June is Black Music Month. This month is dedicated to celebrating the history, notoriety, and stories behind Black artists and their music. Honor Black artists by adding these songs to your playlist for your next workout! There’s a Black song perfect for any workout and any mood. This workout playlist particularly highlights Black female artists and screams Black Girl Magic.
Yoga – “Don’t Touch My Hair” by Solange
Solange lives and breathes Black Girl Magic. This song is all about owning your body and claiming your agency. “Don’t Touch My Hair” explains the beauty and history behind Black hair and promotes the message that our body is ours to claim and understand.
Yoga celebrates this same self-agency by promoting oneness with the body and mindfulness of its presence. Through the different movements and poses, yogis find peace with their bodies and claim them as capable.
Just as “Don’t Touch My Hair” is a gentle song with a bold message, yoga centers around smooth, delicate movements that require boldness and strength.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) – “Up” by Cardi B
HIIT is all about high energy right out the gate. That’s what you’ll get with Cardi B’s “Up”.
From the first second to the last, Cardi keeps the same high energy in her flow.
The tempo is perfect for any type of HIIT workout you’re doing to keep your heart rate ‘up’ (pun intended). Try staying on beat with jumping jacks, squats, punches, or any other move.
I promise, you’ll be breathing hard. Cardi B is all about boss energy. Embody your own boss energy and crush your HIIT workout!
Lifting – “Don’t Stop” by Megan Thee Stallion feat. Young Thug
Want knees like Meg? It’s gonna take some work! Lifting heavy weights not only helps with strength, but also promotes stability.
Trust me, you’re gonna need to move like Megan.
If you need an extra boost, turn on Megan Thee Stallion’s “Don’t Stop” to give yourself a reminder. She will make sure to remind you that you cannot drop those weights. No matter how heavy, don’t stop until that set is done.
Running – “Jobs” by City Girls
For some, running feels like a job. “Jobs” by City Girls is all about investing in yourself and knowing your worth. Running is mostly a mental game. While your body could probably run for a while, your brain might convince you otherwise.
Channel your inner City Girl and remind yourself of your inner strength and capability. The only thing stopping you from being great is you.
Cycling – “Motivation” by Normani
The title says it all. Be your own motivation. Not only is “Motivation” the perfect upbeat cycling tempo, Normani is the definition of athleticism in the music video.
From the dancing to the tricks, it’s the perfect music video watch before kicking butt on the bike.
The best cycling rides are usually the ones you dance to. While you’re busy busting your best moves on the bike, you won’t even notice how much resistance you have on.