music for exercise Archives

Playlists December 11, 2013 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: Vampire Weekend, Kanye West, Fatboy Slim, K-Os, Metric & More

BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Unbelievers Ride” (50-minute Ride)

Yup, this is what rock stars look like now.

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

This week’s playlist features a variety of beats and genres that will get your heart pumping and help motivate you to work harder, run faster and spin a little longer. (Or just get out of your own head and get your butt moving!)

Do me a favor? Let me know what you think and please tell me what is on your workout playlist these days.

First up…

Unbelievers: Vampire Weekend

I don’t always agree with rock critics on what I “should” love but this is one of those rare Brooklyn bands that are actually as good as their press indicates. (Is that throwing shade? I don’t mean to!)

Let’s Fall in Love: Mother Mother

This comes from a Canadian group that I am rather fond of and think should get famous here in the States right away. (The video is a little disturbing to some people so be warned there is a message about gender violence going on.)

My Body: Young the Giant

I admit to not being too familiar with Young the Giant but I love this song and think it sounds great when played really loud during class.

Locked out of Heaven: Bruno Mars

Whenever I play this in class my students start to bop their heads to the beat. It’s so damn adorable.

Weapon of Choice: Fatboy Slim

A good song that has the MOST amazing video ever attached to it as well—big win for all!

Butterfly: Crazy Town

I feel terrible the lead singer Shifty Shellshock has had his troubles (and especially having them exploited by the fame vampire Dr. Drew) and I hope he gets another chance to come up with a cool single.

Synthetica: Metric

One of my favorite bands is almost always on my playlists. Because they rock so damn hard!

Walk Away: James Gang

It is absolutely worth going to see The Eagles because you have the chance to hear a cool Joe Walsh tune or two. (Like this one!)

Music: Madonna

I always thought this video was trashy (even with a hilarious Sacha Baron Cohen playing da Ali G.) but I still dig doing sprints to this one from Madonna.

Crabbuckit: K-Os

This is just a really fun song, that’s it.

Seven Nation Army: The White Stripes

Jack White is one nutty dude but I am starting to find him attractive. Hmm…

Stronger: Kanye West

Okay, yes—this guy has an ego the size of New Jersey and is childish. But he has some good grooves in him and this song makes me want to work out harder.

Wish You Were Here: Radiohead

One of my favorite songs of all time and this cover is pretty damn terrific.

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

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Playlists November 26, 2013 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: Thanksgiving Big Bucket of Joy Ride

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BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Thank You Ride” (55-minute Ride)

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

Today’s playlist honors everything I love about the Thanksgiving holiday—mainly as a day to remember to be thankful, joyous and celebrate your friends & family. I put this list together with the hope it makes people feel happy. So pass the turkey and the white wine this way as we take a look at my top Thanksgiving-inspired tunes.

I included a photo of my favorite Thanksgiving movie above Planes, Trains and Automobiles but let me be clear—the music from that film is the WORST. Really the most terrible, awful, synthesizer-dependent soundtrack of all time!

Let the Day Begin: The Call

I love to begin with sweet & lovely song and it seems to get the ride off in a happy mood. This one always puts the class in a good mood.

Walking on Sunshine: Katrina & the Waves

This tune makes everyone bop their heads along to the beat. It also has one of those “damn, ain’t it great to be alive?” moods to it.

Thank You (Fallentin Be Mice Self): Sly & the Family Stone

The formal “thank you” songs begin here and it is super funk-ay.

Black Friday: Steely Dan

Because the crazy shopping begins on Friday (or on Thursday evening for some of those retail freaks out there.)

Hey Ya: Outkast

If there was ever song created to make people smile and feel good—this is the one.

What a Wonderful World: Joey Ramone

This is probably my favorite version of one of my favorite songs of all time.

Praise You: Fatboy Slim

Praise, celebration, fun times! This song has it and a catchy beat that I like to use for climbs.

Family Affair: Mary J. Blige

Let’s celebrate like a functional family, people! (They do exist—right?)

I Want to Celebrate: Rare Earth

I use this one for sprint and high intensity intervals.

I Thank You: ZZ Top

There is something wrong with you if you can’t have a little fun with this my boys with the beards. Very naughty and nice at the same time!

Friends: Led Zeppelin

One of the nice things about being the teacher is that I can put together any playlist I want. And that means I can include this little gem from Led Zeppelin 3.

Lovely Day: Bill Withers

The man holds the last note for over a minute people! What is better than that? (Sorry but no video is available of this tune!!!)

It’s a Good Day: Peggy Lee

Not sure why this song has been stuck in my head lately but I figured this was a good of a time as any to include it in my class.

