Search Results for 'playlist'

Meet the Trainer: Erin Jacques

February 12, 2013 at 9:46 am
By Jenna Autuori

What do you get when you blend Vinyasa with a cardio jam sesh? Erin Jacques’ hardcore workout mash-up: SLT Yoga, featured in our Pumped Up Poses Express Workout. Get ready to chaturanga your way to a stronger, leaner bod by incorporating strength training and ploymetric elements into your typical flow!

Fitness has fueled the modern yogi’s career for over fifteen years. After college, Erin landed a job with HBO/Time Warner, spearheading their corporate fitness program. She then moved on to working with Exhale Spa, leading the Core Fusion teacher training and becoming their National Yoga Director. Now, Erin is the cofounder of Manhattan’s first music-focused yoga studio, SLT Yoga (Strengthen, Lengthen and Tunes,) where she created the kick-ass Shred class. Holy sweat! The passionate self-acclaimed part DJ, part marathoner is known for her expertise and dynamic, athletic twist to a spiritual experience. We asked Erin about the best yoga moves for runners, the number one yogi mistake and her motivation secrets. Here’s what the Scrabble-lover had to say…and more!

How did you fall in love with yoga?
I was a competitive runner in college and soon got addicted to marathons. So initially I really needed something to help me stretch, unwind and not be so competitive. I remember I couldn’t even touch my toes.

When did you know that you not only wanted to practice yoga, but teach it as well?
Since I have been in the fitness industry for over 15 years, I always knew yoga would be something I could incorporate into my classes and trainings. So I went ahead and completed the certifications to have that under my belt. As I got deeper into my yoga practice, I wanted to broaden my “knowledge” of the practice. I was living in Birmingham, Michigan and studied under Jonny Kest. I actually resisted teaching “yoga” for a while because I selfishly didn’t want it to interfere with my practice.  [NOTE: Jonny is the founder of Michigan-based Center for Yoga known for a compassionate, disciplined teaching style.]

Why should we be combining yoga moves with fast-paced cardio routines or bursts?
I have been teaching classes since when STEP aerobics was HOT. I have always been fascinated by how the body moves and realizing it doesn’t take much to get the heart rate up…using ones body as resistance, incorporating an emphasis on breath and creating certain sequences (choreographing) is essentially what yoga is. So why can’t we use yoga poses and moves to build up a nice cardio pace using breath to heat up the body and weights as added resistance to boost the intensity of a class? We can! Read more

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Music Monday: The Grammy Performances Rocked Our Socks

February 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm
By Samantha Shelton

We know you’ve already gotten one workout playlist this week, but we just couldn’t resist pulling together another one after last night’s Grammy awards. With artists killing their performances one after the other, our ears were in heaven; our eyes weren’t unhappy either while watching Justin Timberlake bring sexy back with Jay-Z and Alicia Keys dominating on the drums with Maroon 5. If these tracks weren’t on your playlists already, be sure to download them immediately. If not, you’ll be missing out on some serious musical motivation.

Now you tell us: Did you watch the Grammy’s last night? What was your favorite performance?

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Music Monday: Your All-Time Favorite Love Songs

February 11, 2013 at 10:01 am
By Samantha Shelton

Whether you’re single or coupled up, love is in the air this February! Instead of hating on February 14, we’ve decided to take a more optimistic approach: showing our friends, family and loved ones just how much they mean to us, whether it’s through a quick “thinking of you” note, a box of conversation hearts or a workout playlist.

Wait, what was that last one? Yes, we said a workout playlist – how else are you going to share the best songs all about love? After all, music is such a dominant part of our every day lives, and it’s such an easy way to tell someone how you’re feeling. So we turned to our friends at Sony to find out exactly what you wanted to hear. Turns out, you guys are all suckers for the mushy, gushy songs belted out by chart toppers like Aerosmith and the late Whitney Houston.

So go ahead and plug in your headphones for this playlist and indulge in the serenades that top Americans’ list during your next sweet, er, sweat session.

Now you tell us: What’s your favorite love song?

