Whoa, Neighbors, this was a WEEK! So much to discuss–RHOP finale–chef’s kiss to the ladies of Potomac; they bring it so hard. RHOSLC, these ladies are a close 2nd for their delusion & sheer insanity. The BeeGees Doc on HBO was a hit for Margo, as was Netflix’s The Prom for Erin. We also have a podcast rec for your earholes. Saddle up!!
It’s me–Brooklyn Fit Chick and I am back from a year of illness, injury and family deaths and I am (finally) ready to get back to putting together playlists.
Seriously, 2018 was a big bucket of suck for many reasons and I plan to post a bit of what I have been through in the future. (It’s been a hell of a journey!)
Today, however, I just want to talk about my new favorite playlist I have put together. It’s a perfect 45 minutes if interval with a cool jam to cool things out. Let’s get to it!
Sucker/Jonas Brothers
I have no idea why it took me so long to get on the Jonas train–but this song is fantastic as a warmup tune and I am not planning on ever getting sick of it.
Gave You Everything/The Interruptors
I love this “ska/punk” Los Angeles band and this song puts me in the best move ever. Perfect “second song for a workout” that will have you singing along.
California Love/2Pac
I get a little old school hip hop here in this list. Deal with it!
Breathing Underwater/Metric
One of my favorite bands in the whole world is from Canada and I need to try and see them live one of these days.
Lose Yourself/Eminem
This is for a slow, heavy climb on the bike and it is always guaranteed to get heads boppin to the beat.
Times Like These/Foo Fighters
I alwys need my Foos to give me energy and no one sing/screams better than Dave Grohl.
Hypnotize/The Notorious B.I.G.
This is an old-school Brooklyn jam and using the clean version in my classes always cracks me up silly.
Holy Ghost/BORNS
This song came out a few years ago but I am usually late to these things. I love the dreamy quality of this music and use it for an out-of-the-saddle climb.
The Pit/Silversun Pickups
I love to use this one for in the saddle sprints and people make the cutest faces as they ride with this tune.
We Got the Beat/Go-Go’s
This is one of those songs that came out in the early 80s but sound just as as fresh as today.
Salvation/The Strumbellas
I love how positive and cheerful this fast-paced song is and the video for it is beyond adorable.
I Want it That Way/Backstreet Boys
If you can resist this slow jam–I really don’t want to know you at all, quite frankly.
That’s it for today’s playlist.
I promise to be back with more news, essay, personal stories and playlists soon.
“RIP Avicii and Dolores O’Riordan Ride” (50 Minute Playlist)
DJ Avicii
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
It has been way too long since I posted a playlist as my podcasting world has expanded into FOUR shows (and counting!) and finding the time to not only create new lists but to also post them has been a little overwhelming.
The recent deaths of DJ Avicii and Dolores O’Riordan made me want to revisit their beautiful music and create something special. Today’s playlist is the usual mix of old and new and I hope it gives you that inspiration to run longer and faster than ever. I tried to get videos for all of them but their quality will vary.
I will be back as soon as I can with a new batch of tunes not randomly thrown together. Sending you good vibes wherever you may be!
Wake Me Up: Avicii
My favorite song by him, period.
Synchronicity 1: The Police
This is one of my top go-to “second songs” to play in class, but make sure the stereo speakers are working. If one of them is out, it will sound funky (not in a good way.)
Worth It:Fifth Harmony
Now we get to the dancy beats of Fifth Harmony. I love this song so much because it makes me want to show off my moves on the dance floor. (Not that they are worth showing off, but who cares?)
Sunday Morning:K-os
I plan to make K-os famous in America one of these days. (He is Canadian which means I like him sight unseen.)
Zombie::The Cranberries
Dammit, RIP Dolores O’Riordan!
Wake Up Call:Maroon 5
This song makes me feel like a teenager (youthful but not as gawky as I really was.)
Lose Control: Missy Elliott
If you can withstand this beat, check your pulse.
