Katy Perry

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist “Rather Be” 50-Minute Playlist 3

by • Playlists • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Rather Be Ride”

tumblr_lb9pwxaaK61qbrus1o1_500

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

This playlist starts off with my new favorite song and features a few of my favorite stand-by tunes that get people motivated and keep them working. A few years ago an instructor I respected told me she never mixed “genres” of music in her classes as it is “too chaotic” and “jarring” for people.

This is NOT my attitude as I think that a class where every single music selection sounds exactly like the one before is the epitome of annoying. Give me different beats and voices and I am a happy camper. What are your thoughts on this? What kinds of music motivates YOU in class? I want to hear from you!

In the meantime—please enjoy this playlist I like to call the “Rather Be” ride.

  • Rather Be (featuring Jess Glynne): Clean Bandit

This is sweetest, most fun pop song in the world with the only thing marring it is the TERRIBLE name of the band. Clean Bandit? WTF? Not on board with that.

 

  • Hell: Teegan & Sarah

I consider this to be THE most perfect second or second to the last song in any workout. Listen and see if you can figure out why I make that assertion.

 

  • Elevation: U2

It’s been a while since the four lads from Dublin have been featured in my class and this tune in particular is one my absolute favorites from them. (Hope you are feeling better Bono!)

 

  • Youth Without Youth: Metric

Not exactly what this song is about but it has a great, steady build to it and I like using it to my class to add more energy to their movement.

 

  • Rebellion: Arcade Fire

This is the most perfect music to do a long and steady climb with that I think Arcade Fire wrote it just for that reason.

 

  • Times Like These: Foo Fighters

I always need my Foos to give me that extra push. (Hope my students aren’t sick of them!)

 

  • Another One Bites the Dust: Queen

The best part of playing this song in class is watching my students bop their heads to the bass beat—priceless!

 

  • Dark Horse (featuring Juice J.): Katy Perry

For some reason I just did not connect with Dark Horse when it first came out but I love it now.

 

  • Music: Madonna

This is a fantastic “sprinting” tune and the video (while kind of skeevy) does feature Sasha Baron Cohen as Da Ali G so there you go.

 

  • Believe in Me: Sloan

My one chance to see Sloan here in Brooklyn I was sick as a dog and it still pisses me off.

 

  • Seven Nation Army: The White Stripes

My friend Jennifer is the #1 super fan of Jack White and has flown around the world (at her husband’s expense!) to see him play live. In short, she lives the bets life in the whole world.

 

  • The Rain: Missy Elliott

One of my most favorite songs about rain ever (and there are tons of them, people!)

 

  • Habits: Tove Lo

My only quibble with this tune is that it gets so freaking LOUD at times that I have to run across the room to the stereo and take it down to an appropriate level for a cool down. (Fix that Tove Lo producers!)

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs and radio stations. I am always looking for good tunes.

(If you are reading this on a different site or a different feed than Brooklyn Fit Chick, it has been taken without permission.)

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

Like My Facebook Page

Instagram: BrooklynFitChick

Pinterest: BrooklynFitChick

You Tube: BrooklynFitChick1

 

Brooklyn Fit Chick “Top Workout Songs of 2013” (Plus, A Few Stinkers!) #playlist #sweatpink 8

by • exercise, fitness, Playlists • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S “Best of 2013”

Top 14 Workout Songs from 2013

(Plus, A Few Stinkers…)

Daft PunkjVampireWeekendkaty-perry-roar-promo-header-600x450

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

It’s end of the year time and I am ready to look back on the “Best of’ 2013″ and the songs I most frequently played in my classes (I teach spin, core training and boot camp by the way.) Enjoy!

Also included a few tunes that I just could not get on board with this year at ALL. Let me know what you think!

 

  • Unbelievers: Vampire Weekend

This is one of those songs that always made me smile when it came on the radio. They are also from Brooklyn which is pretty damn cool!

 

  • Come & Get It: Selena Gomez

This has everything that would normally drive me crazy in a dance song (cheesy lyrics, weird “voice” work, droning beats) but dammit I just love it to death. Come & Get It brings out the giddy 15 year-old in me and I proudly put it on my “Best of” list.

 

  • Came Back Haunted: Nine Inch Nails

So happy these guys are back and this particular song is so freakin’ motivating when you want to work harder and sprint faster. Get it now!

 

  • Supersoaker: Kings of Leon

I love this band because they know how to write hard-driving songs without being too “heavy” or dark. This is one of those tunes that will help you keep a steady pace.

 

  • Recovery: Frank Turner

Frank Turner has a fun, sexy British accent that he uses well in this happy, boppy song.

