workout music

Music Monday: Better After Breakup

November 7, 2011 at 10:23 am
By Karla Walsh

After Kim Kardashian announced her impending divorce last week, the nation has been talking a lot about breakups. While we can’t all relate to a “two-night event” TV special for our wedding or a 20.5-carat engagement ring, nearly all of us have experienced a rough breakup at one time or another!

One thing that’s sure to make us feel a bit better during tough times? Hitting the gym to sweat out stress! So here are our top 10 empowering workout songs, all by strong females, to put you in the mood to get moving.

• “Cowboy Casanova,” Carrie Underwood
• “Stronger,” Britney Spears
• “Rumour Has It,” Adele
• “I Forgive You,” Kelly Clarkson
• “Get Myself Together,” Robyn
• “You Had Me,” Joss Stone
• “Blind,” Ke$ha
• “Mama’s Broken Heart,” Miranda Lambert
• “Gonna Get Over You,” Sara Barreilles
• “Don’t Speak,” No Doubt

Now tell us: What helps you feel more like yourself again after a breakup?

More from FITNESS: These celebs tasted sweet revenge by getting their best body ever after their relationships ended! See how they did it.

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LAST CALL: Marathon Monday Playlist!

October 31, 2011 at 2:58 pm
By Jenna Autuori

This is it! Last week before my very first marathon. I’m a bunch of nerves, butterflies and excitement right now—besides wanting to make it through the 26.2 miles, I’m pumped up to see the crowds, run through the boroughs and be part of this “marathon club.” I’m totally psyched and can’t wait to do this! I’ve got our last marathon playlist here for you (we’re in such a tune-filled mood, we couldn’t help but share two lists today), with favorite songs from the FITNESS editors and many of our friends. We’ve clearly got a crush on Eminem and Kanye!

To anyone running the streets of New York City on Sunday, good luck and look for me out there! (Follow me on Twitter @FITNESSjenna to get updates about my experience.)

• “Lose Yourself,” Eminem
• “Dog Days are Over,” Florence + the Machine
• “Club Can’t Handle Me,” Flo Rida, featuring David Guetta
• “Fighter,” Christina Aguilera
• “‘Till I Collapse,” Eminem and Nate Dogg
• “O. . .Saya,” A.R. Rahman and M.I.A.
• “Bleeding Love,” Leona Lewis
• “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga
• “Alright 2010 (Original Mix),” Red Carpet
• “Only Girl (In the World),” Rihanna
• “Stronger,” Kanye West
• “Watch Me Shine,” Joanna Pacitti
• “Run the World (Girls),” Beyonce
• “Light Up the World,” Glee Cast
• “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger),” Kelly Clarkson
• “Call Your Girlfriend,” Robyn
• “You Make Me Feel,” Cobra Starship, featuring Sabi
• “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z, featuring Alicia Keys
• “What You Waiting For?” Gwen Stefani
• “Touch the Sky,” Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco
• “One Shot 2 Shot,” Eminem
• “The Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga
• “Ace of Spades,” Motorhead
• “Loser Like Me,” Glee Cast
• “Lights,” Ellie Goulding

More from FITNESS: Click here for 100 more motivating tunes!

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Music Monday: Your Total-Body Tune-Up Workout Playlist

October 17, 2011 at 11:52 am
By Marianne Magno

This summer, I got the chance to try trainer Amanda Russell’s AR Program at Hudson River Park. Her group workout was a mix of plyometrics and strength exercises, and combined with Amanda’s motivating cues, the one-hour session got my energy up and my muscles working full time!

Pump up your own workout this week with Amanda’s picks for motivating tunes to move to.

• Warm-up: “Human,” The Killers
• “Without You,” David Guetta, featuring Usher
• “Mr. Jones,” Counting Crows
• “Beds Are Burning,” Novaspace
• “Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor
• “Sex on Fire,” Kings of Leon
• “Bleeding Love (Workout Remix),” Leona Lewis/Workout DJs
• “The Edge of Glory,” Lady Gaga
• “Raise Your Glass,” P!nk
• “Firework,” Katy Perry
• “Touch My Body (Workout Remix),” Mariah Carey/Power Music Workout
• “Grenade (CPR Remix),” by GG
• “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey
• “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
• “Not Enough Time,” INXS
• Cooldown: “Glitter in the Air,” P!nk

Don’t forget to check out Amanda’s YouTube channel for motivating videos and tips!

