Harley Quinn Aesthetic

A workout playlist for my lifting alter ego

**DISCLAIMER** I think it’s important to preface this playlist by saying, that I haven’t read any of the comics so I don’t know much about the lore of Harley Quinn. So, this is my very basic knowledge of her through Birds of Prey. Okay- let’s jump in!

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Beyonce has Sasha Fierce; Donald Glover has Childish Gambino. These alter egos can be personas that get you into a different headspace. For artists, it’s often for getting on stage and performing in front of crowds of people, but for me, I use it at the gym to power me through my workouts.

For context, I’ve worked religiously for the last 10+ years so I’ve listened to a lot of workout playlists. I went through a period of browsing a lot of “Woman in a Marvel Movie” type playlists which I love because you can feel like a superhero, but I find they are missing something.

When I’m at the gym throwing weights around with my headphones in, blasting music, I like to channel my inner Harley Quinn. She’s feminine, slightly glamorous, and a little unhinged. (Dare I say- Harley Quinn is the ultimate brat.) She’s kind of a mess, but she's still fearless and confident. She’s human, a flawed anti-hero, and even when she’s in her feelings, she is definitely not someone to mess with. She has a raw, dark side that I don’t get from the other superhero playlists.

This playlist is for the inner chaos and BDE, I need to energize me through my workout. You don’t have to be a gym girlie to enjoy this playlist. It can be great for any activity you need to feel energized, in charge, and powerful, and it will help channel your confidence.

I spend my life outside the gym trying to be my best self, be considerate of others, be polite, and use my inside voice. And, don’t get me wrong, I love that about myself, but at the gym, in the world inside my headphones, I get to release the chaos. I find that embracing this chaotic spirit lets me push myself and get stronger week after week.

This playlist gets me in a reactive zone (for the astrology girlies out there- think Aries), like lighting a match. Just like a match that quickly catches fire, this playlist is the key to getting out of my head and not think too much. I can jump into my workout with a strong, confident, hype playlist, and it helps me lift heavier and squeeze out more reps.

This playlist is giving maniac. It’s giving walking away in slow motion from an explosion in the distance, but maybe with some cutesy colorful fireworks in the background. It’s not neccesarily villain era, but what it is giving is a slighted/wronged anti-hero who acts with her whole chest even though she’s got some emotional things going on internally. She’s still powering through.

Bird’s of Prey is kind of about revenge, but I’d like to think of it as taking charge of your own life and destiny- taking your power back.

The other aesthetic I liken to this energy is Charlize Theron doing her own stunts in tailored designer clothes and high heels in Atomic Blonde. (For those who know me in real life, you know that this is one of my favorite movies. ) And for those that aren’t familiar with this movie, that’s more or less the plot of the movie with some additional spy content, but yes- Charlize did her own stunts and even broke some ribs in the process.

To me, there is nothing more badass than that. It perfectly depicts the kind of femininity I want to emulate- stylish, beautiful, but not afraid to get her hands dirty.

This playlist is all over the place, covering decades and genres because Harley is equally all over the place. There’s a little bit of alt-rock, emo, female classic rock, rap and pop. It includes a lot of siren sounding that I like to think are going off because I did something really badass. It’s got a lot of beats that are perfect for feeling like it’s game time and you’re walking into the arena.

Happy listening!

xoxo

Lyrics from this playlist that will make you feel as unstoppable as Harley Quinn:

“You’ve got the crown, baby, don’t give it up now” - “Goddess” by Krewella, NERVA, Raja Kumari

“I pack a punch backed into a corner” - “Little Girl Gone” by CHINCHILLA

“Everything I got, I got working for me” - “YES MOM” by Tessa Violet

“Did it independent 'cause I got what I need so” “YES MOM” by Tessa Violet

“I’m the one to beat” “YES MOM” by Tessa Violet

“Suena la sirena/ Regresó la montra pa' comérselos de cena” (which translates to The siren sounds/ The monster returned to eat them for dinner” - “Como un Dragón” Rita Indiana

“Break a heart like an eggshell” - “Tantrum” by Ashnikko

“When they finally come to destroy the earth They'll have to go through you first”- “Invincible” by Okay Go

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What do you usually work out to? Let me know in the comments!