workout playlist

Music Monday: Heat Up Your Summer With Celeb Trainer Lacey Stone’s Playlist Picks

May 21, 2012 at 11:02 am
By Karla Walsh

Lacey Stone has shared her fit tips on The Dr. Oz Show, MTV’s MADE and Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels, and Hollywood all-stars like Nicole Kidman, Brooke Shields, Amanda Peet and America Ferrera have shaped up fast with her help. We were lucky enough to join celebrity trainer Lacey Stone at a recent KiwiSweat cycling class and found her intensity infectious.

A big driver behind all of that fire? Her killer playlist! We asked Stone to share her favorite songs for summer so you can channel that energy in your workouts too.

• “The Fighter,” Gym Class Heroes, featuring Ryan Tedder
• “Can’t Stop Me (Tiesto Remix),” Afrojack; Shermanology
• “Girl Gone Wild,” Madonna vs. Avicii
• “Beware (Jay-Z Remix),” Panjabi MC
• “Turn Up the Music,” Chris Brown
• “Glad You Came (Alex Gaudino Remix),” The Wanted
• “Breathing,” Jason Derulo
• “The World is Mine (Radio Edit),” David Guetta
• “Where Have You Been,” Rihanna
• “The Cave,” Mumford & Sons

 Now tell us: What songs are on your summer playlist?

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Smash Star Katharine McPhee’s Go-To Shapers

May 15, 2012 at 11:42 am
By Colleen Moody

Last night’s Smash finale had viewers on the edge of their seats waiting to see who would finally be crowned Marilyn. Don’t worry if it’s still on your DVR, we’re not giving any spoilers! While we were anxious to see how the performance would play out, Katharine McPhee is already focusing on her next performance in the Big Apple with her partnership with Tide to kick off the Olympic Games. We caught up with the star to hear about the campaign and snag a few fitness tips of hers.

Tell us about the partnership you’re doing with Tide for the Olympics!

To gear up for the Games, Tide is launching a project called My Story. Our Flag. We are asking people to go to the Tide Facebook page to share their personal stories of what the flag means to them. On July 3 I’ll be performing in Bryant Park to unveil a huge artistic rendition of the American flag. The stories that people have shared will be printed on swatches of fabric that will be sewn together to make the flag.

Like the Olympic hopefuls, the road to landing your dream career came with a lot of hard work. What’s one piece of advice you would tell someone with huge goals to help them stay motivated?

I have always loved the Olympics, and I was actually a competitive swimmer in middle school and high school. I remember how grueling the training was then, which is nothing compared to how these athletes train. Being an actress and a singer I understand how important it is to take care of your body. My advice would be to practice persistence and lots of discipline, much like these athletes do.

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Music Monday: Catchy Country Playlist

April 23, 2012 at 9:49 am
By Karla Walsh

Country music is definitely having a moment. From Taylor Swift winning big at the Grammys to the ever-present “Red Solo Cup,” fans are dancing in their cowboy boots—or sneakers! So we asked the folks organizing the music for this weekend’s St. Jude Country Music Marathon in Nashville to share a playlist of greatest hits. Download the following songs to get a taste of some of the 50 artists who will be performing at the event, as well as the music that will pump up the runners (including our own editorial assistant Samantha, who’s tackling the half!).

• “Save a Horse,” Big & Rich
• “It’s America,” Rodney Atkins
• “Wild at Heart,” Gloriana
• “Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis
• “Walkin’ in Memphis,” Various Artists
• “Holding Out for a Hero,” Footloose
• “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” Jo Dee Messina
• “Cowboy Up and Party Down,” Darren Warren
• “For the Kids,” John Rich

Now tell us: What genre of music pumps you up the most during your workouts?

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Music Monday: The Push Your Pace Playlist

April 16, 2012 at 11:13 am
By Karla Walsh

Yesterday in Central Park, nearly 10,000 women laced up their sneakers for the MORE/FITNESS Half-Marathon. The weather was wonderful and the cheering crowds were inspiring, but sometimes you need just a little additional help to push you through those last challenging few miles. Download these songs, which helped us pick up the pace during the last stretch of the race, and add them to your next workout playlist! Nothing feels better than finishing strong.

