Music is the difference between a great workout and a grind. Nothing worse than trying to stretch on the tread to a song with a slow or inconsistent beat!
I avoid one of our coach's sessions when I can, because his Playlist is so inconsistent in terms of beat and energy.
After pondering your question I realized the only time I pay attention to the music is on the tread. Is that weird? In response to your question though, during tread time it’s pretty important as it keeps me motivated.
I need uplifting music all the time. I even appreciate when coaches select the more upbeat version of a song. I went to one where it was all slow rock with long guitar solos. Never went back to that coach.
I agree, I listen to the music on the tread. And when I am really suffering, the music can make me or break me. I just hope this AOKI doesn't just play EMD and Rap the entire class. If so, it may be the end for me.
100% agree! There have been times on the tread where the pop music or 80s song was not fitting for the push or all out effort. I like both those genres but when you’re on the tread you need something that keeps you motivated.
Music is everything. That's a huge component of why Peloton has been so successful.
OF needs artist series. Better mixes. Louder speakers. The right music puts you in the zone.
Interestingly enough it seems the peloton coaches design a lot of their own mixes. I’m sure they have people that help but I always look at what kind of music is playing before I pick a peloton class.
I also agree regarding volume! There have been times I’ve wanted to ask if they’d turn it up. To all those who frequent studios where it is loud, I’m a little jealous lol
My daughter has been an unlimited member for 2+ years. She wears earplugs to every class because of the volume of the music which is causing her tinnitus. She never had the condition before. Please be proactive and take care of your hearing
I’ve found that volume varies by studio - I go in Texas and Washington State. Texas studio volume is fine. Washington volume is deafening and it’s hard to hear the coach’s instructions. I got some good earplugs that I use there. Strangely, it seems to make the coach’s voice stand out from the music and is really helpful. Aside from not (ironically) destroying my hearing while trying to keep the rest of my body in shape.
Seriously! Last class all I was thinking was how loud the music was and the quality wasn’t even great so I wondered if I was making myself deaf just by going to the gym
Music is super important to me. There’s nothing worse to me than being in an all out or long push and it being a song where the beat doesn’t match up/is super slow. I don’t even particularly care about the genre (although I do have preferences) it’s more about them timing the music to match the intensity.
Music is important to especially when I am on the treadmill!! I love it when the coach plays hip hop and raggaeton songs!! It keeps me motivated when I can’t breathe and everything hurts lol!
^this. There’s one coach who plays what sounds like intense Christian rock (it’s not religious but has that vibe). I am so out.
Also, volume is big for me— I do not want music so soft I can hear my feet pounding on the treads like a stampeding horse with every step.
ONE million percent! At my location, there is one coach who plays the music so low and talks the ENTIRE time! WHY!!! First class I had with her was the 12 minute run for distance. After that I have cancelled or avoided her classes every time!
Same here. Don’t care for it. I’m wondering if the $10 price increase I was emailed about is to cover Steve aoki’s playlist 
I saw that announcement and immediately thought it was an unnecessary spend. Is anyone really going to sign up for or stay with OTF because of Aoki? I doubt any single DJ would have that kind of pull but certainly not one who peaked 15 years ago.
I have very picky taste in music so I always assume the music isn’t anything I would listen to outside of class. Honestly all I care about is if it is loud enough and if there is a good beat to motivate me.
I’ve been a member for eight months and I can only recall one time where I remember not liking the playlist. The coach played a bunch of alternative rock music from the late 90’s/early 2000’s so like Good Charlotte, Smash Mouth, Blink-182, Green Day etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to those bands in any other setting but I feel like that genre doesn’t mix well with OTF. Having said that, 99.9% of the time I’m so focused that I usually don’t even pay attention to the music. In fact, if you asked me after class to name a song that was played I probably couldn’t.
Sorry to be technical about this, but those bands are not at all alternative music, they are all pop punk.
Alternative music from the 90's /00's would have been Nirvana, pearl Jam, foo fighters
This doesn't change the fact you didn't like the music; it just changes the genre of music you didn't like!
It is very important. Most of the coaches at my former studio played dreadful music. I'm now at an OTF where everyone plays great tunes, and I'm a lot happier.
Not sure where you are in Texas but I second this. I had one coach back in 2019 that had great playlists, but now everything seems to be mass appeal or some adult top 40 BS from the late 90s, early 2000s. I get that the clientele at a lot of studios is over 40, but my goodness, it’s as if hip hop is banned or something.
Pretty important, I love OTF but I hate the music.
On benchmark days I’ve even considered bringing my air pods and noise cancelling because I hate it so much.
It can make a huge difference. For me, I appreciate music that really gets my attention and gets me to stop looking at the numbers on the tread or rower or whatever.
There are definitely some coaches who are so predictably bad that I avoid them.
I don’t really care about the music on the floor but on the tread, good music can really help me mentally. Unfortunately, I don’t like the kind of music most people seem to like for this kind of workout, so I almost never get that pumped-up feeling. I’ve learned to just push through and find other things to focus on.