Pray For Me: The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar
The soundtrack for Black Panther is even better than the movie which is saying something, people!
Only: Nine Inch Nails
This is one of the best songs I use for sprinting intervals because it has an intense feel to it without being overwhelming. Try it for yourself!
Sexy Back: Justin Timberlake
Okay, so his Super Bowl® appearance was a little less than inspiring, but his music still makes me want to move my booty and this song, in particular, gives me the “happies.’
Never Let You Go: Third Eye Blind
I actually like this song better than their biggest hit—Semi-Charmed Life.
Bamboleo: Gipsy Kings
When I want to give a “summery”/beachy feel—I put on this song. Great way to end before the cool down.
Empire State of Mind: Jay Z & Alicia Keys
This is probably my favorite song about my favorite city in the whole wide world.
That’s it for me this time. I will be back soon with another batch of tunes to get you all kinds of motivated!
Hey there! Hi there! Ho Ho Ho there! (See what I did there? #clever)
I can’t believe how long it has been since I put one of these together. This year has been kind of a jumble of amazing things and not-so-great things that have been keeping me from Blogging on a regular basis. I hope to fix that in 2017 but in the meantime, I wanted to share my newest playlist that this past weekend earned me lots of shouts of “woot!” and “hell yeah!”
I hope you like the selections listed here and hope one or two may wind up on your iPod soon! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Also—be sure to leave a few of your favorite workout song suggestions as well.
Wicked Game (featuring Anna Naklab):Parra for Cuva
This song was suggested by one of my favorite students (a front-row achiever who has been a regular of mine for over 6 years now!) She heard randomly on either Pandora or Spotify and thought it would be perfect as a warmup tune and darn it– she picked a good one!
I love the dreamy vocals and steady beat.
All the Small Things: blink-182
The video always cracked me up as it spoofed on boy bands of the day though it turns out to be far more of a pop song than a rock one if you ask me.
Fantastic Voyage:Coolio
I really prefer the mix I have from an old MTV compilation CD but I gave it away in a rare “Marie Kondo-inspired” fit of tidiness. The “real” version is fine and gets people in a fun, 90s mood.
Jingo:Santana
This is one of my favorite “go-to” songs for running drills as the percussion beat and searing guitars are impossible to resist. You hear Jingo and you want to move faster and longer.
Hallelujah:The Happy Mondays
I have never heard of this band until viewing the film 24 Hour Party People and fell in love with the music and culture of 80s/90s Britain. This is a longer climb (over 6 minutes) and the beat is perfect for getting people in the mood to load resistance and WORK!
In Da Club:50 Cent
This is one of those tunes that makes everyone in the room bob their heads to the beat of the music. Its tres adorable to watch!
Machinehead: Bush
There are times when I need something that SCREAMS 90s rock and Bush always fits that bill.
Welcome to Your Life:Grouplove
To keep myself motivated and upbeat in 2017 my plan is to include songs with a positive message which is what I assume is going on here. If you decide to play in your classes be aware that the volume makes BIG changes during the chorus meaning it gets VERY loud then.
The Pit: Silversun Pickups
I love me some Silervsun Pickups for sprints and this song does the job very nicely.
Bootylicious:Destiny’s Child
Recently I was getting my bi-weekly pedicure (because I am super fancy like that) when this song came over the headphones of the big, muscular dude sitting next to me (true story!) It made me smile to hear it when he turned to me and said “You have to love Beyoncé and Stevie (Nicks) together in a song!” He is my spirit animal.
24K Magic:Bruno Mars
While not his best work, this tune is fun and bouncy which is all most things need to be to make me happy. Truth!
Bohemian Like You:The Dandy Warhols
(See above about my occasional need for 90s rock)
Madness:Muse
One of my other favorite regulars shows up every Monday and Friday morning wearing pajamas OVER his workout clothes and he loves Muse—so here they are!