• “Brokenhearted,” Karmin
• “Wavin’ Flag,” K’naan
• “Indestructible,” Robyn
• “I’m a Machine,” David Guetta, featuring Crystal Nicole
• “My Body,” Young the Giant
• “Get Yourself Back Home,” Gym Class Heroes
• “Lights (Bassnectar Remix),” Ellie Goulding
• “Countdown,” Beyonce
• “All I Need,” Natasha Bedingfield, featuring Kevin Rudolf

Now tell us: What motivates you to give it your all at the end of a workout?

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Music Monday: Soffe’s Spring Tone-It-Up Playlist

April 9, 2012 at 1:34 pm
By Marla Horenbein

With spring in full swing, its time to get serious about toning up for summer—only 11 weeks to go! Our friends over at Soffe have created an awesome playlist to get you in the mood to hit the weights, ride your bike, or even take an afternoon jog around the block. So throw on your brightest workout clothes (we like these shorts paired with this top), your funkiest sneakers, and get your workout on!

• “We Are Young,” Fun. featuring Janelle Monae
• “Here It Goes Again,” OK Go
• “Kids in America,” The Muffs
• “Comeback Kid,” Sleigh Bells
• “Ritual Union,” Little Dragon
• “Do it Again,” Holy Ghost
• “Helena Beat,” Foster the People
• “Party Rock Anthem,” LMFAO
• “Turn Me On,” David Guetta, featuring Nicki Minaj
• “Young, Wild & Free,” Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars

More from FITNESS:

• The Best Summer Running Gear
• Workout Jams for Summer
• Love Your Warm-Weather Workout: 10 Motivation Tricks

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Music Monday: Party Like It’s Your Birthday Playlist!

March 26, 2012 at 4:54 pm
By Jenna Autuori

Last week I had my birthday bash at my home away from home, SoulCycle—let’s just say I’m totally embracing the new party workout trend that’s taking place all over Manhattan (check it out HERE!). When fitness and working out is your lifestyle like it is mine, sitting bar side at your fave restaurant just doesn’t do it anymore—plus how many times can we do the same thing year after year? That’s why front row seats at my favorite Danny Kopel Thursday evening class was a must-do to celebrate none other than the day I was born. Tap backs, push-ups and a little choreography mixed into it, having my birthday party at SoulCycle was sort of like a no-brainer. When a spinning studio IS the party, that’s where I want to be.

Instead of downing an insane amount of cocktail calories, my best friends and I sweated out hundreds each—and we had just as much fun doing it too. (This class was extra special indeed as we were also celebrating the birthday of late Clare Veronica Walsh, a SoulCycle instructor and friend who passed away late last year. We miss you!)

Party workouts are here to stay and if your class or favorite studio doesn’t put on the show, bring your friends, wear a tiara and sweat your birthday away with your favorite people anyway!

Check out this awesome playlist from SoulCycle instructor, Danny Kopel.

• “Going Through Hell (Diplo Remix),” The Streets
• “Cooler Couleur,” Crookers, featuring Yelle
• “Domino (Johnny Mac Remix),” Jessie J
• “Dance,” Scratch Missive
• “Born This Way (Zedd Remix),” Lady Gaga
• “The Main Attraction,” A Race of Angels
• “You’ve Got the Love (XX Remix),” Florence & the Machine
• “Feel So Close (Benny Benassi Remix),” Calvin Harris

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Music Monday: Feeling Lucky

March 12, 2012 at 4:16 pm
By Karla Walsh

St. Patrick’s Day is in less than one week, and we’re feeling lucky to have an early dose of spring weather. Perfect to enjoy during outdoor workouts (maybe even after work with the extra evening light?)! In honor of the holiday coming up this weekend, we’re listening to these rocking tracks performed by Irish bands or related to the 17th.

