Home » The KIPS Podcast » Selecting Music for Certain Demos feat. Kristi Taylor

Music is a vital part of a group fitness class. Music motivates your participants and can help you build your following depending on where you’re instructing. But how do you select your music? Do the contents of each song matter? In this episode, Kristi Taylor discusses all that goes into building a playlist, using playlists tailored to the gym’s demographics, and finding trending music. Kristi is a fitness professional who instructs online and in person in the greater Phoenix area. Over the past few years, she has developed instructor training programs.

One of the most valuable aspects of this episode is how Kristi breaks down gym demographics and how that can influence your playlist. Your gym’s demographics play a crucial role in your daily participation, and your playlist can influence whether these participants continue to return. But what if you don’t know what’s trending or what your demographic likes to listen to? In this episode, Kristi shares how you can use TikTok to find trends for younger generations. Taking these extra steps during your preparation demonstrates how you can be a valuable asset to a gym and why you’re worth more than your hourly wage.

How do you make your playlists? Have you found any music categories that don’t fit well in the group fitness setting?

Topics Discussed in This Episode

• Selecting music for your gym’s demographics.
• Music for beginner instructors.
• Finding trending music for your group fitness classes.

Importance of Music in Group Fitness

Music plays a crucial role in motivating participants during group fitness classes, significantly enhancing the overall experience and performance. Research indicates that music can elevate mood, increase enjoyment, and enhance workout intensity, leading to improved exercise adherence (Karageorghis et al., 2018). In a group setting, the collective energy sparked by an upbeat playlist creates a sense of community, encouraging participants to push their limits.

Studies show that synchronous music—where the beat aligns with movements—can improve coordination and increase exercise efficiency (Terry et al., 2020). For instance, during high-energy classes like cycling or aerobic dance, rhythmic tunes help maintain a steady pace and keep the energy levels high. This not only distracts from the physical exertion but also encourages participants to engage more fully with the workout.

Furthermore, music serves as a powerful cue, signaling changes in intensity and motivating participants to reach specific goals. The strategic use of tempo during a class can ramp up excitement during high-intensity intervals, while slower tracks can promote recovery and stretching. Overall, the integration of music into group fitness classes fosters an engaging atmosphere, motivating participants to push themselves harder and enjoy the experience.

Kristi Taylor is the creator of PowerBeat and PowerBeatPlus. These two formats are offered at two of the major gym chains in the Greater Phoenix Area and through her online channel. She holds a degree in Microbiology from BYU and is a mother of four in the East Valley of Phoenix.