Workout Song of the Week: Conor Maynard

This week I'm feeling the pop tunes more than the angry rock ones, so I'd like to share this little gem with you that I found a while back thanks to iTunes: Conor Maynard "Animal"

This song gets me pumped up for workouts for so many different reasons.  It's got a great bouncing beat and you know by now that I'm a huge fan of anything synth-heavy.  There's also something so motivating about a guy singing about a woman who keeps messing with his mind!  A pop song to the core, this jam gets me up and running every time.

Workout Song of the Week: Ellie Goulding

For anyone who didn't get clued in, apparently Ellie Goulding is performing a super secret benefit show here in DC at the 9:30 club tomorrow evening and you could only get tickets if you were on a super special list!  Unfortunately, I did not find out about this before it was too late and all the tickets were gone, but because I still love Ellie like no other and her jams have gotten me through many a workout over the past 11 weeks, she'll be my workout song of this week! I give you Ellie Goulding "Anything Could Happen"

This is Miss Goulding's most recent single off her album "Halcyon" and it freaking rocks.  Pretty much all of her music rocks, but this song is especially great for working out because of it's steady beat and booming bass synth.  The choppy piano just adds to the overall marching-type sound.  By the time she starts soaring into the chorus you'll already be well on your way to out-performing yourself in the gym. 

Workout Song of the Week: Jimmy Eat World

Taking it back to the early 2000's again with this week's workout song: Jimmy Eat World "Sweetness"

I've been listening to Jimmy Eat World since I was a preteen, and even now I still love to go back and jam out to the songs that perfectly capture that age for me.  "Sweetness" is a great workout song for all the normal reasons - it's catchy, upbeat, and high-energy - but it's also great for so much more than that!  It takes me right back to high school, back to when I thought I was a badass, and back to all the raw emotions I was feeling at that age.  It might not be this song specifically for you, but to adding a nostalgic throwback tune to your workout playlist can really energize you and also refresh your music rotation.

Workout Song of the Week: Paramore

The sudden turn to summer-like weather here in DC has inspired me to choose a more uplifting song as the workout song this week.  Thanks to Paramore releasing their new album this week, I actually have the perfect song: "Still Into You"

Anger can be a great motivator for a good workout, but happiness can too!  This song deals with joy of knowing that even after being with someone for a long time, you can still get butterflies around them and have fun with them.  Love doesn't have to get stale!  Thinking about that can really cheer you up, and sometimes a positive, uplifting message can be just what you need to have a great workout.  This song is particularly upbeat and makes you want to dance your happiness into the world, or least that's what it does to me.  I hope you all enjoy it!

Workout Song of the Week: M83

Who doesn't love a strong, steady, synth-filled song to push them towards a great workout?  I know I sure do!  That's why this week's song is: M83 "Midnight City"

Besides being a great song in general, this one is also good for your workout because the beat builds slowly and steadily, leading up to a powerhouse hook and exploding melody.  It's outer-spacey and full of creepy vocals, not to mention a killer saxophone solo.  This is not the song that's going to help you sprint through your last half-mile, instead it's the interlude that helps you fight off your mid-cardio lull when you're past your initial gung-ho start but not quite at that the-end-is-near rush.  Important to note: this song was also used in a Victoria's Secret commercial back in 2012, and there is nothing more motivating for a woman working out than models in sexy lingerie.

Workout Song of the Week: The Bravery

Sometimes all you need to get you moving is the thought of some rough sex.  This week's song is the perfect example of that sort of motivation: "Hatefuck" by The Bravery.

Passion and intensity is sometimes all you need to go that last quarter of a mile or lift that last set of weights.  This song is perfect for that since it's quick, upbeat, and to the point.  Overall message: violence can be thrilling and sexy.  The Bravery perfectly captures that lusty, heat of the moment, rough-you-up kind of sexual attitude that we all need once in a while.  In addition to the song's overall sound being great for working out, the lyrics are pretty scandalous, and sometimes thinking about getting sexy can be just as big of a motivator.  It gets your blood pumping and your legs moving, just what you need kick some ass in the gym!

Workout Song of the Week: Icona Pop

What's not to love about an electro synth pop female anthem with a rebellious spirit and an upbeat tempo?  Nothing.  Icona Pop's "I Don't Care" is one of the best workout songs I've heard lately and that's why it's the workout song of the week!