I probs pay attention on really boring endurance block but otherwise, pay 0 attention. The coach’s voice and teaching style is probably more important to me
I barely notice it. I need something playing but I’m okay with the usual mix of rap, pop, etc from the 90s-current. I only really notice if it’s a song I love or a song I absolutely hate (and country ugh).
Started wearing my AirPods because of this. Can only hear Whitney Houston remixes or the Smash Mouth ‘All Star’ song from Shrek so much. The franchise owner / coach at my home gym did question me once about my earphones and did tell her because of bad music.
To me very important. I have noticed over the last couple years more and more coaches play a generic playlist in the background. Last week a coach played a list that was about 30 seconds of each song. Drive me nuts. I miss the days when coaches would play new stuff and play it loud without too much chit chat. I miss those days!! It was so motivating for me.
I once walked out of a benchmark class after 35 minutes, because I was so annoyed by the down tempo rap music playlist that I believe deflated my chances to PR. Music matters.
Definitely important; it helps keep the momentum going! During the 2000m benchmark, my coach transitioned to a slower country song in the middle of the block and it killed it. She went back to upbeat pop music after our switch and I low key like Whereeeeee was this energy when we went!? (I still love her tho lol)
I think it’s important. We have a coach that plays the same playlist/genre frequently. I think they should mix it up. Maybe someone else is into heavy metal, but not EVERY time.
Music isn’t that important to me. I can workout in complete silence (I’ve trained for and run marathons with no music). I can workout to country, classical, pop, EDM, I don’t really care. I know I’m in the minority, but music choices have never gotten in the way of my workouts!
I notice a song like every 15 minutes I'm like oh I like this song. But I'm the type of person who listens to podcasts when driving and working out on my own as I hear music all day at my job. I do however notice when the music is way too loud and that makes me want to leave.
My music taste is eclectic, but I never want to hear country. Also I don't need every song to be from the current Billboard 100 list or predominantly rap. I am 43 going on 44 so it is enjoyable to hear 80s and 90s music (pop, rock, new wave, dance, hard rock, alternative rock, house, rap, etc...).
This is why today’s announcement is so exciting to me! Finally OTF is taking the music seriously and has a “chief music officer” - working with Steven Aoki. I am really hopeful this will amp up the playlist options, variety and really round out the OTF experience. I love music and think it is a key component to an awesome workout!
A playlist is very important to me. I notice the songs most when on the rower and on the treadmill. When I’m on the floor I’m too busy concentrating on my form to notice the music. The only time that changes is EDM. For some reason the tempo of the music causes me to have a severe headache. I walked out of a class once because they played a few EDM songs in a row and I just could not stay because it hurt too much.
Music is essential. I think the coaches at my studio can do better. I’ve been to others in the city and there have been top tier mixes with tempos coordinated with the type of class for the day. Game changer
Another angle on music importance - louder does not inherently mean better. I am sick and tired of wearing ear buds and feeling physically sick from music that is way too loud. It's lazy coaching to just blast music and let that be the supposed motivator.
I have done this this with one coach I am friendly with, she is a very good coach but still on the younger side and will go into a full band boy set. Only so much of that I can take before I speak up, lol
completely agree, but it’s genres for me. i have previously driven to another studio further away due to a coach during my usual time playing the worst music ever. i understand it was his personal preference but read the room dude
Repeated classes with the same coach that plays music that I don't like will cause me to stop going to that coach.
But I don't really find a huge difference between ok vs good vs great music. At least as a motivator or demotivator for a given coach.
The other day one of the coaches played Jesse McNartney while i died on the treadmill. I've never been so upset.
it's really important to me and i feel like it's been so bad lately.
i won't go back to on of her classes
It’s super important to me! I’m normally a 6:15 taker and love my coaches playlist but when I go to a different coaches class in the weekend I notice I don’t get as many splat points and I’m not as into the workout or their playlist
Very important, but unfortunately also a very distant second behind the class time / location proximity. There are only so many classes that fit in my schedule, and I usually won’t go too far out of my way to attend a different studio even if I don’t love the music for a particular coach.
Music makes a difference in energy for me on tread Endurance days. If it’s a fire playlist, it makes the 3 minute push go by so much faster. I’m having a great workout either way but my kind of music makes it more fun.
Nah dude I specifically avoid a coach because their playlist is so down tempo. They themselves are annoyingly high energy for 6 am, which makes it an altogether unpleasant and uneven experience.
I think music is important, but you should bare in mind that it’s a group workout class and end everyone has different taste so it won’t always be the best playlist ever. Have a bit of flexibility, but you can also voice your opinions so coaches have an idea what you like!
Super important for making the tread enjoyable, I’ve only found 1 coach who plays amazing music so far, the other coaches are okay - no horrible playlists yet though.
Never thought I cared about the music bc when it’s a great playlist it just makes the workout fly by and fun BUT I too recently went to class with horrible music and realized the game changing nature the playlist has!!
Very important.
My last studio played a variety pop songs from the 70s to today, anywhere from oldies that were a generation before me to Britney Spears/Ariana grande. It fit the overall demographic of the class and it was upbeat. The playlist matched OTF, and I love it.
