My dear friend Lo Tanner shared on her email list a play list of worship songs that help carry her through difficult moments. It inspired me to share a little list of my own…
Confession: Exercising NOW is increasingly more difficult than it was 3 years ago. Where I used to run 5 miles, now I struggle to walk one. Where I used to squat 80 lbs, now I have a hard time getting up from the couch. Where I was a Zumba instructor and I used to teach one hour classes, now I find myself successful if I get through 20 minutes of yoga.
Life happens and Rheumatoid Arthritis sucks. But I know I need to keep moving. My fitness goals have changed to reflect that, but I’m not going to lie: When I hit the work out zone, I beat myself up a lot. It’s so difficult to NOT get discouraged.
This is why now, more than ever, I need to build my faith along with my fitness. I can’t compartmentalize, these two are indistinguishable from each other. So whether it’s the motivation to stay on the treadmill five more minutes, or not give up on the yoga, I need the words in my headphones to be more powerful than the self-defeating lies that creep up every time…
… and a nice beat helps too…
Here’s a list (in no particular order) that has both!
- Pentatonix “Can’t Hold Us” – don’t ask, it just works.
- Beckah Shae “I’ll Be Alright”
- Beckah Shae “Life”
- Beckah Shae “No More” – ok so I really recommend her. But this one here is my power song!
- Mercy Me “Move”
- Kerrie Roberts “Outcast”
- Mary Mary “Shackles (Praise You)” – yup, I just dated myself here… I’m a dinasour.
- Melinda Watts “So Good”
- Ayiesha Woods “Crazy”
- Cadia “Inside Out”
I’ll interject here, that I’m not always needing something to pump up my cardio to 140 bpm. I like listening to stuff that gets me pumped, but also that helps me maintain endurance; if it keeps a steady rhythm, and it verbally encourages me not to give up, then it makes my list.
- DC Talk “Jesus Freak” – I’m pretty sure my T-Rex arms give me away by now… I’m so old…
- Group 1 Crew “His Kind of Love”
- John Reuben “Do Not”
- Jonathan Thulin “Dead Come to Life” Featuring Charmaine
- Lecrae “Give In” Featuring Crystal Nicole)
- Newsboys “God’s Not Dead”
- Rachel Lampa “Savior Song”
- Jars of Clay “Dead Man (Carry Me)” – appropriate after Leg Day
- Jars of Clay “Flood”
- Third Day “Lift Up Your Face”
- Jimmy Needham “Come Thou Fount”
- Grits “Fly Away”
Go ahead and check some of these out on Spotify or iTunes and add them to your work out playlist.
Do you have any faith-based work out songs you’d recommend? Share below!
Oh yes – I’m with you on “God’s Not Dead” and “Shackles” 🙂
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It’s good cleaning music too! 😉
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Such a good list! I have lots of songs that motivate me. Actually listening to one now- Fighting Words by Ellie Holcomb.
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I haven’t heard that one, so I’m going to look it up!
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Oh if I ever had “Shackles” or “God’s Not Dead” on my IPod when I would walk…
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You totally should! These two songs can have me jogging for at least 8 minutes! And people would look at me really weird too when my arms are all over the air 😂
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I’m going to check some of these out. I’m dying to find some good Jesus music to listen to during my runs. Thank you!!
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No problem Janel!
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I have been looking for some new music, so I am gonna check these out
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If you find anything I didn’t mention, let me know! I’m still looking for new music too.
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A LOT of the Hillsong Praise and Worship is good for this!
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Yes! I can jam out to “All things are possible” when I run!!
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Down to the River by Jodan Feliz, Move (Keep Walkin’) by Toby Mac, and I am also an old Petra fan. Ha, ha. Now look who is confessing their age. Great list! Thanks for sharing. – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
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Oooh! Petra! And I forgot about Toby Mac. Thanks!
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Great list! I’m always on the lookout for great Christian workout music. Some of these were already on my list, but I’ll check out the others.
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Thanks Heather! If I missed one, let me know!
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I teach a faith based alternative to Yoga. Ensuring the foundation are in scripture to empower the spiritual intervention needed to overcome illness injury and stress. Combining Pilates, stretching and relaxation techniques with scripture meditation. I uses calming worship music to lift the mood but create peace at the same time. Sons of Korah are great and Rebecca St James. Check out Sanctuary Stretch on youtube for a gentle work out at home. Blessings to you! X
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Ooh I’m a fan of Rebecca St James but I’ve never heard the Sons of Korah. Thanks for the tips! And by the way, I’d LOVE to attend your class!
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Im in Queensland Australia. 😆👍 would love to have you join us 💜 I have a YouTube channel just started type Sanctuary Stretch into YouTube. Xx
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Will do!
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