Thank You: Dido

What is Dido up to these days? I really loved this album.

Thank You: Tory Amos

This is such a cool version of another favorite Led Zeppelin tune.

That’s all I have today folks. Please, please know about some of your favorite songs. 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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Playlists November 19, 2013 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist: “Big Blue Wave & RIP Lou Reed Ride”

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BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S PLAYLIST

“Big Blue Wave & RIP Lou Reed” (50-minute Ride)

Hey there! Hi there! How there!

I have two new online stations that have been rocking my world lately and helping me add to my playlists. Here they are:

WLIR online plays an amazing selection of alternative music from the last 30 years. Everything from the B-52s to Lorde to Depeche Mode. Now, since this is a free online station they get a little too crowded sometimes and you can’t log on. But if you, definitely try them out!
The Peak in Vancouver plays amazing alternative music plus tons of Canadian bands which are new to me and I am finding I really love.

Got that? So let’s get into to today’s playlist which consists of some old and new tunes to get you in the mood to run, cycle and workout harder. Let’s go!

Big Blue Wave: Hey Ocean!

Hey Ocean! Is a Canadian band that released this fun, frothy tune last year. Love opening up with it in my classes.

Pump It: The Black Eyed Peas

One of my students asked me recently “who wrote that Pulp Fiction smash up song?” It took me a minute to figure out what she was talking about!

Come & Get It: Selena Gomez

I just lerve this song to pieces.

Breathing Underwater: Metric

I have said the before but I need to state again how much I regret not seeing this band when they played in New York last year. Will not make that same mistake again!

Rebellion: Arcade Fire

This is one of the best songs ever to climb to or make yourself work harder. It’s fantastic!

Rebel Yell: Billy Idol

OMG this is just the greatest song in the world. How does it get better than “in the midnight hour—she cried more, more, MORE!”

American Psyco: Treble Charger

Yet another Canadian band I was unaware of until The Peak!

Family Affair: Mary J. Blige

I am dedicating this one to my friend Stacy who introduced me to badass Mary J.

Spaceman: The Killers

I like to perform high intensity sprints to this song.

Simple Life: Elton John

This is one of Elton’s lesser known 90s tunes but I love it for long climbs and the lyrics are really inspiring.

Hell: Tegan and Sarah

Hell yeah, I say!

Walk on the Wild Side: Lou Reed

This is one of those pieces of culture that inspired me to move to New York. I spent my whole life in the boring ‘burbs and I was ready to indeed walk on the wild side. (RIP Lou Reed. This city will be much less interesting without you in it.)

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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Playlists May 23, 2013 by Margo Donohue

Brooklyn Fit Chick Playlist “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)” with Michael Franti, Metric, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5 & More

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BROOKLYN FIT CHICK’S WORKOUT PLAYLIST

“I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)” Playlist

50-Minute Intervals Ride

Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!

I have been looking for new tunes to try out in my classes and am rather happy with this playlist which mixes some newer releases with a couple of classics.

This is a 50-minute interval ride with several quick segments that will give a nice fat burn. Enjoy!

I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like): Michael Franti

I am calling this the song of summer for 2013. How much more joyful can a tune be, people?!

Mrs. Robinson: The Lemonheads

The lead singer (Evan Dando) was considered a big heartthrob in the 90s. (Oh the 90s—how I miss you!)

I Want To Take You Higher: Sly & the Family Stone

Sly Stone is famous for being something of a kook but his music totally kicks ass so who cares? (This particular clip is pretty damn amazing!)

Synthetica: Metric

I have been featuring them for weeks and for damn good reason—they write killer songs!

Radioactive: Imagine Dragons

There are only two climbs in this set and this is what we play for the first one.

Let Me Entertain You: Robbie Williams

OMG—I had the biggest crush ever on this guy. Swoon!

Wakeup Call: Maroon 5

This is my favorite song of theirs.

Blister in the Sun: Violent Femmes

I have my classes do some quick “out of the saddle” runs with this one.

You Get What You Give: New Radicals

This is just about one of my favorite songs of all time and think it is perfect for this time of year—with graduations coming up and all. (The second “climb” song by the way.)

Everlong: Foo Fighters

The fighters of foo are perfect for any spin class really.

Please Don’t Leave Me: Pink

This is the sweetest & saddest love song that is set to the happiest beat–ever. I had a student leave my room in tears recently because of the lyrics! True story.

City of Blinding Lights: U2

We do some long out of the saddle runs with this song and I think it is one the best U2 have written .

Take a Picture: Filter

The singer, Richard Patrick (whom I have a big crush on,) wrote this after getting in trouble for being drunk and naked on a plane. It was just before 9/11 so people used to have more fun in the skies!

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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