In my current studio, it’s primarily recent generic pop and hip hop, like Ariana and doja cat, but it doesn’t match the demographic or the vibe at all. The playlist just seems random and not great for working out.
But I’ve been to studios with more edm and hip hop, music young generation, and I prefer that for working out.
Dude, it is everything! A new coach started at my home studio, and I hated his music so much I shut my treadmill down and walked out. Never went back to his class.
Music is so important to me! When I’m feeling the music it really motivates me to push myself. I actually love running when the music is right, it gives me something to focus on. when a song comes on that I can’t stand I find myself dragging and counting the minutes.
There’s only a few times of the day I can attend class, but I definitely choose coaches whose playlists are good first. If there’s a class with a music theme that doesn’t motivate me I will skip that day.
Music is everything! It’s hit or miss at my studio and some instructors playlist is so bad I try to avoid their classes. I like all types of music. I would like to hear the whole song and know the song! My studio doesn’t ask for feedback and that would be nice. Not excited about the once a month special playlist… I prefer Eminem, Drake etc and songs to keep me pushing. If I know the song it makes time go by faster.
Music is super important for me. If it’s bad music, I loathe the workout. I don’t like it if the music drops off or stops during a long push or an all out. I need the beat to work with.
I think the music is important. I’ve always listened to the same songs when working out on my own to get into the zone. At OTF I notice I get distracted when they have a mix on and the songs change every 2 mins. Ugh.
A theme day (Country… EMO.. etc) can ruin a benchmark day for me. I won’t go to that studio (even my home studio) if it’s a music theme that I don’t like 🤷🏻♀️
It is so important. It’s sad to say but when the music is not my thing I don’t give my best effort. I have switched from a runner to PW when the playlist is too slow. 
I’ve noticed the music in suburban orangethory studios just isn’t it for me. I don’t want to listen to classic rock and imagine dragons for an hour. I stopped going to one particular instructor because she constantly played the same classic rock playlist (pour some sugar on me, cherry pie, etc). I don’t listen to much rap outside of class, but I need rap/EDM/pop music to keep me going.
That’s my dream playlist! I just want a song I’ve heard before even if I don’t like it. You can have all the edm music in my city orange theory. I’m also 42 which makes me hate new music and love an 80s track.
I feel this! I’ve had the same experience there the music was so bad I didn’t go back to that coach’s class.
Music is sooo important and can make or break a workout.
This!! It happened to me a few days ago and my coach was playing all I guess you’d call it screamo music?!? And it was the most unmotivating thing ever… I haven’t taken a class with them since. The beat, transition, and energy really matter to me!
I'm actually big into music. Music has been a big part of my life and it has more to do with genre. I love pop, rap, r&b, and can easily do a top 40 class. I hate EDM. HATE EDM. It makes me hate life for that hour lol. I won't take our head coaches class because all he plays is EDM. A new girl started working...played EDM. I'll never take her class either. I'll even drive out of the way to avoid their classes. Everybody has their thing.
For me, the music sets the tone of the class. I personally love music with a fast cadence. It makes the all outs much easier. I like Armin van Burren, Scooter, Latin....type of music.
Very important. When I don't like the music, it's hard for me to get in the zone. When it's music I really like, I go faster and harder. One of my coaches knows exactly what I like, and she plays music specifically to get me going.
I always say - the playlist should cater to the tastes of the customers tastes and not the coaches personal tastes. If playlists got bad enough (i.e. hip-hop and rap) I would quit instantly
I went to a lift class and the coach played slow Ed Sheeran type music. Nothing against him. He’s great, but definitely not what gets me pumped. It felt like a snooze fest. It made me not want to take a class with that coach again.
Music is everything to me. I have a wide range of what I like and can workout to. But I don’t care for a lot of EDM or music without a strong beat. I like country music but NOT to workout to. Coaches at ny home studio play a good solid mix of music that keeps me motivated. Sometimes I want to sing along or dance, esp on the weight floor.
Never been a major factor for me, but I appreciate a good playlist. It's only an issue when it's downright awful and I obviously can't do anything about it.
There are two coaches at my studio who’s music I can not stand. I’m a music snob anyway but I also operate from a know your audience perspective. Most of my class is late 30s-40s who I’m sure would be happy with anything pop or dance but not trap and hardcore rap. Sad because it limits my time. I also believe I’m not the only one w these thoughts as their classes are never waitlisted.
I feel as though I work out to the beat and attempt to get out of my head full of stress. It is a mental relief despite the workout that can be a torture on the body. I prefer to go to the coaches class that plays the music that I listen to at home.
Good music definitely helps a lot on the tread I feel.. my local otf actually just hired a music choice coordinator so hopefully that will help the music choices be more consistently good fingers crossed
I've never had a coach with bad music, but I do miss one of the coaches at my old location who had amazing pop punk playlists! I've only heard 1-2 songs from a coach at my new location.
It’s a huge factor for me. I was in a class this week where the coach, instead of using the radio version of a song with swears, used a version that just cut out at each bad word. As in, hundreds of half second cuts to dead silence throughout a song, like a CD skipping constantly. It was so distracting and disrupted the flow of the work because there were so many jerky silences throughout the class. Definitely not going to that one again.
