In our never-ending quest to find great music to work out to, our prayers have been answered, thanks to Apple. Apple Music has just launched playlists from Keep it Cleaner app founders, Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw, as part of the “Music That Moves Me” series. KIC is an online lifestyle program that helps you live and strive for a better life. The team’s HIIT, boxing, running, strength training, healthy meal plans, regular meditation sessions, and life hacks will show you how to live a clean life without letting go of the fun. No need to be rigid or strict with your lifestyle when you’re keeping it cleaner with these girls.
“Music That Moves Me” is a popular Apple Music playlist series where prominent Australian athletes, fitness and wellness experts share playlists that they’ve personally designed to help them stay motivated, focused or unwind. In recent months, superstars including world champion surfer Tyler Wright and Matilda’s captain Sam Kerr have created Apple Music playlists to help inspire listeners around the country. Steph and Laura also join the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky and the Centr app experts with personal soundtracks on Apple Music to keep fitness and music fans motivated.
Music That Moves Me: Laura Henshaw’s Playlist
- Supplied by Apple
“Music is such a big part of my movement, and always helps me with motivation to get into my Keep it Cleaner workouts,” Laura Henshaw tells Apple Music. “I tend to choose a playlist that ties in with how I feel and what I want to focus on in my movement.” Together with Steph Claire Smith, the pair’s health and wellbeing app Keep it Cleaner focuses on mindfulness and mental health alongside fitness and food, and Laura knows how important music can be for every moment—even the more difficult ones. “Sometimes when I am stressed or overwhelmed I like to listen to softer and more calming music,” says the coach, model and wellness influencer.
“Other times, when I feel like smashing out an intense workout, I need a good, fast-paced playlist. I love to run, and I can’t do it without music. I love uplifting playlists with a bit of techno tied in for that extra motivation. When I’m doing higher intensity KIC HIIT session, I need my music to be fast-paced and not too slow.”
“Music is such an important part of what we do at Keep it Cleaner and so I was so honored to be able to write this playlist for Apple. When you get to a tough part of your workout or are ready to take it to the next level a good song can completely transform your mindset and give that last little bit of motivation! For me, hearing Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, which I have of course included in my Apple playlist takes my motivation levels to 100. I’m so excited to share my ultimate workout playlist and hope it offers you the same motivation is does me!” Laura has hand-picked the tracks in this playlist, and here she discusses some of her favorite songs:
- Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”: I am a huge Taylor Swift fan and I love all of her music, but there is something extra special about this one that makes it one of my favorite songs. I find no matter how I feel, this song always lifts my mood and makes me want to move.
- Alicia Keys, “Girl On Fire”: This song came out around my 20th birthday. It always makes me feel a bit nostalgic when I listen to it. It always gives me that extra push of motivation when it comes on during a workout.
- Dom Dolla, “San Frandisco”: One of my favorite songs to run (and dance to). Dom is one of my old friends! It makes me smile and think back to a particular time in my late teens. It has such a great beat, and I find I always go a little faster when the beat drops.”
- Rihanna, “Umbrella”: This is another nostalgic song for me. It reminds me of summer, dancing, and having fun! It always brightens my day and workout when I hear it.”
- Beyoncé, “Formation”: I LOVE everything about Beyonce and this song. I feel so strong, and empowered when it comes on. It gives me instant confidence when it comes on during a workout.
Music That Moves Me: Steph Claire Smith’s Playlist
“I love music that tends to take me back to a memory,” Steph Claire Smith tells Apple Music. “Every one of my playlists includes super nostalgic tunes that make me smile.” Together with her business partner, Laura Henshaw, the wellness influencer and online fitness coach champions wellbeing, health and mindfulness via the hugely popular lifestyle app Keep It Cleaner. Smith’s workouts vary regularly, but music is a constant behind it all. The tracks in this playlist are her go-to favorites. “It gets me in a good mood and keeps me entertained during a workout,” she says. “There’s got to be a good beat of course! I tend to listen to R&B for KIC boxing workouts, electronic for KIC HIIT and ‘80s-early 2000s for KIC Strength workouts.
“Through working out at live events with our Keep It Cleaner community, I have found that music can make the biggest difference to all of our energies. Whether it’s a tune that takes you back to a happy memory or just a song with a great beat, music can motivate you to push harder and really pump out those extra reps! I love to smile during my workouts, and dance in my breaks! So for me, hearing a song like ‘2 times’ by Ann Lee, takes me right back down memory lane! I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves listening to those nostalgic songs during a workout. I hope you all enjoy my Apple playlist as much as I do!” Below, Steph talks more about her top picks on the playlist:
- Kanye West, “Black Skinhead”: The beat to this song is just so insanely perfect. This is great for an intense workout or a run. I always pick up the pace as soon as it comes on.
- Destiny’s Child, “Jumpin’ Jumpin’”: Beyoncé is a boss! Any Destiny’s Child song has some sort of empowering feel to it. Every time this comes on I find myself singing along to it as I move.
- Drake, “Toosie Slide”: Definitely a tune for a strength workout. If I ever catch it in one of my breaks I end up breaking out into the TikTok dance!”
- Joel Corry, “Sorry”: This song just reminds me of summer, like an outdoor summer music festival. I just want to jump up and down as if I’m in a dance pit listening to them live. It has such a great beat for a workout.
- Ann Lee, “2 Times”: This song just takes me back to my childhood. It must have been on a random mix CD I had. All I remember is dancing around in my bedroom to it. It always makes me smile mid-workout.