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Music Monday: Beyonce’s Super Bowl Halftime Playlist

February 4, 2013 at 10:59 am
By Marianne Magno

Whether you were rooting for the 49ers or the Ravens, or barely paying attention last night, we think there’s one thing we can all agree on: Beyonce rocked the halftime show at this year’s Super Bowl. B stomped out on stage and delighted the audience with her hits — and even brought out Kelly and Michelle, a long-awaited Destiny’s Child reunion! Queen B and the Destiny’s Child ladies are on our playlists on most days anyway, so we’ll happily work out to this playlist today.

Tell us: What were your favorite moments from Super Bowl XLVII ?

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Music Monday: Taylor Swift’s Top Tunes

January 28, 2013 at 9:51 am
By Samantha Shelton

A good bee-bopping song tossed into our workout mix every now and then is a great pick-me-up; something catchy that will undoubtedly end up stuck in our heads for the rest of the day, if not the entire week. T-Swift is one young artist who fills this playlist gap quite well – we have to admit, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is great for holding a 9-minute mile. And since Swift is sitting pretty at the top of the iTunes chart with her grungier hit, “I Knew You Were Trouble” (check out the video), it’s time to highlight some of our favorite hits from the star. She may be constantly switching beaus, but it makes for great music. Pop those headphones in and get ready to head bob your way to the gym. Go ahead and sing a little, too – we won’t tell.

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Music Monday: Justin Timberlake Is Back!

January 14, 2013 at 11:23 am
By Marianne Magno

If like us you’ve waited six long years to hear something new from JT, then this weekend’s release of his new single “Suit and Tie” was nothing but music to your ears. (Listen to it here and tell us what you think!)

We’re dancing in our seats to celebrate Mr. SexyBack’s return to the radio, which got us to thinking about our favorite sweat-to-it songs from his previous albums. Download the playlist below for your next workout.

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Music Monday: Top Tunes From Your Favorite Artists

January 7, 2013 at 5:30 pm
By Samantha Shelton

Last Monday, we presented you with the most-searched songs of 2012. But that’s not enough for your music-loving ears, is it? Although 2012 may be fading away, the hottest artists are still dominating our playlists. So with a little more help from our friends over at Yahoo!, we dug up the top searched artists of the year. With that as our inspiration, how could we not have a new playlist just begging for a new dose of sweat? Check it out below, then let us know which of these artists songs you love the most!

Now you tell us: Who was your favorite artist of 2012?

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Music Monday: The Top Tunes of 2012

December 31, 2012 at 9:44 am
By Samantha Shelton

Here at FITNESS, we like to play music. A lot. It’s not uncommon to see editors working away at their desks with headphones plugged in, jamming to the latest beats. And every Monday, you know you’ll find a new playlist on The Fit Stop.

So for the last Monday in 2012, let’s have a final jam session to launch us into the new year on a high note. With a little help from our friends at Yahoo!, we present to you the most-searched songs of the year -  we gotta admit, you guys have great taste.

Now you tell us: What was your favorite song of the year?

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Happy Holidays from FITNESS!

December 24, 2012 at 9:28 am
By Marianne Magno

We’re wishing our lovely readers a happy, healthy holiday season. We hope you’re spending time with the ones you love and enjoying good food, good drinks and good company.

To add extra cheer as you get ready for your celebrations, we’re taking a cue from DailyBurn.com trainer Keaira LaShae and moving along to the holiday hits. “Dancing is the best way to stay fit while taking the time to celebrate with your family and friends at this time of year,” she says. Hey, dancing along while you tidy up or get dinner ready counts as a workout!

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Music Monday: The Grammy Edition

December 17, 2012 at 8:30 am
By FITNESS Intern

Written by Jennifer Fiorentino, editorial intern

The Grammy Award nominations have been announced, leaving us inspired to take a trip down memory lane and relive some of the year’s hottest playlist picks. The problem with so many fab finds? There are too many to choose from!

But in honor of music’s biggest night, we gathered our top tunes from the hottest artists dominating the music scene right now. Make sure they’re on repeat during your workouts, then find out who wins top honors in February.

Now you tell us: Who are your favorite nominees?

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