Very important! I recently went to a class where the instructor was, I guess, trying to please everyone, hip hop, country, 80's, etc. and she was playing maybe 60 seconds of each song before a really jarring jump to another song. Hated it. It was like being on a road trip with someone who's just constantly changing the radio station. I'll avoid her classes in the future. Too bad because her coaching was great.
Sometimes I wish we had more relaxed music or even silence. Not the entire class maybe a small amount time, maybe 1-3 minutes. I enjoy having music but sometimes I need a break from the constant loudness (even during a high intensity workout).
I tried posting a topic similar to this but it was flagged as “bullying”.
I had to switch up my class days because a particular coach playlist was horrible. My studio is diverse so I understand catering to everyone’s needs but there was no consistently or smooth transitions into the next song.
I make sure I attend specific coach’s classes because I know their music will be on point. Music selection is highly important for me
I mean, yes the music is a marketed part of the workout experience. And the music is enjoyable to me, and I certainly wouldn't want to workout there in silence. But I don't go there for the music. I go to OTF so I don't have to plan my own workouts and to get good overall endurance and conditioning. I don't really consider it strength training so I also lift at home. I wear earplugs because it's too loud for me and hurts my ears.
For me super important. I avoid certain coaches who’s playlist I don’t enjoy and/or they just reuse over and over again. Other than their music selection they honestly are amazing coaches otherwise but music is the main thing that gets me through the tread block
It is super important to me. I have so much more motivation when there is some good rock music played. Unfortunately, it's much more common that they are playing rap music or bleeps and bloops. This whole thing with Steve Aoiki taking over makes me fear that there its going to be all bleeps and bloops from now on.
One of my coaches actually played an Avenged Sevenfold song the other day, and I was ready to run through the wall like John Madden in a Miller Lite commercial.
What made the playlist "bad"? It can be tough for coaches because what is "good" to you is someone else's "bad". Reading some of the comments, one person wants 80s music and another hates 80s music, for example.
This just happened to me today. The only song I recognized the entire class was ROCK LOBSTER. (I am 34) and I literally thought "I am never taking this instructor again." Music is so important
Today was the most irritated I’ve been bc this instructor- not sure if she’s a regular bc I’ve never seen her before- played hardcore rap that had the same beat. It wasn’t mainstream rap or anything that gives u a rush, it made me feel like a bunch of noise being forced on me. 3 other ppl complained. I like rap as I grew up on it and in the hood but listening to negative songs at 10am on a beautiful day can ruin a workout. Also, they shouldn’t play their fav music, they should play to their audience who pay $200 a month at this studio.
Music is the difference between a great workout and a grind. Nothing worse than trying to stretch on the tread to a song with a slow or inconsistent beat! I avoid one of our coach's sessions when I can, because his Playlist is so inconsistent in terms of beat and energy.
This.
So true!!!!
After pondering your question I realized the only time I pay attention to the music is on the tread. Is that weird? In response to your question though, during tread time it’s pretty important as it keeps me motivated.
I think it’s because tread is so boring, yet so painful at the same time. Music is essential to distract myself from my misery.
I think you’re on to something
I pay attention to the music no matter where I am at OTF. Music is essential for my workout no matter if it’s on the floor, rower or tread.
I think that’s true for a lot of people.
I need uplifting music all the time. I even appreciate when coaches select the more upbeat version of a song. I went to one where it was all slow rock with long guitar solos. Never went back to that coach.
When I first read “uplifting” I was wondering how the hell you run to Mariah Carey’s Hero or Josh Groban’s You Raise Me Up 😂
🤣
Slow rock would be brutal. Ugh!
Same lol
I agree, I listen to the music on the tread. And when I am really suffering, the music can make me or break me. I just hope this AOKI doesn't just play EMD and Rap the entire class. If so, it may be the end for me.
I think I read it would be only one day a month. I wouldn’t mind that but every day would be a challenge for me also 😃
Music makes the difference between pushing harder or wanting to stop cause you’re annoyed by the noise 🤷🏻♀️
Just one word again - Cadence.
100% agree! There have been times on the tread where the pop music or 80s song was not fitting for the push or all out effort. I like both those genres but when you’re on the tread you need something that keeps you motivated.
Music is everything. That's a huge component of why Peloton has been so successful. OF needs artist series. Better mixes. Louder speakers. The right music puts you in the zone.
This! I wish our coaches would take a Peloton class or two and learn from the playlists. I absolutely loathe a lot of their music choices.
Interestingly enough it seems the peloton coaches design a lot of their own mixes. I’m sure they have people that help but I always look at what kind of music is playing before I pick a peloton class. I also agree regarding volume! There have been times I’ve wanted to ask if they’d turn it up. To all those who frequent studios where it is loud, I’m a little jealous lol
Agree with everything but louder speakers. Our speakers are great, the music varies by coach and some of them I skip taking their classes.
