Brooklyn Fit Chick’s Top 10 Workout Songs of 2015!!!

Posted on December 28, 2015 by brooklynfitchick

Brooklyn Fit Chick’s “Top 10 Workout Songs of 2015!”

Plus: Favorite Radio Stations to Check Out Online

The playlist liked by man and kitties alike.

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

As 2015 starts to move out the front door (and don’t let it hit you on the ass on your way out, Mister!) I am reflecting on the various playlists I have created throughout the year.

First a little explanation—I have fantastic taste in music. This is a proven fact and not the declaration from a conceited person. Everyone tells me they love my classes mostly for the tunes I curate into playlists. It’s expensive, time consuming and a total hassle to create a new 50 minutes that will (hopefully) impress my students and I thrill in it.

There are instructors who buy their music from an outside company and do not bother with creating their own playlists, I do not judge because all of the prep it takes to design each class, staying informed of the trends and keeping up with the fitness certifications equals several hours that you will not be paid.

Instructors are not compensation for prep work so if someone does this full time for a living—I give them a pass. I only teach 10 hours a week and I work from home so I can be a little more particular about what I bring to each hour I teach.

Today I want to give a shout out to the following online radio outlets that provide me with the tapestry of music I now bring to all classes.

The Peak FM (Westchester, NY): This is my “go-to” each morning to get the best of new and classic rock with some Adelle thrown in for good measure. Morning DJ “Coach” is my guy that gets me through my first cup of coffee and the “10 at 10” is splendidly done. When that is done I start to switch around on the Internets.

Radio Alice (San Francisco, CA): I went to college in the Bay Area (San Jose State specifically) and I like to keep up with the news there while also finding new tunes. “Sarah & Vinnie” are a good morning show team and because of Radio Alice I discovered P!nk, The Weeknd and Drake which I would never catch on rock stations. (Win/win, people!)

KFOG-FM (San Francisco, CA); One of my favorite stations in the whole world which almost went off the rails a few years ago with a horrible morning show change debacle (don’t even remind me of that garbage!) However, they are now properly back to basics with Renee, “No Name” and Irish Greg in the mornings. They also have their own “10 at 10” hosted by Annalisa who has sublime taste in music.

WLIR FM (Internet Station): WLIR was THE station to listen to in New York when I was a kid as they played all of the current “New Rock” plus classics of 80s New Wave thrown in. They are online only now with very, very few commercials and a mish mash playlist that includes JR JR, Beck, Avicii, Foo Fighters and then thrown in gems like T’Pau’s “Heart & Soul” (an underrated classic IMHO.)

The Peak FM (Vancouver, BC): In my soul I am Canadian girl from Toronto who loves The Tragically Hip and Kids in the Hall but my favorite station from Toronto no longer plays online for Americans (boo!) I now depend on The Peak in Vancouver to give my rock fix with a Canuck flavor. Because of them I learned about Dear Rouge and Matthew Sweet. Great stuff here!

Sirius Satellite Radio: I don’t own a car so I listen to this online to catch Howard Stern (though his celebrity interviews are so looooong and boring now) and listen to the variety of channels they offer here. You can really dive deep into what your musical interests are with Sirius and some of the talk shows are fun as well. (But I understand if you do not want to pay the fee each month.)

WXRT FM (Chicago, IL): This is without question my favorite station in the world with an incredible catalog of music for the offering. In any one afternoon I can catch Prince, Bonnie Raitt, The Beatles, Adelle, Michael Franti, Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode. I am constantly finding new music from these guys & gals and feel such sadness when the Internet is down and I can’t listen to them. (Though the weather reports from there remind me that NYC cold is really not that cold at all!)

What are your favorite stations to listen to for inspiration?

Top 10 Workout Songs for 2015:

So now is the time to get to what I stated in the headline for this post—my favorite workout songs for 2015. I present them to you in no particular order. All of them got positive responses from my students and keep me motivated when I work out on my own.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

“Hotline Bling” by Drake

(I also love this version with 2015 Internet superstars Duchi and Lilice)

“I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd

“The Wolf” by Mumford & Sons

“Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay

“Ship to Wreck” by Florence & The Machine

“Congregation” by Foo Fighters

“Worth It” by Fifth Harmony

“My Type” by Saint Motel

“2 Heads” by Coleman Hell

“Shut Up & Dance” by Walk the Moon

Oh well, that’s it for me today. I will be back soon with magazine reviews, playlists, reviews and so much more. I hope you have a wonderful last week of 2015!

(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!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick News: Book Vs. Movie Podcast, Top Songs of 2015 and Piriformis Syndrome

Posted on December 27, 2015 by brooklynfitchick

Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes End of 2015 Special!