• “Pride (In the Name of Love),” U2
• “Lucky Star,” Madonna
• “Superstition,” Stevie Wonder
• “Holiday (Live),” Green Day
• “Pot of Gold,” Game, featuring Chris Brown
• “Lucky,” Britney Spears
• “Pocketful of Sunshine,” Natasha Bedingfield
• “Wildflower,” Cee Lo Green
• “Gold Digger,” Kanye West
• “Breathless,” The Coors

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Now tell us: What is making you feel the grateful and lucky today?

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A Day in the Life of Olympic Alum Rebecca Soni

March 8, 2012 at 3:45 pm
By Colleen Moody

5:30 a.m. – I wake up, walk my dog and eat a bowl of cereal. I’ll usually have Raisin Bran or mix some of my favorite Kellogg’s cereals together with some fruit. I can’t get through a workout unless I eat breakfast first. It wakes me up and fuels me for my first practice.

7:30 a.m. – It’s time to hit the water for a two-hour pool workout. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I’ll start a little earlier to lead a spinning class with the USC college team.

9:30 a.m. – Hop out of the pool and use my break to run errands, rest and refuel!

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Time for a supplemental workout, which is either a session with my trainer doing body weight exercises, TRX suspension exercises, plyometrics or an additional pool workout. My third workout also happens in this time block. For this one, I like to incorporate Pilates and yoga into my routine at least three times a week. Pilates is great for toning smaller muscles I don’t get a chance to work on regularly and yoga is my time to work on breathing, strengthening my muscles, stretching and relaxing my mind. I also take my dog for a walk every day when I get home. Some people may not consider this exercise, but I think it’s a great way to recover from all the workouts I’ve done earlier in the day.

6:30 p.m. – I cook a healthy dinner and wind down so I can get to sleep by 10 p.m. Then it’s back at it for another day of workouts!

Read more to get Soni’s spinning playlist!

Read more

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Music Monday: Bring On Spring

March 5, 2012 at 1:31 pm
By Karla Walsh

True, this winter has been surprisingly mild for most of America. Yet we’re still excited to spring forward this Sunday and score some more afternoon sunshine for post-work workouts! To celebrate, we’re downloading this warm weather-inspired playlist which will act as a soundtrack for our outdoor fitness activities this season:

• “Soak Up the Sun,” Sheryl Crow
• “Paradise,” Coldplay
• “Here Comes the Sun,” The Beatles
• “Beautiful Day,” U2
• “Walkin’ On the Sun,” Smash Mouth
• “California Gurls,” Katy Perry, featuring Snoop Dogg
• “Halo/Walking on Sunshine,” Glee Cast
• “Summer Love,” Justin Timberlake
• “Escapade,” Janet Jackson
• “The Sun Will Rise,” Kelly Clarkson

Now tell us: What songs automatically put you in a sunny mood?

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Music Monday: The Super-Motivating Playlist

February 27, 2012 at 10:24 am
By Karla Walsh

Ever have one of those days when you just don’t feel like working out? You’re not the only one. So we asked Laurel House, the QuickieChick, what she does to stay motivated and we loved her idea so much we had to share! “I challenge myself to run for one song. Almost every time, that song turns into two, oftentimes three. The other day it was seven!” House says.

The key to crafting a killer playlist? Find songs that you enjoy and make sure they play back-to-back so you don’t get sidetracked, House suggests. Here are some of her all-time favorites:

• “Dirty Little Secret,” The All-American Rejects
• “Womanizer,” Britney Spears
• “Naughty Girl,” Beyonce
• “Push It,” Salt-N-Pepa
• “Pray for You,” Jaron and the Long Road to Love
• “Stronger,” Kanye West
• “Rhythm Nation,” Janet Jackson
• “Down on Me,” Jeremih, featuring 50 Cent
• “Whole Foods Parking Lot,” DJDave
• “Set Fire to the Rain,” Adele

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Now tell us: What gets you up and moving on those “I’m too tired” or “I’m too busy” days?

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