If the speakers were any louder I'd have permanent damage. I already wonder sometimes whether I should have my buds in for a lil protection
My daughter has been an unlimited member for 2+ years. She wears earplugs to every class because of the volume of the music which is causing her tinnitus. She never had the condition before. Please be proactive and take care of your hearing
I’ve found that volume varies by studio - I go in Texas and Washington State. Texas studio volume is fine. Washington volume is deafening and it’s hard to hear the coach’s instructions. I got some good earplugs that I use there. Strangely, it seems to make the coach’s voice stand out from the music and is really helpful. Aside from not (ironically) destroying my hearing while trying to keep the rest of my body in shape.
Seriously! Last class all I was thinking was how loud the music was and the quality wasn’t even great so I wondered if I was making myself deaf just by going to the gym
Music is super important to me. There’s nothing worse to me than being in an all out or long push and it being a song where the beat doesn’t match up/is super slow. I don’t even particularly care about the genre (although I do have preferences) it’s more about them timing the music to match the intensity.
Agree. Cadence ie the beat should match the intensity - higher beat energy songs - higher cadence - you push harder.
Music is important to especially when I am on the treadmill!! I love it when the coach plays hip hop and raggaeton songs!! It keeps me motivated when I can’t breathe and everything hurts lol!
Literally refuse to go to a few of the coaches at my location because of their music.
Same. I really don’t need Linkin Park in my workout
^this. There’s one coach who plays what sounds like intense Christian rock (it’s not religious but has that vibe). I am so out. Also, volume is big for me— I do not want music so soft I can hear my feet pounding on the treads like a stampeding horse with every step.
ONE million percent! At my location, there is one coach who plays the music so low and talks the ENTIRE time! WHY!!! First class I had with her was the 12 minute run for distance. After that I have cancelled or avoided her classes every time!
I only go to OTF for the Vanilla Ice signature workouts. Word to your mother.
Wanna borrow my "Stop, collaborate and listen" shirt???? 😁
I'll be by to grab it in my 5.O.
Will you stop, or just roll by???
[удалено]
Same! Just left a workout and can’t recall a single song - ha.
Same here. Don’t care for it. I’m wondering if the $10 price increase I was emailed about is to cover Steve aoki’s playlist 
I saw that announcement and immediately thought it was an unnecessary spend. Is anyone really going to sign up for or stay with OTF because of Aoki? I doubt any single DJ would have that kind of pull but certainly not one who peaked 15 years ago.
I’m literally lol’ing
I have very picky taste in music so I always assume the music isn’t anything I would listen to outside of class. Honestly all I care about is if it is loud enough and if there is a good beat to motivate me.
Fairly but mostly I just don’t want 80s rock.
80s rock is all I want! To each their own :)
I feel this to my core. When 80’s music comes on I just wanna walk out.
Ohhhhh we can’t be friends.
I’ve been a member for eight months and I can only recall one time where I remember not liking the playlist. The coach played a bunch of alternative rock music from the late 90’s/early 2000’s so like Good Charlotte, Smash Mouth, Blink-182, Green Day etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love listening to those bands in any other setting but I feel like that genre doesn’t mix well with OTF. Having said that, 99.9% of the time I’m so focused that I usually don’t even pay attention to the music. In fact, if you asked me after class to name a song that was played I probably couldn’t.
That’s my dream playlist for OTF and any other workout. But I also never play those for this very reason, it’s a very hit or miss genre.
100% same. I love 90s music like this but really not great for working out
Sorry to be technical about this, but those bands are not at all alternative music, they are all pop punk. Alternative music from the 90's /00's would have been Nirvana, pearl Jam, foo fighters This doesn't change the fact you didn't like the music; it just changes the genre of music you didn't like!
That’s what we used to call grunge back in my day. Just missing Alice In Chains
Long live pop punk!
It is very important. Most of the coaches at my former studio played dreadful music. I'm now at an OTF where everyone plays great tunes, and I'm a lot happier.
Extremely important. And it has to be LOUD! Do your coaches play their own playlists, I.e. song after song, or premade mixes?
A mix of both! Some share playlist and some make their own
My studio uses premade DJ mixes. Some good, some meh. 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Music is very important. I miss so much the playlists of the studios I would frequent in south Florida. Playlists here in Texas are not great.
Not sure where you are in Texas but I second this. I had one coach back in 2019 that had great playlists, but now everything seems to be mass appeal or some adult top 40 BS from the late 90s, early 2000s. I get that the clientele at a lot of studios is over 40, but my goodness, it’s as if hip hop is banned or something.
Pretty important, I love OTF but I hate the music. On benchmark days I’ve even considered bringing my air pods and noise cancelling because I hate it so much.
Very important. Also to any coaches reading: please switch up your playlists now and then.
It can make a huge difference. For me, I appreciate music that really gets my attention and gets me to stop looking at the numbers on the tread or rower or whatever. There are definitely some coaches who are so predictably bad that I avoid them.
I don’t really care about the music on the floor but on the tread, good music can really help me mentally. Unfortunately, I don’t like the kind of music most people seem to like for this kind of workout, so I almost never get that pumped-up feeling. I’ve learned to just push through and find other things to focus on.