The beat stays the same throughout pretty much the entire song, which makes it easy to listen to and helps you keep a steady pace.  It's the perfect example of some badass chicks singing about how tiny of a crap they give and that I don't care attitude can give you a huge push during a good cardio session.  For me, good workout songs are usually upbeat, with a powerful sound and motivational lyrics.  This song meets all of those requirements and then some.  Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Workout Song of the Week: Gnarls Barkley

This week my workout song comes as a suggestion from my good friend Shannon.  I'm sure he'll be happy that he FINALLY gets a mention in my blog!  He had recommended this as a workout song a few weeks back, and as soon as I heard it I understood why.  It's so upbeat right from the beginning and really motivates you to get moving.  This week's workout song is: Gnarls Barkley "Run (I'm A Natural Disaster)"

The music video isn't bad either, you should check it out!  If the fact that the song is actually named "Run" isn't enough to convince you that it's great for cardio, the energetic combination of Cee-Lo Green's unique vocals and Danger Mouse's hot beats will surely win you over.  Their soul sound provides a great rhythm for running, and the song is just short enough to be perfect for a quick sprint on the treadmill when you're trying to pick up the pace.  Listen and let me know what you think!

Workout Song of the Week: Adema

A lot of great workout songs are upbeat, pop/club tracks that just make you want to dance, but sometimes all you really want is a nice hardcore rock jam that motivates you by triggering your rage.  Had a stressful day at work?  Significant other getting on your nerves?  Feel like punching someone in the face?  Those are the times when you need to have more angry, hateful music that pushes you to let out all your aggression on the gym equipment instead of the people around you.  As a prime example of one of those songs for me personally, this week I'm using Adema's "The Way You Like It"

Some people need more intense, aggressive music to get them through their workouts, and if you're that kind of person, this one's for you.  When this track comes on my iPod while I'm working out my cardio, it puts me in the perfect ass-kicking mood that forces me to pound out my frustration on the treadmill.  I know the song is old, but it's still a great example of a heavy rock tune that's still upbeat enough to keep you moving during a workout.

What are some of the angrier songs that keep you motivated during your workouts?

Workout Song of the Week: The Chevin

The song I'm highlighting this week actually kind of snuck up on me as a workout song.  I wouldn't have thought of it off the top of my head, but when it came on my iPod randomly the other day while I was on the treadmill, it gave me such an incredible boost of energy and once it was over all I could think was, "wow, that was an amazing 3 minutes and 48 seconds!"  So my workout song of the week is: The Chevin "Champion"

This song came to me as the free single of the week on iTunes last year, and while it's a pretty great song in general, it turns out it's also a nice upbeat tune for banging out some cardio!  It keeps a steady, upbeat tempo and is the perfect addition to a nice long jogging playlist.  So go check it out and let me know what you think!

Workout Song of the Week: Young the Giant

Alternative rock can be a great motivator fitness-wise under the right circumstances.  The perfect example of this is my latest workout song of the week: Young the Giant "My Body"

This song is great for getting motivated because in addition to its steady, building beat, the very lyrics of the song embody what a lot of us need during our workout, that push to continue. "My body tells me no, but I won't quit, 'cause I want more..."  The chorus alone is enough to give you that extra push you need!  It's a great song to have blasting when you're trying to run off your stress on the treadmill or do that extra set of pushups.  In doing a little research (and by research, I mean Wikipedia) it turns out the song actually came about due to the band letting out their frustrations during a particularly challenging time.  That message definitely translated through and made this song a great motivational jam to turn on when you're ready to really work!

Sidenote: It doesn't hurt that this song was used in one of the very first episodes of the show "Teen Wolf" on MTV (Don't judge me!), so every time I hear it I can't help but picture a super hot, buff lacrosse player/werewolf working out and getting fit, which is great motivation!

Workout Song of the Week: Jason Derulo

Great music is so key to staying pumped up during a cardio workout, especially running on the treadmill.  It gives me the extra energy I need to keep going.  That's why it's so important to pick the right jams for your ultimate workout playlist.  Each week I'll be highlighting my "workout song of the week" to give you guys suggestions for songs that keep you pumped up and ready to work!

This week's favorite is: Jason Derulo "Breathing"

 

I love listening to really upbeat tunes that make me want to dance, that way even when I'm tired I still find the energy to continue.  This song is great because it keeps a steady club beat the entire time, but the energy really picks up for the chorus, so that's a great time to speed up or kick up the intensity of your workout.  The tribal vocals in the background add a unique sound that you don't get with a lot of other club music.

I know not everyone likes to listen to music when they workout, but personally I need music to keep me motivated, and songs like this really help.  What do you guys think?