We all have our 'down' days when we just don't have the motivation or energy to have a great workout. To make things worse, your gym plays the same song you heard one year ago when you first joined. Sounds familiar?

I've always believed in the power of music. Music is a very powerful tool that can change the state of our mind almost instantly. Think of the time when you heard an old song that would instantly bring you down memory lane. Or imagine a really dramatic scene in a movie like "Lord of the Rings" when Aragorn gives his amazing speech before his army goes into battle. Or imagine watching Rambo finally getting his revenge with the enemy - Now imagine those scenes without the background music - I guarantee you that it will not have the same power!

Listening to intense music before and during workouts can take your intensity level up a few notches and give you a much more productive and explosive workout. If you've even been to a Bodypump, Bodyjam, Body Combat or RPM class, notice how they use music to form the 'structure' of the class, and they also change the songs often so that you don't get sick of it. So, are you convinced now?

Of course, it is essential that you listen to music that works for you. Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" WILL NOT help you curl that 40lb dumbbell!

To help you get an idea, some of the songs that work for me are the following: #Survivor - Eye of the Tiger

#Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone (Top Gun soundtrack)

#Bonnie Tyler - Holding out for a Hero (Short Circuit 2 soundtrack)

#Aaliyah - Try Again (Romeo Must Die soundtrack)

You can easily carry your favourite songs with you with a portable MP3 player. And since you'll be using it for your workout, you'll want one that can be strapped firmly onto your arm with an armband (the ones that hang around your neck and swing all over can be hazardous when you're working with weights & machines).

With this being said - I'm actually off right now to the MidValley shopping centre to get myself a suitable MP3 player right now . Stay tuned people!