Let's face it: Few things can fuel a workout better than music. That perfect song or playlist can do wonders for that last sit-up or rep, or even push us toward that extra cardio mile.
So it shouldn't be surprising that self-professed "fitness freak" Steve Aoki has leveraged his musical talents to create a new soundtrack for the cutting-edge Strong by Zumba group fitness class.
The basis for Strong by Zumba combines a high-intensity workout with Synced Music Motivation, a scientific principle that pairs music with a specific exercise — for example, a certain group of songs that can synchronize the exact beats per minute with the speeds of a cardio routine.
"Creating music for this program was a unique process," said Aoki. "I received the routine and scored music around it, bringing the routine to life. When we pair the song with the moves, the motivation factor is insane!"
A variety of studies have testified as to music's general potential for a powerful impact on fitness routines, particularly in interval bursts. However, Aoki has tailor-made his soundtrack specifically for the Strong by Zumba routine, which offers the potential for maximum motivation and results.
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"It's the first time I've seen a fitness brand reverse engineer music by scoring the beats around the routines," said Aoki. "I love that I can translate my high-energy beats from the stage to the fitness floor and motivate people to burn calories and get toned!"