Book vs Movie Podcast Episodes: “The Devil Wears Prada” & “Fried Green Tomatoes”

Call-Outs for Top Songs of 2015

Advice for Piriformis Syndrome

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Simply cannot believe 2015 is coming to a close and while I am trying to make sense of a year which had far more “lows” than “highs” I wanted to take the time to say ‘”thank you.” Thanks to every single one of my readers who check out my Blog and make comments. It is SO appreciated.

I discovered my voice while working on “Brooklyn Fit Chick.com” four years ago and have made some of the greatest friends in the whole world in the Blogosphere. I am looking forward to all of the new lessons you have to teach me in 2016 and hope I can make a positive impact in your life as well.

If nothing else—I promise to make you giggle from time to time!

As I get my last few posts written for 2015 allow me the chance to talk about a few news & notes going through my brain right now.

Book Vs Movie Podcast News:

Margo Porras of She’s Nacho Mama’s Blog and I co-host the “Book Vs. Movie” podcast (that you can subscribe to via iTunes at this link) and this past year we really kicked serious butt with the downloads. (As Homer Simpson would say—woo hoo!) And believe me when I tell you that hardly anyone I personally know (except for my mother) listens to us so that is pretty damn cool!

Our two top episodes so far are Gone Girl and The Outsiders. If you have any suggestions for us on your favorite book to movie adaptations, leave a comment below and/or at our Facebook Page. (We are always looking for ideas!)

In the meantime, here are our last two episodes talking about The Devil Wears Prada and Fried Green Tomatoes. (Our next one will be Waiting to Exhale and will come out in early January.)

Top Songs for 2015:

Many of you know already that I am a fitness instructor with a passion for putting together the “just right” playlist for each class. I feel as if it is my chance each hour to not only enable good health for a fellow human being but to also get to be a DJ with a captive audience. (I have some control issues to work out…)

My students know that if they want to treat me to a present at the holidays an iTunes gift card will do nicely. I post my personal playlists on this Blog as frequently as I can plus I create them for Fit Bottomed Girls with special themes ranging “Madonna vs. Lady Gaga” to Halloween.

This week I plan to post my picks for the top songs of 2015 and am curious which ones would be on your list? What new tunes did you really dig this year? Here is my handful to start:

“I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
“Hotline Bling” by Drake
“The Wolf” by Mumford & Sons
“Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay
“Ship to Wreck” by Florence & The Machine

Let me know your picks for 2015 in the comments below!

Piriformis Trouble:

Last month I told you all that I was having hamstring issues from all of my years of cycling. Unfortunately it looks as if it is a little worse than that. In fact, my symptoms are indicating that I have Piriformis Syndrome which is (if I can be a little crude here) a pain in my butt. This occurs when the piriformis muscle compresses on your sciatic nerve causing a radiating pain down the leg.

It hurts when I sit or lie down for too long and getting out of bed in the morning (if I forget to sleep on a heating pad) is a chore.

Ibuprofen and my BelleCore Body Buffer are my new best friends. I have been instructed to foam roll as often as a I can and to sit and roll on two lacrosse balls to undo that knot in my muscle twice per day. Icing it down helps a bit as well but every time I see wooden or metal chair my inside my inner voice says “oh sh*t!”

It makes me a bit grumpy to be slowed down in any way but I know that if I do things correctly now it will pay off in the long run. My question for y ’all is if any of you have been through this can you give me your best advice? I am eager to try just about anything at this point. Thank you in advance!

Oh well, that’s it for me today. I will be back soon with magazine reviews, playlists, reviews and so much more. I hope you have a wonderful last week of 2015!

(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!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: Featuring Eminem, The Weeknd, JR JR and More!

Posted on December 23, 2015 by brooklynfitchick

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Gone” Playlist (50 Minute-Ride)

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

How on earth did a whole month go by without me creating a new playlist? Sheesh! You know how it is—Thanksgiving shows up out of nowhere and the next thing you know there are gifts to buy, breads to bake and multiple holiday cards to send. It’s a wonder I was able to sneak one in this past week but I did just that (patting herself on the back.)

Let me know what you think of it and remember—I need song suggestions, always. So be sure to post them in the comments below!

Thanks!

Gone: JR JR

The band’s PR rep got in touch with me via my work for Fit Bottomed Girls where I am compiling a peppy/upbeat playlist to post sometime in January.

Those of you who actually know me would not exactly call me “peppy” (spastic, yes but not peppy.) However, this song just got under my skin and I decided to use it in classes this past weekend and everyone loved it. So there you go!

Welcome to Paradise: Green Day

For every class I teach I make sure the “second” song is a butt kicker to get everyone in gear and to really get their collective heartrates up. This song might just be a wee bit too fast but, so what? It works!