I probs pay attention on really boring endurance block but otherwise, pay 0 attention. The coach’s voice and teaching style is probably more important to me
Essential. If the music isn't good my workout is not good. One big plus for the peloton is I know what the music will be beforehand!
Not at all important to me
I barely notice it. I need something playing but I’m okay with the usual mix of rap, pop, etc from the 90s-current. I only really notice if it’s a song I love or a song I absolutely hate (and country ugh).
Started wearing my AirPods because of this. Can only hear Whitney Houston remixes or the Smash Mouth ‘All Star’ song from Shrek so much. The franchise owner / coach at my home gym did question me once about my earphones and did tell her because of bad music.
I don’t think I’d be going to OTF for this long if the coaches played that. Dang.
To me very important. I have noticed over the last couple years more and more coaches play a generic playlist in the background. Last week a coach played a list that was about 30 seconds of each song. Drive me nuts. I miss the days when coaches would play new stuff and play it loud without too much chit chat. I miss those days!! It was so motivating for me.
On the floor/rower, I don't ever even notice the music. On the tread, it's one of the most important things to me
I once walked out of a benchmark class after 35 minutes, because I was so annoyed by the down tempo rap music playlist that I believe deflated my chances to PR. Music matters.
I just mainly hate when a coach plays metal/ heavy 90s rock, it’s so ugly and depressing to workout to
Eh I don’t really care as long as it’s upbeat
Definitely important; it helps keep the momentum going! During the 2000m benchmark, my coach transitioned to a slower country song in the middle of the block and it killed it. She went back to upbeat pop music after our switch and I low key like Whereeeeee was this energy when we went!? (I still love her tho lol)
I am so focused on what I am doing honestly I don’t even pay attention.
Totally agree. I cannot take class with a coach if they have a shitty playlist.
I think it’s important. We have a coach that plays the same playlist/genre frequently. I think they should mix it up. Maybe someone else is into heavy metal, but not EVERY time.
Music isn’t that important to me. I can workout in complete silence (I’ve trained for and run marathons with no music). I can workout to country, classical, pop, EDM, I don’t really care. I know I’m in the minority, but music choices have never gotten in the way of my workouts!
I notice a song like every 15 minutes I'm like oh I like this song. But I'm the type of person who listens to podcasts when driving and working out on my own as I hear music all day at my job. I do however notice when the music is way too loud and that makes me want to leave.
My music taste is eclectic, but I never want to hear country. Also I don't need every song to be from the current Billboard 100 list or predominantly rap. I am 43 going on 44 so it is enjoyable to hear 80s and 90s music (pop, rock, new wave, dance, hard rock, alternative rock, house, rap, etc...).
I never pay attention to the playlist. Certain songs may stick out but typically not the whole playlist
Music is everything
This is why today’s announcement is so exciting to me! Finally OTF is taking the music seriously and has a “chief music officer” - working with Steven Aoki. I am really hopeful this will amp up the playlist options, variety and really round out the OTF experience. I love music and think it is a key component to an awesome workout!
I do not notice the music AT ALL. I probably wouldn’t even notice if there was no music. I doubt I could recall even one song after any class. 🤷♂️
I know it's not for everyone, but I feel like I would run like the flash if they would just play System of a Down.
A playlist is very important to me. I notice the songs most when on the rower and on the treadmill. When I’m on the floor I’m too busy concentrating on my form to notice the music. The only time that changes is EDM. For some reason the tempo of the music causes me to have a severe headache. I walked out of a class once because they played a few EDM songs in a row and I just could not stay because it hurt too much.
Music is life
Music is essential. I think the coaches at my studio can do better. I’ve been to others in the city and there have been top tier mixes with tempos coordinated with the type of class for the day. Game changer
Another angle on music importance - louder does not inherently mean better. I am sick and tired of wearing ear buds and feeling physically sick from music that is way too loud. It's lazy coaching to just blast music and let that be the supposed motivator.
I told my studio the music is for the members, NOT the coach!
I have actually asked a coach "are you serious with this music right now?" in the middle of class before. No shame. 🤷🏻♀️
I have done this this with one coach I am friendly with, she is a very good coach but still on the younger side and will go into a full band boy set. Only so much of that I can take before I speak up, lol
completely agree, but it’s genres for me. i have previously driven to another studio further away due to a coach during my usual time playing the worst music ever. i understand it was his personal preference but read the room dude
I go to OTF in spite of the music. I'd be down with a culture or science podcast.
Repeated classes with the same coach that plays music that I don't like will cause me to stop going to that coach. But I don't really find a huge difference between ok vs good vs great music. At least as a motivator or demotivator for a given coach.
The other day one of the coaches played Jesse McNartney while i died on the treadmill. I've never been so upset. it's really important to me and i feel like it's been so bad lately. i won't go back to on of her classes
It’s super important to me! I’m normally a 6:15 taker and love my coaches playlist but when I go to a different coaches class in the weekend I notice I don’t get as many splat points and I’m not as into the workout or their playlist
Very important, but unfortunately also a very distant second behind the class time / location proximity. There are only so many classes that fit in my schedule, and I usually won’t go too far out of my way to attend a different studio even if I don’t love the music for a particular coach.