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Music Monday: Confidence-Boosting Playlist

October 3, 2011 at 12:05 pm
By Marianne Magno

Sometimes you need more than a good beat to push you through a workout…or to get you started on any workout at all. The songs below never fail to boost my mood and have helped me pick up the pace on runs:

• “Skyscraper,” Demi Lovato
• “Raise Your Glass,” P!nk
• “More,” Usher
• “Dog Days Are Over,” Florence + The Machine
• “Strip Me,” Natasha Bedingfield
• “Moves Like Jagger,” Maroon 5
• “Hell on Heels,” Pistol Annies
• “Get Outta My Way,” Kylie Minogue

Tell us: Which songs are your go-to mood boosters?

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What’s Your Exercise Quirk?

August 15, 2011 at 10:26 am
By Colleen Moody

The other day on my morning run a traumatic event happened. My headphones broke (gasp!). OK, so things could have been worse. I wasn’t suffering from any broken bones nor was I struck by a car, so in the grand scheme of things everything was just fine. But for anyone who heavily depends on their pump up playlist to get them through a run, bike, strength training session, etc., you know what a huge impact this has on your workout!

Finishing up sans tunes I realized that it’s not just music that keeps me going through my run, it’s certain songs. The playlist that I made when training for and doing the New York City Marathon last year is actually the only thing I listen to when I run. And I don’t even shuffle it! I’m at the point where I know exactly what song will play where, and what’s coming up next. Some would think this gets boring but for me, it’s my motivation.

After talking to a few friends, I realized that this might just be my exercise quirk — my must-have I need to have a successful workout. But I’m not alone. One friend of mine admitted to having a lucky sports bra that she wears for races while another pal has actually kicked someone off “her” bike in a Spinning class because she feels it gives her the best ride! Looks like I got off lucky, I’ll take a repetitive playlist over a cycling confrontation any day!

So tell us: Do you have an exercise quirk? What is it?

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Alexis Thompson: Pro Golf’s Teen Phenom

August 12, 2011 at 2:59 pm
By Karla Walsh

Alexis Thompson shot into the spotlight as the youngest golfer, male or female, to ever qualify for the U.S. Open tournament (she was just 12 years old!). Four years later and now a Red Bull athlete, Alexis has turned pro, although she’s limited to six tournaments per year until age 18. But her 5’11 frame and intense training and practice routine has helped her become one of the longest hitters playing in LPGA events!

Yesterday, Alexis stopped by our offices after spending a day inspiring a few up-and-coming female junior golfers from the Northeast. We were inspired as well by her positive attitude and dedication to her sport. Here are five lessons we learned from the teen who’s coming out swinging:

1. Make it a family affair. Alexis has a golf-rich clan. “My 28-year-old brother is on the PGA Tour and my 18-year-old brother is on the LSU golf team,” Alexis says. And she has some indispensable help out on the course. “My dad is my caddy. He puts confident thoughts in my head and knows my game the best.”
2. Train smart. “I play and practice six or seven hours on the golf course and workout with my trainer for 60 to 90 minutes a day,” she says. The trainer she’s referring to? Craig Slaunwhite, who is also the strength and conditioning coach for the NHL’s Florida Panthers. They focus a lot on balance and flexibility, for example, practicing a golf swing on a Bosu ball. And cardio is also important: “I never did it before six months ago, and now running is one of my favorite activities. It boosts my energy—after I finish a round I feel like I can play 18 more!”
3. Stay well-fueled. Although her dad may not love toting around the extra weight, Alexis stocks plenty of snacks in her golf bag. “I try to eat every three holes and pack bananas, apples, trail mix and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You can’t always rely on what they sell along the course,” Alexis says.
4. Get pumped up. “My iPod is an important part of my equipment so I can tune everyone out before I play,” she says. Alexis loves hip-hop and rap. Her current playlist picks include “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO and “I’m On One” by DJ Khaled, featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil’ Wayne.
5. Follow your passion. “No one has to tell me to practice. I love being out there,” she says. And her mom, who also met with us yesterday, said that Alexis would often miss dinner to stay out on the fairways. “I won’t be able to sleep if I end on a bad note,” Alexis admits. “I can’t go home until I hit at least one good shot when I’m having a bad day!”