Mass Romantic: The New Pornographers

One of my favorite Canadian bands really cooks with this playful tune that has a jangly sound. (I like me some jangle!)

Adventure of a Lifetime: Coldplay

I know there are Coldplay haters that exist in the world but I don’t give a rat’s butt about any of them. They know how to craft music that will make you want to move and bop your head to the beat. #teamchrismartin

Lose Yourself: Eminem

True story—the gym’s stereo broke over this past weekend and I had to use a little boom box in a big room to teach my classes. That in and of itself was bad enough, but having to play this amazing song by Eminem with a low volume almost killed me! You need volume to really raise the roof with this one. (Truth)

The Wolf: Mumford & Sons

Thee is nary a banjo in this one from the British band that really rocks it out here.

2 Heads: Coleman Hell

Another Canadian (Thunder Bay, Ontario!) on my list and this one DOES indeed use a banjo with amazing results on his song here.

Can’t feel My Face: The Weeknd

ANOTHER Canadian (Toronto!) and this is his biggest hit in the U.S. so far. Just try to listen and move to the beat—it’s impossible!

Price Tag: Jessie J

I love this song because it mixes unbridled optimism with a fun /not-posh British accent.

Cannibal: Silversun Pickups

The Silversun Pickups write songs that are so hard charging and excellent that they are virtually all perfect for high speed sprints and intervals.

Please Don’t Leave Me: P!nk

Alecia Moore (P!nk’s real name!) writes some of the sweetest ear candy in the whole world and this romantic song always gets to me.

Time to Pretend: MGMT

Whatever happened to this band? Does anyone know?

Song for Someone: U2

Some people groused about getting a whole free album downloaded (for free!) into their iTunes accounts by one of the biggest bands of all time. (First world problems, people!) I on the other hand think it’s one of their best efforts and this song in particular is beautiful.

That’s it for me this time. Now go out there get your workout in!

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: “Shut Up and Drive” Ride!

Posted on November 18, 2014 by brooklynfitchick

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Shut Up and Drive Ride”

“Yo Margo! Let’s hang out at the Barclay Center!”

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

I love putting together playlists. The ability to be a coach while also indulging in my “secret DJ” side has brought me so much indescribable joy in my life that I could honestly when I hear a student say “I just love your music!” (Heart is beating faster and spirit is now soaring!)

So when I started to post them up on this here Blog I just sort of wanted to place to just PUT them. I honestly did not expect anyone to actually pay attention but have crazily formed relationships with instructors all over the world who have added some of my favorite tunes to their class playlists.

It makes this Fit Chick so happy to introduce Metric and Dear Rouge to other instructors and now I am asking YOU to send me your favorite song suggestions. Bring –em on and let us all dominate the world with one playlist at a time!

Let’s Go!

Shut Up and Drive: Rhianna

Rhianna is sort of a new obsession for me. I am just digging her style and grooving to her tunes as often as I can. This is a fun one to play at the top of the class to get their attention and get them focused on a high energy workout.

I Heard I Had: Dear Rouge

I am sort of obsessed with this duo from Vancouver who won a ton of radio competitions in the Great White North. Now I need to help them break big here in the States!

Swamp: Talking Heads

This is my opportunity to get just a wee bit self-indulgent and play one of the my favorite songs form one of my favorite concert films (Stop Making Sense) of all time.

I Will Wait: Mumford & Sons

Normally I am not a “banjo” kind of gal but this song is fun to get people moving their butts faster to keep up to the beat.

No Church in the Wild: Kanye West & Jay Z

I love, love, love this song so much and appreciate the Frank Ocean singing along with Kanye and Jay Z pretending to be bad asses.

Jingo: Santana

Okay gang—if you need a song to rev people up and push them—try this one from Santana that features a tribal drum beat that is off the hook!

Butterfly: Crazy Town

No idea what this song is even about but it is pretty damn great!

Chelsea Dagger: The Fratellis

I just got turned on t this band from Scotland and this tune makes me want to pump my fist in the air (in a good way, of course.)

Gold Guns Girls: Metric

This is another Canadian band I am determined to make more famous—one class at a time.

Poker Face: Lady Gaga

It’s been a while since I featured the shy and bashful LG in a playlist so why not today? (If you get a chance—go to You Tube and look up Christopher Walken reading the lyrics to Poker Face—it’s a gem!)

Tonight Tonight: Smashing Pumpkins

I like to use this song for a climb that finished with a big flourish—try it and see for yourself!

Heart is a Drum: Beck

A really dreamy tune and perfect for a cool down from the cooler than ever Beck.

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!)