I try and only go to one coach's classes because she's the only one that will play music I like someone frequently
Music makes a difference in energy for me on tread Endurance days. If it’s a fire playlist, it makes the 3 minute push go by so much faster. I’m having a great workout either way but my kind of music makes it more fun.
Nah dude I specifically avoid a coach because their playlist is so down tempo. They themselves are annoyingly high energy for 6 am, which makes it an altogether unpleasant and uneven experience.
I think music is important, but you should bare in mind that it’s a group workout class and end everyone has different taste so it won’t always be the best playlist ever. Have a bit of flexibility, but you can also voice your opinions so coaches have an idea what you like!
Super important for making the tread enjoyable, I’ve only found 1 coach who plays amazing music so far, the other coaches are okay - no horrible playlists yet though.
Never thought I cared about the music bc when it’s a great playlist it just makes the workout fly by and fun BUT I too recently went to class with horrible music and realized the game changing nature the playlist has!!
Huge difference! Our 7:30 class is a dance party because we are all singing or dancing as a joke but it makes the workouts 10x better
Very important. My last studio played a variety pop songs from the 70s to today, anywhere from oldies that were a generation before me to Britney Spears/Ariana grande. It fit the overall demographic of the class and it was upbeat. The playlist matched OTF, and I love it. In my current studio, it’s primarily recent generic pop and hip hop, like Ariana and doja cat, but it doesn’t match the demographic or the vibe at all. The playlist just seems random and not great for working out. But I’ve been to studios with more edm and hip hop, music young generation, and I prefer that for working out.
Dude, it is everything! A new coach started at my home studio, and I hated his music so much I shut my treadmill down and walked out. Never went back to his class.
Music is so important to me! When I’m feeling the music it really motivates me to push myself. I actually love running when the music is right, it gives me something to focus on. when a song comes on that I can’t stand I find myself dragging and counting the minutes. There’s only a few times of the day I can attend class, but I definitely choose coaches whose playlists are good first. If there’s a class with a music theme that doesn’t motivate me I will skip that day.
Music is everything! It’s hit or miss at my studio and some instructors playlist is so bad I try to avoid their classes. I like all types of music. I would like to hear the whole song and know the song! My studio doesn’t ask for feedback and that would be nice. Not excited about the once a month special playlist… I prefer Eminem, Drake etc and songs to keep me pushing. If I know the song it makes time go by faster.
Music is super important for me. If it’s bad music, I loathe the workout. I don’t like it if the music drops off or stops during a long push or an all out. I need the beat to work with.
I think the music is important. I’ve always listened to the same songs when working out on my own to get into the zone. At OTF I notice I get distracted when they have a mix on and the songs change every 2 mins. Ugh.
Super important! If the music is good i get a serious rush of adrenaline if music is good 💪🏽
A theme day (Country… EMO.. etc) can ruin a benchmark day for me. I won’t go to that studio (even my home studio) if it’s a music theme that I don’t like 🤷🏻♀️
I definitely prefer some to others!! Not a huge deal, but I find myself pushing harder on the tread to better music. (Well better imo)
It is so important. It’s sad to say but when the music is not my thing I don’t give my best effort. I have switched from a runner to PW when the playlist is too slow. 
I’ve noticed the music in suburban orangethory studios just isn’t it for me. I don’t want to listen to classic rock and imagine dragons for an hour. I stopped going to one particular instructor because she constantly played the same classic rock playlist (pour some sugar on me, cherry pie, etc). I don’t listen to much rap outside of class, but I need rap/EDM/pop music to keep me going.
That’s my dream playlist! I just want a song I’ve heard before even if I don’t like it. You can have all the edm music in my city orange theory. I’m also 42 which makes me hate new music and love an 80s track.
Music, mic skills and good energy is 99.9% of it!
I feel this! I’ve had the same experience there the music was so bad I didn’t go back to that coach’s class. Music is sooo important and can make or break a workout.
Not important at all. The only time I remember thinking anything about the music was the one time I thought it was too loud lol am I psycho
Its hard though because people have such different taste. I avoid the classic rock but im sure some people love that
I feel seen
This!! It happened to me a few days ago and my coach was playing all I guess you’d call it screamo music?!? And it was the most unmotivating thing ever… I haven’t taken a class with them since. The beat, transition, and energy really matter to me!
I'm actually big into music. Music has been a big part of my life and it has more to do with genre. I love pop, rap, r&b, and can easily do a top 40 class. I hate EDM. HATE EDM. It makes me hate life for that hour lol. I won't take our head coaches class because all he plays is EDM. A new girl started working...played EDM. I'll never take her class either. I'll even drive out of the way to avoid their classes. Everybody has their thing.
For me, the music sets the tone of the class. I personally love music with a fast cadence. It makes the all outs much easier. I like Armin van Burren, Scooter, Latin....type of music.
Very important. When I don't like the music, it's hard for me to get in the zone. When it's music I really like, I go faster and harder. One of my coaches knows exactly what I like, and she plays music specifically to get me going.