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
I quickly threw together a playlist over the weekend and guess what? I managed to NOT include Avicii in one this time! (I will give you a moment to recover from the shock.)
Instead, I went back to a OneRepublic (their spelling, not mine) song that I love and did my usual “mix the old with the new” and see if magic can happen. (The initial reviews are looking good so far!)
Let me know what you think and please leave some song suggestions in the comments below or on Twitter @BrooklynFitChik.
Oh! And just wanted to remind you I am co-host of the brand new Fit Bottomed Girls podcast so come check us out! http://fitbottomedgirls.com/podcast/
Now let’s get to gettin’!
Counting Stars:OneRepublic
This song is a uniter not a divider because it makes the whole room happy when they hear it. Perfect for the warmup portion and gets things off to an energetic start.
Got Your Number: Serena Ryder
Canadian chanteuse Serena Ryder writes these kick-ass songs that are strong and bold. I really love to play this one as a “second song’ as it builds on the energy of the warmup.
Can’t Hold Us:Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
This is the Macklemore I love—loud and brash without any sentimentality going on.
Promiscuous:Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Some of my favorite jams comes from Timothy of Timbaland,
Waterfalls:TLC
I can’t think of any human being who doesn’t absolutely LOVE this song when I play it. I love using it for slow climbs in my spin classes.
Lust for Life:Iggy Pop
For this song I ask the students to perform some running out of the saddle drills but with some punk rock attitude. (Most attempt which is so adorable.)
Houdini: Foster the People
This is the most fun and bounciest tune in the whole ride. (LOVE it!)
Only:Nine Inch Nails
My inner 90s rock chick needs to hear some Trent Reznor from time to time and this song fits the bill. (Warning—there is a clean and an explicit version of this one!)
Hymn for the Weekend: Coldply (with Beyonce!)
I thought their paring at the 2016 Superbowl was a fluke. Turns out Bey recorded with the boys of Coldplay a while ago. Who knew?
Starships:Nicki Minaj
Once again—a clean and explicit version exists here!
Tearing Me Up:Bob Moses
This is my new favorite, sexy slow jam and I am turning many of my students into Bob Moses fans. (You’re welcome, society at large!)
I Feel Love:Blue Man Group
We finish with a faster pace song before the cool down and people seem to dig this version of the Donna Summer classic.
Wildflowers:Tom Petty
The world is better because Tom is in it and let’s just all form a prayer circle around him so we do not lose another amazing musician this year!
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
I am back to trying to crank out a new playlist every other week which is a herculean task considering how many songs are in my repertoire—but I am up for it! My goal in 2017 is to branch out and listen to new artists and new kinds of music so if any of you out there have suggestions—hit me up in the comments.
In the meantime—take a look/listen to today’s playlist as I hope it inspires you for your next workout.
I Lived (Arty Remix):OneRepublic
I prefer this “Arty Remix” as it has some fast-paced intervals in there which makes for a great warm-up song.
Hell: Tegan and Sara
This is one of my favorite songs from Tegan and Sara because it has the right amount of happy energy and a good beat. The video, however, is just a wee but pretentious IMHO.
Blow Me (One Last Kiss):P!nk
P!nk is one of my favorite artists and this song always makes me want to sing along even though she sings in an impossible key during the chorus!
Long Road to Ruin:Foo Fighters
The Foos are my “go-to” for most rides as you can probably can tell by now. Therefore, I cannot believe this is the first time Long Road to Ruin has been featured on one of my playlists. (Bad Margo!)
Dangerous (featuring Joywave):Big Data
I love the bouncy beat of this song and how when it plays—my students bop their heads to the bass line. (So freaking cute!)
2 Heads:Coleman Hell
My mother refers to this as the ‘banjo song’ which also makes her giggle every time she hears it. So now you know—you’re welcome!
I Am One: Smashing Pumpkins
My inner 90s rock chick needs to be listened to from time to time and the Smashing Pumpkins reminds of those fun days.