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: “Four Climbs & Some Foos” 50-Minute Ride

Posted on May 20, 2014 by brooklynfitchick

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

The “Four-Climbs & Some Foos” 50-Minute Ride Set

Four Climbs & Some Foos

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

This week I was in the mood to rock out to some old 90s tunes while climbing hills so this playlist is a reflection of that notion. There are four “hills” here and I urge you to try to push yourself and the amount of resistance you use on a climb. Tire your legs out on the hills and then recover with intervals. Let me know what you think!

Middle Sea: Yuck

Here is a brand-new band from London with a kind of cheesy name. (Never commit to a band name that’s funny—that kind of stuff will get tiresome for them real soon!)

Use It: The New Pornographers

This is one of those fun “bouncy” songs that always seems to put people in a good mood.

Can’t Hold Us: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (featuring Ray Dalton)

I know some people are suffering from Macklemore exhaustion but this song is pretty damn great.

I Will Wait: Mumford & Sons

Every time I hear this song I forget that I am supposed to act too cool for Mumford & Sons. (They write catchy tunes, people!)

Apparitions: Matthew Good Band

I really wish I could find the video for this song but am happy we to have this clip to share today.

Come With Me Now: KONGOS

This is another new band with a strange name in ALL CAPS but regardless of how I feel about that choice—this stompy tune is fun to sing along to. “Come with me now!

Doin’ Time: Sublime

Cannot believe how old this song is (1997) or how old I am. (Need a nap now.)

Spaceman: The Killers

Not sure why more people don’t know this tune from The Killers because it kicks serious ass.

Clint Eastwood: Gorillaz

I use this for a slow, heavy climb in my classes.

No Light, No Light: Florence & the Machine

Thing song makes me want to grab a hairbrush and lip sync my little heart out.

My Hero: Foo Fighters

The Foo Fighters wrote this about Kurt Cobain which makes it extra poignant. (Plus, I still really have the hots for Dave Grohl.)

I Can’t Go For That: Hall & Oates

The Philly Soul duo is now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—about time!!!

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.

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

BFC

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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

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Brooklyn Fit Chick Workout Playlist: The “Change” Climb with Foo Fighters, No Doubt, Alex Clare, P!nk & more

Posted on April 15, 2013 by brooklynfitchick

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S WORKOUT PLAYLIST

“Change” Playlist (The 4-Hills Ride)

Gil Hodges Bridge

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Lately I have been in the mood to get on my bike and ride out to Far Rockaway—just to see how everyone is doing there (FU Hurricane Sandy!) and also to feel the climb the Marine Parkway Gil Hodges Bridge. It’s a scary as hell climb for a person with height issues (like me) but it is also beyond exhilarating to ride over the narrow walkway and feel the wind in my face as I go.

Anyhoo—whenever I take on that bridge I like to put on a “climbing song” to get in the mood. So today I bring you some of my favorite tunes to get my feet peddling up an incline.

Enjoy…

Change: Churchill

I know absolutely nothing about this group except I really like this song. Are you familiar with them?

Man Like That: Gin Wigmore

This is a new song that I have been playing the last few weeks and it really seems to get people into a great mood.

Spiderwebs: No Doubt

My inner “90s Chick” gets super-happy every single time I hear this song. (Go Gwen!)

Little Lion Man: Mumford & Sons

My students are always surprised how much cursing exists in the “real” version of this song. (I think it makes it so much better.)

Get Higher: Black Grape

Our first official “climb song” comes from an English group that really likes their recreational drug use. (If I do not judge reggae musicians for it I can’t attack the Brits for the same thing!) Get Higher is SO subversive and no one ever seems to catch on to the theme. Love that!

Rope: Foo Fighters

Honestly you can play just about any Foo songs in a spin class and people will totally dig it.

Undone (The Sweater Song): Weezer

Lately I have been going through a total Weezer faze… (Second climb by the way.)

Telephone: Lady Gaga & Beyoncé

OMG—I freaking LOVE this song so much I want to marry it.

Too Close: Alex Clare

Our third climb features a song that could have been recorded in the 80s for all I can tell. That’s a compliment by the way.

The Pit: Silversun Pickups

This is one of my new favorite bands and this tune always makes me want to peddle faster.

Hallelujah: Happy Mondays

This is from the soundtrack of a movie I absolutely adore–24 Hour Party People. (Last climb!)

The Middle: Jimmy Eat World

A fun, fast song to end the ride. Everyone likes this song.

Try: P!nk

I just discovered P!nk a few months ago and cannot explain why it took me so long to get on the bandwagon.

So what do you think of my list? Remember to send me your favorite tunes in the comments below.

Until next time…

Ox Ox,

Brooklyn Fit Chick

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

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