Musical Monday

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

For some reason, I keep hearing this song when I'm out and about these days.  And every time, it makes me very happy because it's catchy, it's got a great beat, and it makes you want to get up and dance.  All of these things make it a perfect cardio jam at the gym - a winner, indeed.

Musical Monday

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Woah-oh-oh-oh-oh, yeah-eah-eah-eah-eah!  This was the theme song for the Euro Cup this year, and I fell in love with it when it was performed during halftime of the finals (¡viva España!).  The beat is fantastic, it's catchy, and it's a perfect anthem for the summer months.  This past week, I have found myself putting this jam on repeat and using it to push me through my intense cardio workouts - it keeps me going, and I hope it'll keep you going, too!

Musical Monday

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

There's nothing like a strong female vocal telling me to be bulletproof to keep me going when I want to give up.  Back that up with some strong beats and a catchy melody, and we have ourselves a winner of a song.

Musical Monday

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

It's catchy and fun - a perfect way to keep me moving and motivated on these super-hot summer days!

Musical Monday #11 - The Run the Night Edition

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my body moving in the gym this week:

It has a catchy chorus, it's high-energy, and Pitbull's in it.

She shoots, she scores.

Musical Monday #10 - The More Edition

Here is the jam that is keeping my body pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

This tune was playing during one of the most intense parts of my bar method class last week, and it gave me renewed energy and strength when I was convinced I was going to collapse on the floor.  It's an excellent work-out song that will help you "push it to the limit" when you want to give up.  Absolutely great.

Musical Monday #9: The Strictly Miami Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Album: Avicii Presents "Strictly Miami"
(the song highlighted below is "Bromance (Avicii's Arena Mix)" - Tim Berg)

My good buddy EvDawg let me know about this album last weekend, and it has been a game changer for me in the gym ever since.  All of the songs have incredible beats and catchy melodies, giving me the endurance I need to get through long cardio sessions.  This album may very well be the soundtrack to my summer workout sessions.  I highly recommend checking it out!

Musical Monday #8: The Life Edition

Here is the jam that is keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

My Life - Slaughterhouse (feat Cee-Lo Green)

I love this song especially because it samples one of my favorite songs from childhood, "Rhythm of the Night" by Corona.  And it's got Cee-Lo. It has a great beat, and it's super catchy.  All four and a half minutes of a cardio workout go by in a breeze with this on my iPod.

Need some new tunes to add to your workout playlist?  Check out the complete list here!

Tune-y Tuesday #1: The Levels Edition

Since yesterday was a holiday, I'm bringing you a special edition version of Musical Monday today - aptly titled "Tune-y Tuesday."  Enjoy!

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Levels (Skrillex Remix) - Avicii

I had already been enamored with the original "Levels" by Avicii for a while, but this remix with the master-of-great-gym-jams, Skrillex, has completely revolutionized my attitude towards cardio workouts at the gym (specifically, intervals on the elliptical).  The energy is unstoppable, the beat is fast and strong, and I actually find myself grinning from ear to ear as sweat pours down my face (lovely, huh?).  I feel like if a song was ever made to be the soundtrack for a cardio machine workout, this would be it.  Just wait for the insanity to start kicking in at :50, and boom, you're off!!!!

The Contenders:

What the Hell - Avril Lavigne

Acapella (Guetta Extended Mix) - Kelis

The 16th Hour - Deadmau5

Who's That Chick? - David Guetta & Rihanna

Musical Monday #7: The Calabria Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Calabria 2008 - Enur (feat MIMS & Natasja)

This popped up on my dance station on Pandora a couple of days ago, and it's been pushing me every since.  I'm sure you've heard the background track before - it's used in a lot of club jams.  It's high-energy and has a powerful beat.  Love this.

The Contenders:

One Foot - fun.

Greyhound - Swedish House Mafia

Turn Up the Radio - Madonna

Cinema (Skrillex Remix) - Benny Benassi

(DISCLAIMER - the first minute of this one is pretty slow.  But I like to use it as a warm-up until it gets to 1:05, when the upbeat Skrillex-style part starts.  I've also gone double-time during the first part to keep up the energy - lots of options!)

Musical Monday #6 - The Mistletoe Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Mistletoe - Jukebox the Ghost

Sometimes, poppy rock jams can do the trick just as well as upbeat hip hop and dance hits.  This is certainly the case with this track, by one of my favorite groups.  It's super fun, and it keeps me going when I need a burst of playful energy.

The Contenders:

Arena - B.O.B. (feat Chris Brown & T.I.)

Some Girls - Madonna

Drunk on You - Luke Bryant

The Fighter - Gym Class Heroes

Musical Monday #5 - The Bangarang Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

A note - to avoid the repetition of my descriptions (if you haven't caught on, it seems that all of my highlighted tracks are 'catchy', 'energetic', and 'have a strong beat'), from now on, I will only be giving my two cents on the Winner of the Week.  But suffice it to say that all of the mentioned songs below are actually the songs that are blasting on my workout playlist this week!

Winner of the Week:

Bangarang - Skrillex

True story:  I have now done multiple thirty minute elliptical workouts with this song, and only this song, on repeat.  It has exactly the amount of energy and craziness to keep me pumped up and moving.  It's an amazing track, and is basically made to be part of a workout playlist.  Plus, it seems to be an ode to the movie Hook (it references the Lost Boys, it's called Bangarang, and I'm pretty sure there are some "Rufio" shout-outs on it too), which makes it even more awesome in my book.