Starboy: The Weeknd
I am beginning to become a big fan of The Weeknd even though the spelling of his stage name is pretty lame. (Do you think he regrets it already?)
Gold, Girls, Guns: Metric
This is one of the best songs I use for sprinting intervals because it has an intense feel to it without being overwhelming. Try it for yourself!
Crabbuckit: k-os
If you love pop & hip hop music—give Canadian k-os a listen some time. You will thank me later!
24k Magic: Bruno Mars
No—I am not sick of this song yet. Bruno knows how to create a funky beat that makes folks happy.
Moves Like Jagger: Maroon 5
This is the song that made me like Maroon 5. I can’t help but start singing along to it.
Sara: Fleetwood Mac
Sometimes I just need to hear some old-school Fleetwood Mac to mellow me out after a tough workout and this song fits the job perfectly.
That’s it for me this time. I will be back soon with another batch of tunes to get you all kinds of motivated!
2016 will soon be leaving us and may I just say on behalf of Prince, Davis Bowie, Alan Rickman and Carrie Fisher fans everywhere—don’t let the door hit you on the a** on the way out! (Sheesh—you sucked butt horrible year!)
So, I want to finish the playlist for the year on a happy note and pick my “Top 7 Workout Songs of 2016.” These tunes came out in the past year and made an appearance at one time or another on my playlists. Each is special to me for their tunefulness and ability to motivate my students.
I hope you like the selections listed here and maybe one or two may wind up on your iPod soon?
Let me know what you think in the comments below. Also—be sure to leave a few of your favorite workout song suggestions as well!
The Brooklyn Fit Chick “Top 7 Workout Songs of 2016”
24 K Magic:Bruno Mars
This song was sort of a “slow burn” for me. Wasn’t too crazy about it at first but then it just got under my skin and now I need to hear it every day. Bruno knows how to write a hook!
Tearing Me Up: Bob Moses
Bob Moses has a dreaming kind of style to his voice and this tune has a great steady beat that gains in energy as it grooves along. This is one of those songs my students ask the most about after class.
This Is What You Came For:Calvin Harris/Rihanna
I really love opening the class with this collaboration from Calvin Harris & Rihanna as it does that thing I love most—it builds in energy as it moves along. Try NOT to sing along to it—the beat is irresistible!
Welcome to Your Life:Grouplove
If there is anything that has left me in a positive mood, it’s this single by Grouplove that feels both majestic and hopeful for the future. (Warning if you use it for your classes—the chorus is LOUD!)
Wish I Knew You:The Revivalists
This New Orleans band is new to me and this tune is my introduction to their sound. Me likey!
Got Your Number:Serena Ryder
Serena is a Canadian chanteuse who writes fun, catchy pop songs. I like to call this the “perfect second song to a playlist” as it helps to up the energy level.
Hymn for the Weekend: Coldplay & Beyoncé
I love the combination of Chris Martin’s piano with Beyoncé’s lovely voice which builds in energy and excitement as they song along together. One of my favorites of the last year!
That’s it for me this time. See you all in 2017! (Stay safe this holiday weekend!)
Hey there! Hi there! Ho Ho Ho there! (See what I did there? #clever)
I can’t believe how long it has been since I put one of these together. This year has been kind of a jumble of amazing things and not-so-great things that have been keeping me from Blogging on a regular basis. I hope to fix that in 2017 but in the meantime, I wanted to share my newest playlist that this past weekend earned me lots of shouts of “woot!” and “hell yeah!”
I hope you like the selections listed here and hope one or two may wind up on your iPod soon! Let me know what you think in the comments below. Also—be sure to leave a few of your favorite workout song suggestions as well.
Wicked Game (featuring Anna Naklab):Parra for Cuva
This song was suggested by one of my favorite students (a front-row achiever who has been a regular of mine for over 6 years now!) She heard randomly on either Pandora or Spotify and thought it would be perfect as a warmup tune and darn it– she picked a good one!
