A big part of creating an atmosphere that encourages heavy lifting and hard work comes down to your choice of music.

You can have all the top-notch Eleiko bars, colored plates, Watson dumbbells, Hammer Strength machines, lifting platforms, indoor turfs, sleds and whathaveyou but if the music blasting through the speakers at your gym sucks, you won't enjoy training to the max.

And to those who believe training music doesn't really have an effect on your workouts...

Pffft.

If it didn't, why do we see so many pro athletes attempting to get in the zone before a big game with their headphones on?

In fact, it has been scientifically proven that your test levels drop by 38.7% when Britney, Justin, Christina, or any of the dozens of effeminate pop singers polluting the airwaves penetrate your ear channels. And your estrogen and cortisol nearly double.

So don't tell me music don't matter.

I'm a huge proponent of heavy rock music to get yourself in lifting mood. Crank some Metallica, Iron Maiden, Killswitch Engage, In Flames and I'm game.

Good rap music, though hard to find these days, also has a similar effect on me.

I've been training to old school hip hop with dope beats and rhymes from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Nas a lot lately.

You can add 50 Cent to that list, for sure. His lyrics mix cockiness, aggressiveness and testicular fortitude that'll put you in a powerful state of mind at the power rack.

Check out some of these better tracks by "Fiddy":

* You Don't Know

* If I Can't

* Outta Control

* Still Kill ft. Akon (Joker Inc Mash-Up)

* Get Up

* I'll Whip Ya Head Boy

Done.

Testosterone-boosting playlist sorted out for tonight's gym session.

And here's your workout:

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