Now tell us: What athlete motivates you to bring your A game?

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Music Monday: ’80s Style

August 8, 2011 at 12:38 pm
By Karla Walsh

We all love Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” and Olivia Newton-John’s ”Physical,” but there are plenty more great 1980s songs that are perfect for your workout playlist. Flashback to the era of leg warmers and Jane Fonda with these motivating tunes:

• “Walk This Way,” Run-DMC
• “Love is a Battlefield,” Pat Benetar
• “Maniac,” Michael Sembello
• “Bille Jean,” Michael Jackson
• “Push It,” Salt-n-Pepa
• “Just Like Heaven,” The Cure
• “Into the Groove,” Madonna
• “Let’s Go Crazy,” Prince
• “Jump (For My Love),” Pointer Sisters

Now tell us: What era’s music keeps you moving?

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Music Monday: Rise and Shine Workout Playlist

August 1, 2011 at 9:48 am
By Marianne Magno

Happy Monday! While the start of a new week offers exciting possibilities, sometimes we wish we could extend the weekend just a little bit longer. Get energized for a fresh start with a list of songs that never fail to perk up our Facebook fans:

• “Beautiful Day,” U2
• “Super Bass,” Nicki Minaj
• “It’s My Life,” Bon Jovi
• “Let’s Get It Started,” Black Eyed Peas
• “Lose Yourself,” Emimen
• “Daylight,” Better Than Ezra
• “Honey Bee,” Blake Shelton
• “Jammin’,” Bob Marley

Tell us: What songs motivate you to wake up and go?

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Kickin’ It At the World Cup: Reflections From Soccer Player Amy Rodriguez

July 28, 2011 at 9:48 am
By Karla Walsh

A few weeks ago, all eyes turned to women’s soccer. The sport that rarely gets the attention it deserves (those ladies are serious athletes!) finally got its due when the U.S. team made it all the way to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Finals against Japan. The Japanese won in a nail-biting shootout, but the tenacity of the Americans throughout the tournament surely inspired a new generation of soccer enthusiasts stateside.

Since coming in second place is still a “win” in our books, we wanted to catch up with one of Team U.S.A.’s stars, Amy Rodriguez, about her feelings post-World Cup.

What has been the most memorable part of this year’s World Cup experience for you?

Winning the quarterfinal game against Brazil. It was so dramatic, exciting, and exhausting. My team worked so hard to come back and tie the score up in the last minute of double overtime. Winning in a penalty shoot out made the game even more memorable.

It was amazing to see and feel the support we got from fans in the U.S. while we were in Germany, and I hope the excitement around women’s soccer is something that will keep growing!

Which is more exciting: The Olympics or the World Cup?

They both are in their own way, and both only come around once every four years. The World Cup is exciting because it is a soccer-specific tournament and the best 16 teams in the world compete. All different sports compete at the Olympics, including soccer, so the events are filled with the world’s best athletes.

Keep reading to find out how Amy trains her quick feet and to discover what artist pumps her up before a match.

Read more

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Music Monday: ‘We the Kings’ Rocks Our Workouts

July 18, 2011 at 10:12 am
By Samantha Shelton

Here at FITNESS, we dabble in a lot of different genres while trying to keep our exercise playlists fresh (yes, even country!). But pop-rock always delivers some feel-good tunes that keep us motivated while we get our sweat on! We the Kings released their latest album last Tuesday and we can’t stop listening. Check out our favorites from the album, along with some flashbacks to their earlier works:

• “Friday is Forever,” Sunshine State of Mind
• “Every Single Dollar,” Sunshine State of Mind
• “The Secret to New York,” Sunshine State of Mind
• “She Takes Me High,” Smile Kid
• “Heaven Can Wait,” Smile Kid
• “The Story of Your Life,” Smile Kid
• “Skyway Avenue,” We the Kings
• “Check Yes Juliet,” We the Kings
• “Stay Young,” We the Kings

Now tell us: What music genre makes you sweat the most?

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