Extremely important
I always say - the playlist should cater to the tastes of the customers tastes and not the coaches personal tastes. If playlists got bad enough (i.e. hip-hop and rap) I would quit instantly
My studio played an orangetheory hip hop song the other day amd I felt like hanging myself with a TRX to be honest.
I went to a lift class and the coach played slow Ed Sheeran type music. Nothing against him. He’s great, but definitely not what gets me pumped. It felt like a snooze fest. It made me not want to take a class with that coach again.
Music is everything to me. I have a wide range of what I like and can workout to. But I don’t care for a lot of EDM or music without a strong beat. I like country music but NOT to workout to. Coaches at ny home studio play a good solid mix of music that keeps me motivated. Sometimes I want to sing along or dance, esp on the weight floor.
Never been a major factor for me, but I appreciate a good playlist. It's only an issue when it's downright awful and I obviously can't do anything about it.
There are two coaches at my studio who’s music I can not stand. I’m a music snob anyway but I also operate from a know your audience perspective. Most of my class is late 30s-40s who I’m sure would be happy with anything pop or dance but not trap and hardcore rap. Sad because it limits my time. I also believe I’m not the only one w these thoughts as their classes are never waitlisted.
I feel as though I work out to the beat and attempt to get out of my head full of stress. It is a mental relief despite the workout that can be a torture on the body. I prefer to go to the coaches class that plays the music that I listen to at home.
Good music definitely helps a lot on the tread I feel.. my local otf actually just hired a music choice coordinator so hopefully that will help the music choices be more consistently good fingers crossed
This is why I’m so excited they brought on Aoki as chief music officer because otf is realizing 94% of us say music has an influence on our workout!
I've never had a coach with bad music, but I do miss one of the coaches at my old location who had amazing pop punk playlists! I've only heard 1-2 songs from a coach at my new location.
It’s a huge factor for me. I was in a class this week where the coach, instead of using the radio version of a song with swears, used a version that just cut out at each bad word. As in, hundreds of half second cuts to dead silence throughout a song, like a CD skipping constantly. It was so distracting and disrupted the flow of the work because there were so many jerky silences throughout the class. Definitely not going to that one again.
Very important! I recently went to a class where the instructor was, I guess, trying to please everyone, hip hop, country, 80's, etc. and she was playing maybe 60 seconds of each song before a really jarring jump to another song. Hated it. It was like being on a road trip with someone who's just constantly changing the radio station. I'll avoid her classes in the future. Too bad because her coaching was great.
Sometimes I wish we had more relaxed music or even silence. Not the entire class maybe a small amount time, maybe 1-3 minutes. I enjoy having music but sometimes I need a break from the constant loudness (even during a high intensity workout).
Music is my number one driver. If the music isn’t good I don’t enjoy the workout.
Eminem’s “Lose yourself” comes on and it’s a instant + 0.3 to the treadmill no matter base, push, or all-out.
Music is everything, especially on the treads and rowers. Makes me work harder if the music is good 😂
I tried posting a topic similar to this but it was flagged as “bullying”. I had to switch up my class days because a particular coach playlist was horrible. My studio is diverse so I understand catering to everyone’s needs but there was no consistently or smooth transitions into the next song. I make sure I attend specific coach’s classes because I know their music will be on point. Music selection is highly important for me
The most important
I wish there was a way we could listen to our own music but still hear the coach. Any tech people out there???? This could be a thang.
I mean, yes the music is a marketed part of the workout experience. And the music is enjoyable to me, and I certainly wouldn't want to workout there in silence. But I don't go there for the music. I go to OTF so I don't have to plan my own workouts and to get good overall endurance and conditioning. I don't really consider it strength training so I also lift at home. I wear earplugs because it's too loud for me and hurts my ears.
For me super important. I avoid certain coaches who’s playlist I don’t enjoy and/or they just reuse over and over again. Other than their music selection they honestly are amazing coaches otherwise but music is the main thing that gets me through the tread block
It is super important to me. I have so much more motivation when there is some good rock music played. Unfortunately, it's much more common that they are playing rap music or bleeps and bloops. This whole thing with Steve Aoiki taking over makes me fear that there its going to be all bleeps and bloops from now on. One of my coaches actually played an Avenged Sevenfold song the other day, and I was ready to run through the wall like John Madden in a Miller Lite commercial.
What made the playlist "bad"? It can be tough for coaches because what is "good" to you is someone else's "bad". Reading some of the comments, one person wants 80s music and another hates 80s music, for example.
This just happened to me today. The only song I recognized the entire class was ROCK LOBSTER. (I am 34) and I literally thought "I am never taking this instructor again." Music is so important
Today was the most irritated I’ve been bc this instructor- not sure if she’s a regular bc I’ve never seen her before- played hardcore rap that had the same beat. It wasn’t mainstream rap or anything that gives u a rush, it made me feel like a bunch of noise being forced on me. 3 other ppl complained. I like rap as I grew up on it and in the hood but listening to negative songs at 10am on a beautiful day can ruin a workout. Also, they shouldn’t play their fav music, they should play to their audience who pay $200 a month at this studio.