ensures a well-rounded session.
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Match the beat
Select songs with tempos that align with each phase of your workout - slower tempos for the warm-up, fast tempos for peak intensity, and slower tempos again for the cool-down. Once you've chosen your songs or established a loose structure, write it down. Plan out the choreography for each track and ensure it flows seamlessly from one phase to the next. Practice your playlist and choreography thoroughly and test it in class to ensure it hits the mark.
Understand your audience
Tailoring your playlist to your class participants' preferences is essential, but be cautious about opening the door to song suggestions. While it might seem like a great way to involve your class, the reality is that most recommendations won’t be suitable for the workout, leading to disappointment. Not every song will work for you or resonate with the entire class, so focus on curating a playlist that aligns with the energy and flow you want to create.
Stay current
Keep your playlists fresh by regularly updating them with new hits and timeless classics. This keeps the class dynamic and adds the excitement of discovering new music. I do a complete refresh every three months, gradually adding new songs without making drastic changes. I have eight playlists on rotation, and I mix tracks from all of them to keep things lively and engaging for every class.
At Spirit Cycle, we've mastered the art of the perfect spin playlist. Ready to get inspired? Get in touch, and we'll guide you on how to master the perfect playlist to take your spin class to the next level.
Image credit - via Instagram @spincotoronto