Boost Your Workout: Your Go-To Playlist For Running And Cycling

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Boost Your Workout: Your Go-To Playlist For Running And Cycling

21 Apr 2025

Photo: Midjourney x Sandy Times

How often do you work out? If you are in Dubai — a city where almost every building has its own gym, and cycling feels like part of the local DNA — probably quite usually. And we all know that good music is half the battle — it sets the pace, lifts your mood, and keeps you going. But who really knows the perfect tracks for your workout better than the ones who live and breathe sport? So, we asked The Sandy Times friends — the ones who are breaking running records and starting their mornings on two wheels — to share their favourite workout tips and tracks!

Here is their playlist — ready for you on Spotify and Apple Music. Hit play, and scroll down to see who is behind the vibes and flows.

Abdulla Hindash

Dubai-based athlete and artist, best known for his passion for running and his regular presence at nearly every running event in the city

— Running with music or in silence?

— It really depends on the environment and how I am feeling. Most of the time, music helps me get into the zone — but sometimes, it just feels like extra noise. Tuning into my stride and the sounds around me can be a priceless experience.

— What song helps you push through the final kilometre?

— Heavy rock. It gives me that final adrenaline kick I need to keep going.

— Do you have a pre-run ritual?

— Yep — electrolytes and a bit of dynamic stretching to wake everything up.

— What is your personal running record?

— 10K in 41 minutes. I am still pretty new to running compared to the veterans in my field, but I love the grind and constantly pushing to improve.

Photo: @abhindash

Vladimir Shcheblykin

Head of Custom at Veter.Ae, the mind behind their cycling uniforms and a true running legend on the side

— Running with music or in silence?

— Most of the time, I go for podcasts — anything from running advice to history or true crime. If I am out with friends, we are usually chatting and joking the whole way. But when it is a tough session and I need an extra push, that is when the music comes on.

— What song helps you push through the final kilometre?

— It really depends on the mood — I have got different playlists for different days. Lately, I have been on a nostalgia kick, blasting the heavy tracks I loved in high school. Early 2000s stuff that still gives me a rush.

— Do you have a pre-run ritual?

— I usually head out on an empty stomach, maybe just a few sips of electrolytes before. It has been my routine for years, and it works.

— What is your personal running record?

— I focus on 5 kilometres, 10 kilometres, and half marathons. My best times so far are 15:55 for 5 kilometres and 1:11:11 for half marathon.

Alex Zenishin

Head of Marketing at Contrast Wellness, is the kind of person whose wishlists always start with something cycling-related

— Cycling with music or in silence?

— Music and no exceptions. The only rule — turn on awareness mode in your headphones so you can still hear cars and ambient sounds. That is especially important if you are cycling on roads with traffic — otherwise, it can be risky.

— What song helps you push through the final kilometre?

— This is actually funny — I never listen to electronic music in everyday life, but when I am on the bike, it is either EDM or rock. I think it is because of the high BPM — it really helps me keep up a strong rhythm and stay in the zone.

— Do you have a pre-cycling ritual?

— I don't have any specific rituals, except electrolytes, but they are a must. Especially for cycling in the UAE, with the intense heat.

When you ride for a long time, you lose a lot of water — and with it, essential salts. That sodium-potassium pump in your cells? Needs constant replenishing. So I always add electrolytes to my bottle before the ride and keep sipping throughout.

— What is your personal running record?

— I have been wanting to take part in some amateur races lately — that is where people usually set their personal records. But I haven't had the chance to do one yet, so technically, no PR for me... For now, according to Strava, my personal best is 91 kilometres in Al Qudra with an average speed of 31.2 km/h.

Sofia Brontvein

Publisher at The Sandy Times and the person who uses cycling to chill out after the team zooms.

— Cycling with music or in silence?

— Always with music — it helps me disconnect — from work, from daily routines, even from personal stuff. Sometimes I imagine I am a movie character, so while I am cycling, I am also daydreaming, drifting far from the everyday.

— What song helps you push through the final kilometre?

— People are always surprised when they hear what I listen to during workouts. It isn't the typical high-BPM, motivational stuff. I prefer old music — 60s, 70s, 80s. Think Andrea Bocelli, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen… the kind of tracks no one expects to hear while cycling. But for me, that is what makes it special.

— Do you have a pre-cycling ritual?

— About an hour before I ride, I always have a light snack — some protein, yogurt, fruit, maybe a date — just enough to fuel me without feeling heavy. I also switch my iPhone to airplane mode and take a moment to choose the route I am going to cycle through. That little routine helps me get into the right headspace.

— What is your personal cycling record?

— My longest ride was 98 kilometres in Switzerland — across Lake Geneva and through the mountains. I was not thinking about cadence, watts, or speed. I just wanted to ride as far as I could.

That kind of long-distance cycling feels impossible for me in Dubai. In Dubai, 50 kilometres is usually my limit before I am completely wiped out.

by Barbara Yakimchuk