Pop Culture | Video Games | 80s

80s Kids Rejoice, There's A Workout Mix That Turns Your Gym Into A Video Game - For Charity!

Playing a video game is an easy way to experience some crazy situations that you would never go through in your real life. For example, how many evil giant turtle men have you faced in your day? Probably none, right? Well, in the video game world we have all battled Bowser more times than we can count, so at least that's something.

One of the best parts about these games is the music. It's always able to get you psyched up to battle the boss and makes you feel like you can conquer anything. You may not even realize how much it can affect you, but if you ever try to play them with the music muted, you will absolutely feel the difference.

One company has decided to bring the powerful motivational energy that this music gives you and translate it to your real life in a way that will make you feel like you are living in the game. Run Hundred has created an 80s-inspired 8-bit-style collection of music that is the perfect way to get your workout in, and it is all for a good cause.

Run Hundred's project isn't just going to get you feeling ready to run, it's also going to help people around the world. The profits from the two disc collection are being donated to Run Hundred's charitable partners which help people across America and in 70 countries around the world.

The music itself is really amazing and will make you feel like you are a character in one of your favorite video games.

But where did the idea for an 8-bit workout mix come from? Well, the creator realized just how much fun the music was while they were driving in their car. Chris Lawhorn, creator of the mix explained his process.

"A while back, someone gave me a CD of 8-bit video game music. (If you’re unfamiliar with the term, “8-bit” games were those played on ’80s consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Master System.) I gave the CD a listen in the car, which was surreal–as it made me feel like I was in a driving video game. For ages afterward, I would put it on for friends while running errands because it made you feel as if you were racing around the city–even if you were just cruising to the grocery store."

Run Hundred

He realized that this would translate really well into other areas. "Recently, I found myself wondering if songs like this would have the same effect in an exercise mix. Having since experimented with the idea a bit, the effect is actually two-fold. On one hand, there’s the momentum you expect from music like this. Given that it’s often created for games where characters are racing–in a car or on foot–to beat the clock, this seems natural. The part that surprised me, though, was the consistent joy the music produced."

There are two types of CDs available, one that is strictly 8-bit style music, and the second mixes the 8-bit beats with some more modern hooks. The best part is that you don't have to choose. You will get both copies of the mixes for only $10, so you can decide for yourself which one gets you the most pumped up.

If you want to preview the music before downloading, you can do so here, or if you are ready to support the Run Hundred charity efforts you can click right through to this link and order your copy now.

It's the best possible way to mix your favorite hobby with some charitable efforts, all while getting a great workout. You really can't lose!