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Favorite Workout Songs

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

Music motivates movement, and if you need some ideas for what tunes to turn up for your next workout, here are some suggestions from fellow FitSugar readers.

To hear the playlist, click play after you read more.

P.L.O.W. - A Tribute to Michael Jackson

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0700

As many of you were, I was saddened to hear the surprising news about Michael Jackson's passing. I have always been a fan of his music, and his upbeat songs definitely motivate me to work out harder. So here's a tribute playlist to the King of Pop. It's full of fast-tempo tunes to kick your cardio workout into full gear.

To hear it, read more.

P.L.O.W. - Celebrate Earth and Exercise Outside

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Although April 22 was Earth Day, every day is the perfect day to celebrate the beauty and expansiveness of Mother Nature. So this weekend, instead of hitting the gym or hopping on your treadmill, enjoy an outdoor workout that requires no electricity. Get on your bike, slip on your sneaks for a trail run, or go for a walk on the beach. Enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and the gorgeous scenery as you listen to these songs about the world and the environment.

To hear my playlist read more.

P.L.O.W. - Invigorating Yoga Flow

FitSugar — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Just like all types of exercise, I do yoga to relieve stress, clear my mind, burn calories, and strengthen my body. So when I'm on the mat, I'm doing challenging moves like holding Fierce for 10 breaths or balancing in Scissor Legs Side Crow. I prefer sequences that flow through poses quickly and target every muscle, so I need my music to keep up with me.

Check out this 90-minute yoga playlist. It starts off slow, then works you hard for about an hour. Then there's 20 minutes of slower-paced music so you can do quieter poses like Pigeon and Headstand, and then there's 10 minutes of Savasana. If you're not sure how to lead yourself through 90 minutes of yoga, just pop in a yoga DVD like Baron Baptiste - Soul of Strength, turn down the volume and pump up this playlist.

To hear my Invigorating Yoga Flow read more.

Here are 30-second samples of each song.

Fitness Magazine's Top 100 Workout Songs

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:43 -0800

Tired of listening to the same old Britney Spears and Madonna songs while you work out? Fitness magazine interviewed top personal trainers to find out what songs pump them up while working out, and they came up with a list of the top 100 workout songs. To hear a little taste, read more.

P.L.O.W. - 2008 Rocked

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:30:00 -0800

The year 2008 may be gone, but it is not forgotten. The year offered up some great workout tunes. Aside from exercising to dance grooves, I like to run to songs that are a little more on the rock side of things. So I made a playlist featuring songs officially released in 2008 that have an alternative rock flavor. This playlist is about 40 minutes, including an eight-minute cool down song. Can you guess which eight minute "space-rock stalker jam" this playlist ends with?

To hear the playlist, just press the white triangle after you read more.

Source

P.L.O.W. - A Tribute to Bon Jovi

FitSugar — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

I have been a big fan of Bon Jovi for a long time now, and when I watched this creative rendition of Livin' on a Prayer on GiggleSugar my fandom was definitely rekindled. That song definitely tops on my list of songs musical workout inspiration. Come to think of it, there are tons of Bon Jovi songs that inspire me to move. So here's my tribute to the band and the man with the kick-ass songs. This playlist has 40 minutes of pumping music for cardio, 40 minutes for a cool-down and strength training exercises, and 20 minutes for stretching. To hear my playlist read more.

Total Time: 1:39:00

Source

When Winter Rolls In, Don't Give Up on Working Out

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:30:52 -0800

It isn't hard to explain why our workouts get a little lackadaisical when Winter rolls in - 'cause, baby, it's cold outside - and it's pretty understandable that a lot of us lose our motivation to get outdoors for a run or a bike ride. So, how actually do people who work out through the Winter do it? An article from The New York Times reveals exactly that - and how some people manage to get up "the high activation energy" required to stay committed to fitness during the bitter Winter months.

Turns out, if you're new to fitness, you're more likely to give into a little workout hiatus when it gets colder and darker out. According to Janet Buckworth, an exercise physiologist at Ohio State University, it's the opposite for exercise veterans. “If you are beyond the point that you are learning how to exercise, you can’t imagine not running in bad weather,” she says. In fact, some exercise enthusiasts relish the challenge of an outdoor workout in Winter, even going on "epic" bike rides during snow storms and blizzards.

Regardless, you don't have to be an extremist to keep up a Winter workout routine. The key? Just get into something you could really stick with long-term. Choose a form of exercise that you're excited to do, and can keep up when Winter arrives. Group classes are great, and Buckworth recommends finding something you can do indoors, getting a friend to go with you, and even something as simple as updating your playlist with music you love to keep exercise fun and help you stay committed to your fitness regime.

P.L.O.W. - Celebrate the Sun

FitSugar — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:30:00 -0700

In case you hadn't heard, on Wednesday the longest total solar eclipse of this century was visible from India and China. Although those of us in the US and elsewhere didn't get to witness it firsthand, you can't deny that it's a miraculous and rare event.

Even though there won't be a longer eclipse until the year 2132, now is the perfect time to celebrate our glorious sun. So this weekend, get outside for a run and enjoy these songs about our shining star. There are 30 minutes of upbeat songs to run to, and 10 minutes of calmer tunes at the end for a walking cool down.

To hear the playlist read more.

Total Time: 41:43

Did I miss any songs about the sun? Tell me about them in the comment section below.

P.L.O.W. - Power Songs

FitSugar — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

This playlist of the week (P.L.O.W.) is brought to you by Women's Health. It's a running playlist of energizing songs that contains beats that are scientifically proven to help you run faster. This mix begins with this song by Rihanna:

To hear the rest of the playlist read more.

Total Time: 47:04

What are you waiting for? Get out there and go for a run!