 

  • If So: Atlas Genius

If you are not familiar with Atlas Genius—they are an Australian pop rock band and they write some catchy tunes and this chipper number had me from the first note.

 

  • Out of My League: Fitz & the Tantrums

Fitz & the Tantrums have recorded some of the most fun and bounciest songs I have ever heard in my life and this one in particular gave me the “happies.”

 

  • Royals: Lorde

I know some people are having Royals fatigue but I will never forget the first time I heard this song and how much it just caught my attention.

 

  • Roar: Katy Perry

This is NOT my favorite video (cheesy McCheese, geez Louise!) However, listening to Roar always makes me want to be a teenager again so I can dance around my bedroom and sing along to this anthem.

 

  • Timeless: The Airborne Toxic Event

Sure it is a tad overwrought and earnest but so the hell what? It’s a great song and perfect for either a steady climb or a cool down.

 

  • Get Lucky: Daft Punk (Featuring Pharrell Williams)

Six minutes of mindless fun and a beat that is just so damn catchy. (Wish they were not being so rude to my imaginary boyfriend Stephen Colbert.)

 

  • Feeling Good: The Sheepdogs

I included this one from The Sheepdogs in three different playlists this year because I lerve it so darn much. Go Canada!

  • My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark: Fall Out Boy

I never thought I would see the day this band appeared on my iPod but this song kicks butt!

 

  • Thrift Shop: Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis

The version full of cursing makes my heart soar. Love you Mackelmore!

 

 

And now my picks for the “4 Stinkers of 2013″

  • Blurred Lines: Robin Thicke

Okay—yes, the song is insanely catchy and I did include it for one of my playlists this past year. However, after listening to Robin Thicke being interviewed on The Howard Stern Show I realize this guy is a total sexist dunce and he does not deserve a second of my time. (And Blurred Lines sounds like a Marvin Gaye rip-off!)

 

  • Applause: Lady Gaga

I happen to love Lady Gaga and will defend her to anyone who dares to speak in a negative way about her. (So what if she is pretentious? The woman is a gifted, national treasure!) However, this song just did nothing for me. Blah, boring, snooze. (Sorry Gaga! The rest of the album is fantastic!)

 

  • Work B***H: Britney Spears

The b-word has been abused way too often in music lately (honestly, sometimes I would rather hear the c-word instead!)  I reject this lame offering from Britney Jean not only for that but also for the horrible monotonous beat that made me want to punch a kitten. (And I am a crazy cat lady!)

 

  • Bound 2: Kanye West

Oof—this one is just indefensible. (But the “alternate” version is a gift from the comedy gods.)

 

That’s all I have for now. Let me know your best/worst for 2013. Also, what music are you looking forward to in 2014? Bring it!

 

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow me on Twitter: “BrooklynFitChik” (note the spelling!)

Like My Facebook Page

Instagram: BrooklynFitChick

Pinterest: BrooklynFitChick

You Tube: BrooklynFitChick1

New Playlist Time! With Katy Perry, Serena Ryder, Lorde, The Lumineers and More. #Playlist 8

by • Playlists, Uncategorized • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“What I Wouldn’t Do for You” (50-minute Ride)

Katy Perry

Katy Perry

Hey there! Hi there! How there!

I am officially off vacation mode and back to doing what I love to do—write for you lovely people! So today I bring to you my latest playlist which features some new music (and artists) mixed up with some of my favorite rock tunes to get you through your next workout. Let me know what you think of them!

 

  • What I Wouldn’t Do: Serena Ryder

Serena is a Canadian artist who is just starting to catch on here with her hit Stompa. This is her next single which I think makes for a perfect warm-up song.

 

  • Out of My League: Fitz & the Tantrums

I like this fun & quirky beat.

  • Recovery: Frank Turner

With a name like Frank Turner you think he would be a Chicago bluesman but this Frank Turner is an English folk/punk dude who knows how to write a catchy tune.

 

  • Stubborn Love: The Lumineers

This is one of those songs I am not sure if I love it because I hear it everywhere or if it because I think it is good—but I love it.

 

  • Tonight, Tonight: The Smashing Pumpkins

Not to date myself but I could drive all day to this song back in the 90s.

 

  • Synchronicity II : The Police

I am a HUGE Police fan and always loved this song & video but I can’t get the original video on You Tube dammit! Try this clip out instead which I pray to god includes a political ad that features Miss Bunny in it. It made my day!

 

  • Royals: Lorde

Check out this super cool video and know that this singer/songwriter is just 16 years-old! Some people complain about her being played on Alternative radio but I tell them to go to hell. Lorde rules!