The Contenders:

Your Love's a Drug - Leighton Meester

Whatever You Want - Consequence (feat. Kanye West)

Sleazy Remix 2.0 - Ke$ha (feat. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, T.I., Andre 3000)

The Other Side - Bruno Mars (feat. Cee Lo Green & B.O.B.)

Musical Monday #4 - The Dance Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Dance Again - Jennifer Lopez (featuring Pitbull)

It's a great, energetic, catchy jam that'll keep you motivated and bopping your head to the beat.  And it has Pitbull.  I love, love, love me some Pitbull.

The Contenders:

Lights - Ellie Goulding

Great beat, great tune - moderately paced, addictive, and energetic!  Plus, any jam that would be just as much fun dancing to in a club as dancing to on a cardio machine is cool with me!

The Motto - Drake

I went through a phase where Drake really rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm digging this jam.  The beat is steady, the flow is groovy, and it's perfect for staying on track on a long cardio workout.  Plus Lil Wayne is in it, and he's great.

Good Girl - Carrie Underwood

The ultimate fitness inspiration.  Love this girl, and this song is catchy and will keep you interested all the way through.  I just envision those crazy legs of hers, and get going!

Wild Ones - Flo Rida

I tried not to like this song.  I really did.  I failed.  Once Flo Rida comes in on the verse, I get a spring in my step that carries me all the way through the jam.

Musical Monday #3 - The Time Edition

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Back in Time - Pitbull

Gosh, I love Pitbull.  This song has it all - a strong beat, a good pace, and high energy to keep you pushing all the way through.  Really fun, and worthy of any cardio machine.

The Contenders:

Brokenhearted - Karmin

My go-to elliptical song at the moment.

Learnalilgivinandlovin - Gotye

Excellent beat, oldies feel.  Gotye is tearing it up these days, but this is one of his older school jams.  Great for a warm up/cool down on the treadmill or elliptical.

Hungry Like the Wolf / Rio - Glee Cast

Eep, the first Glee song to make it onto the blog.  This is a really fun one with high energy and a good beat.  I think it works especially great on the elliptical.

Everybody Talks - Neon Trees

A fast one for a intensely-paced workout on any cardio machine.

Musical Monday #2 - The Starship Edition

And we're back with week two!  

Here are the jams that are keeping my legs pumping and my mind occupied in the gym this week:

Winner of the Week:

Starships - Nicki Minaj

The beat is fun, the song is catchy, and there is a club-style section directly after the chorus that gives me a burst of renewed energy every time.  Good for any cardio machine.

Contenders:

Mercy - Kanye West (feat. Big Sean, Pusha T, 2 Chainz)

WARNING: Language.  The song has a steady beat that works very well with the elliptical.  Kanye West's part comes in just in time to really give me the push I need to keep going in my workout.

What Makes You Beautiful - One Direction

I don't know what it is about sugary bubblegum pop, but it sure is energizing.  I was grooving along to this on the elliptical last week and it kept me alert and pumping.

Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

It's definitely a slower jam.  But it works surprisingly well for a cool-down on any cardio machine.  Plus, the beat is rhythmic and the chorus picks up to a decent energy level, so it will keep your mind occupied.

Turn Up the Music - Chris Brown

This jam is a great cardio-bumper.  High energy, fast beat, catchy tune.  Good especially for the treadmill and elliptical.

Musical Monday #1 - The "Luv" Edition

Welcome to your first edition of Musical Mondays.

In these posts, I will highlight five songs that are currently pushing me to work hard at my fitness goals.  Workouts are infinitely easier with some great beats to bop to, so let's get down to business!

Winner of the Week:  

Give Me All Your Luvin' - Madonna (featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.)

Oh deary me, I cannot get enough of this song.  I sometimes listen to it 3-4 times in a row while I'm on the elliptical.  It's very easy to move to its beat, and it has interesting parts (read: Nicki & M.I.A.'s cameos) that keep you jazzed and alert throughout the entire song.  A really fun jam.

The Contenders:

Dance (A$$) - Big Sean

WARNING:  I am providing the "cleaned up version," but the original has strong language/material.  The chorus is repetitive and has a strong beat.  It's made for a hard elliptical workout or a decent running pace on the treadmill.  The spontaneity of the different sections of the song keep my attention from diverting, and the song itself is just ridiculous.

Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

"Girl look at that body... I work out!"  Nothing like a song to narrate my cardio to keep my spirits high and my legs pumping.  Good for any cardio machine.  It's a funny song with a good beat.  

Feel So Close (Radio Edit) - Calvin Harris

Made for jamming out in the club, but great for jamming out on your cardio machine of choice, as well.  The beat I feel is more suited to the treadmill or bike than the elliptical, but it's strong and a good listen.

Boyfriend - Justin Bieber

Excuse me, Bizzy, but a Bieber song??  Yes.  Because it's amazing.  It's a slower jam, so this song is perfect for a cool-down on the treadmill or elliptical.  

You can access the complete list of songs posted on the blog here (it's also accessible via the tab at the top of the blog).