I love the dreamy vocals and steady beat.
All the Small Things: blink-182
The video always cracked me up as it spoofed on boy bands of the day though it turns out to be far more of a pop song than a rock one if you ask me.
Fantastic Voyage:Coolio
I really prefer the mix I have from an old MTV compilation CD but I gave it away in a rare “Marie Kondo-inspired” fit of tidiness. The “real” version is fine and gets people in a fun, 90s mood.
Jingo:Santana
This is one of my favorite “go-to” songs for running drills as the percussion beat and searing guitars are impossible to resist. You hear Jingo and you want to move faster and longer.
Hallelujah:The Happy Mondays
I have never heard of this band until viewing the film 24 Hour Party People and fell in love with the music and culture of 80s/90s Britain. This is a longer climb (over 6 minutes) and the beat is perfect for getting people in the mood to load resistance and WORK!
In Da Club:50 Cent
This is one of those tunes that makes everyone in the room bob their heads to the beat of the music. Its tres adorable to watch!
Machinehead: Bush
There are times when I need something that SCREAMS 90s rock and Bush always fits that bill.
Welcome to Your Life:Grouplove
To keep myself motivated and upbeat in 2017 my plan is to include songs with a positive message which is what I assume is going on here. If you decide to play in your classes be aware that the volume makes BIG changes during the chorus meaning it gets VERY loud then.
The Pit: Silversun Pickups
I love me some Silervsun Pickups for sprints and this song does the job very nicely.
Bootylicious:Destiny’s Child
Recently I was getting my bi-weekly pedicure (because I am super fancy like that) when this song came over the headphones of the big, muscular dude sitting next to me (true story!) It made me smile to hear it when he turned to me and said “You have to love Beyoncé and Stevie (Nicks) together in a song!” He is my spirit animal.
24K Magic:Bruno Mars
While not his best work, this tune is fun and bouncy which is all most things need to be to make me happy. Truth!
Bohemian Like You:The Dandy Warhols
(See above about my occasional need for 90s rock)
Madness:Muse
One of my other favorite regulars shows up every Monday and Friday morning wearing pajamas OVER his workout clothes and he loves Muse—so here they are!
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
“This is What We Came For” Playlist (50 Minute-Ride)
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
Sorry for the delay everyone. I did not realize how much time has gone by but between work (two jobs,) turning my hobbies into paying gigs (two podcasts) and travel– I have been terrible about keeping up my playlists. When I began teaching I would make the point to create a new one each week. Over time it has turned into maybe once per month that I can curate a new set of tunes that I feel good about.
One of my big lessons in teaching fitness is that quality trumps novelty anytime. Sure some people can churn out new and different with an almost alarming frequency but are they creating anything good? If the list is contains only 20% good tunes—then who cares if it is all new?
Many of my old playlists (I keep them all on file cards like some kind of a spin maniac) embarrass the hell out of me. I am so much more thoughtful now as to what my students want to hear which is a variety of styles. By getting out of my own iPod and looking at other places to gain new music I have learned how amazing Pink, OneRepublic, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake really are. That 80s music (no matter how it makes me) is not everyone’s favorite genre. How amazing and inclusive it is to have all kinds of music represented in one hour and that produces happy students.
So today is a collection I have been trotting lately out that has been getting lots of praise. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
This is What We Came For:Calvin Harris with Rhianna
Welcome to the Brooklyn Fit Chick playlist Calvin! It only took you shading Taylor Swift on Instagram to get my attention! (Not really—you make great music and I should have included you ages ago.
Kid Icarus: Sam Roberts Band
Second songs on my playlist are sometimes the toughest one for me to figure out. They need to gain on the energy from the starter and help set the mood for the workout. The Sam Roberts Band has lost of great tunes of you are not aware of them. Check them out!
Uprising:Muse
This song is a uniter not a divider. Everyone loves banging their heads along to this one!