 

  • All My Life: Foo Fighters

I love my Foos when the energy needs to go through the roof.

 

  • Steady As She Goes: The Raconteurs

This is for my friend Jennifer who is IN LOVE with Jack White.

 

  • Blurry: Puddle of Mudd

Ignore the fact that the singer Wes Scantlin has his issues and enjoy this old grunge one-hit wonder (Is there any more of an ignominious fate than that?)

 

  • Roar: Katy Perry

Here is the official video which I love almost as much as this song. I am not being snarky here. I LERVE this so much. But one criticism–she kind of looks like an overly glam Alanis Morissette here, no?
 

 

  • You’ve Got Time: Regina Spektor

Have you seen/read Orange is the New Black yet? No? Well get on it dammit!

 

  • Timeless: The Airborne Toxic Event

This is the song I think should be played at graduations everywhere.

 

That’s all I have today folks. Let me know about some of your favorite songs. I am always looking for good tunes!!

 

Until next time…

 

Ox Ox,

Brooklyn Fit Chick

Follow Me On Twitter: @BrooklynFitChik (note the spelling!)

Friend Me on Facebook at “Brooklyn FitChick”

Instagram: “brooklynfitchick”

You Tube: Brooklyn FitChick1

 

What Did We Learn this Month? @Shape_Magazine with Jenny McCarthy on the Cover! 6

by • Shape Magazine • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What Did We Learn This Month?

Shape: January/February 2013

Jenny McCarthy photographed by Nino Munoz

Jenny McCarthy photographed by Nino Munoz

 

 

 

Shape Cover Star for January/February: The cover star this month is Jenny McCarthy who will have her own late night talk show on Vh1 soon and is also a columnist with the Chicago Sun-Times. I am not her biggest fan for my own reasons but I won’t dwell on that here. Instead I will say that I love the workout featured inside which was created by Jenny’s trainer Mark Harari who is hella cute I have to say.

Jenny McCarthy & her Trainer Mark Harari

Jenny McCarthy & her Trainer Mark Harari

So what else is inside the January/February Shape?

“Cool Ways to Blast Calories” I have never been great at working out in the wintertime but these pages may make me change my mind. If nothing else—I want to hang out in a ski lodge by the fire. (My apartment is freezing right now!)

Cool workouts outdoors 001

“Spin to Slim” Shape asked Ruth Zuckerman of Flywheel Sports (a top-notch spin studio in New York City) came up with this routine you can do on your own. (photo)

Spins 001

“6 Clues to Your Heart Health” Cardiovascular disease is the top killer of women and not enough of us are cognizant of this fact. Shape has the exclusive excerpt from Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum’s Heart Book on the six things you need to pay attention to in order to keep your ticker healthy. (photo)

heart piece 001

“Fast-Track to Fit” Jillian Michaels is back ladies & gentlemen and she offers us this butt-kicking workout based on Jillian Michaels Bodyshred.

Jillian Michaels workout 001

“Step & Repeat” Weeeee! Ms. Lorna Kleidman designed this workout based on her KettleX Step class which is based out of the Fitness Cell Collective in New York City. I have taken a class with Lorna and can verify her talents as an instructor. Now try this routine which requires a step and a kettlebell.

Lorna Kleidman 001

“Katy Perry” Billboard’s most recent “Woman of the Year” recipient talks about how she keeps such a fabulous figure while she is on the road.

Katy Perry 001

And now the rest of the best of this issue of Shape:

• “Your Skin, A to Z” Shape’s big beauty story rocks my world with all sorts of recommendations for lotions & potions that are good for your skin. (Good job picking out Juice Beauty by the way—they rock my socks off!)

• “Intimate Appeal” I am a big believer in owning pretty underwear even if you are the only person who sees them. (Need to try out the brand Wocoal…)

• “Take That, Fat!” Simple (really simple) fixes to make your workouts more effective.

• “Give Your Desk a Check-Up” My desk is messed-up and gross right now. This article reminds me to get my crap together—stat!

• “Help—I Can’t Sleep!” Having sleep issues on and off over the years—I always appreciate advice on how to get more zzz’s.

Follow Shape magazine online at: www.Shape.com

Overall Grade: A! I have to hand it to Shape—they really brought the workout pages this month. Loved them all!

Have you read the January/February Shape yet? What was your favorite article? Let me know!

Ox ox,

Brooklyn Fit Chick (BFC)

Follow me on Twitter: @BrooklynFitChik (note the spelling!)

“Friend” me on Facebook at “Brooklyn FitChick”

Instagram: “margodono”

You Tube: “BrooklynFitChick1”