I Don’t Feel Like Dancing:Scissor Sisters
This is my absolute top song for when I am in a bad mood. Elton John co-wrote which adds to its overall awesomeness.
No More Drama:Mary J Bloge
Everyone is powerless to this magical power ballad. I have seen straight white boys cheer along to it!
Tongue Tied:Group Love
I like the overall “boppiness” of this tune and yes, I did make that word up on the fly. You like?
Monkey Wrench: Foo Fighters
It would not be a Brooklyn Fit Chick ride without my beloved Foos.
Ride:twenty one pilots
I really enjoy this band but can someone please explain to me why they use all lower case letters in their names? (Coughs) affected (coughs, coughs.)
Keep the Car Running: Arcade Fire
This is one of the best songs to sprint to so why is it only 3 ½ minutes? Work on that Arcade Fire peeps!
Sexy Back:Justin Timberlake
A blast from the past and cannot believe it took me so damn long to bring it back.
Creep:TLC
Supposedly Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez (“Turn on channel 5—she’s burning the house down!”) hated this song as it seems to promote people cheating on one another. Thankfully they talked her into releasing it as it is the dopest jam.
Baby, You’re the World to Me:David Gray
Can someone please tell me what happened to David Gray? I miss hearing him on the radio!
Simple Man:Lynrd Skynrd
Never have three guitars dueling it out have sounded so down, dirty and amazing.
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
I quickly threw together a playlist over the weekend and guess what? I managed to NOT include Avicii in one this time! (I will give you a moment to recover from the shock.)
Instead, I went back to a OneRepublic (their spelling, not mine) song that I love and did my usual “mix the old with the new” and see if magic can happen. (The initial reviews are looking good so far!)
Let me know what you think and please leave some song suggestions in the comments below or on Twitter @BrooklynFitChik.
Oh! And just wanted to remind you I am co-host of the brand new Fit Bottomed Girls podcast so come check us out! http://fitbottomedgirls.com/podcast/
Now let’s get to gettin’!
Counting Stars:OneRepublic
This song is a uniter not a divider because it makes the whole room happy when they hear it. Perfect for the warmup portion and gets things off to an energetic start.
Got Your Number: Serena Ryder
Canadian chanteuse Serena Ryder writes these kick-ass songs that are strong and bold. I really love to play this one as a “second song’ as it builds on the energy of the warmup.
Can’t Hold Us:Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
This is the Macklemore I love—loud and brash without any sentimentality going on.
Promiscuous:Nelly Furtado & Timbaland
Some of my favorite jams comes from Timothy of Timbaland,
Waterfalls:TLC
I can’t think of any human being who doesn’t absolutely LOVE this song when I play it. I love using it for slow climbs in my spin classes.
Lust for Life:Iggy Pop
For this song I ask the students to perform some running out of the saddle drills but with some punk rock attitude. (Most attempt which is so adorable.)
Houdini: Foster the People
This is the most fun and bounciest tune in the whole ride. (LOVE it!)
Only:Nine Inch Nails
My inner 90s rock chick needs to hear some Trent Reznor from time to time and this song fits the bill. (Warning—there is a clean and an explicit version of this one!)
Hymn for the Weekend: Coldply (with Beyonce!)
I thought their paring at the last Superbowl was a fluke. Turns out Bey recorded with the boys of Coldplay a while ago. Who knew?
Starships:Nicki Minaj
Once again—a clean and explicit version exists here!
Tearing Me Up:Bob Moses
This is my new favorite, sexy slow jam and I am turning many of my students into Bob Moses fans. (You’re welcome, society at large!)
I Feel Love:Blue Man Group
We finish with a faster pace song before the cool down and people seem to dig this version of the Donna Summer classic.
Wildflowers:Tom Petty
The world is better because Tom is in it and let’s just all form a prayer circle around him so we do not lose another amazing musician this year!
That’s it for me this time. What are your new favorite tunes you think I should check out?
