• What's for dinner? Try one of these recipes!

All Entries For pump it up

8 Great Songs to Refresh Your Summer Workouts

Even though I've been enjoying some music-free workouts lately, I still love an upbeat music playlist—especially if I'm stuck indoors or going out for an extra long run on the weekends. I'm always updating my iPod with new tunes to keep things fresh and prevent boredom, and you've told me that you do the same. Since music is an important part of a solid fitness routine, I thought it was time to share some of the new songs I've been exercising to. Then I want you to tell me what's playing in your earbuds during your latest workouts!

Here are eight of my favorite workout songs of the moment. There's a little bit of everything here, from pop to hip hop to alternative rock.

Posted 6/9/2010  6:48:03 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 135 comments

Read More

15 Halloween Workout Songs to Burn Off Candy Calories

A few years ago, the night I taught Spinning happened to land on Halloween—not once, but two years in a row. I figured that anyone willing to show up on Halloween night to work out is pretty dedicated (or childless?), but either way, I wanted to make the workout festive and fun. I created a healthy Halloween workout mix for the class, dimmed the lights, and handed out my homemade granola bar treats when the ride was over.

It may be silly to some, but creating your own Halloween-themed workout playlist could motivate you to work out on Halloween (a must if you're going to be dipping into the candy jar that day), and it's one of few ways to have fun that doesn't involve eating candy!

So here is my healthy Halloween playlist: 15 spooky songs to help you to burn off those candy calories—and have fun doing it.

Posted 10/28/2009  7:23:12 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 100 comments

Read More

Pump It Up: 5 Fun Fitness Tracks for Your iPod

As a fitness instructor, I spend a lot of time listening to music, searching for new (and old) songs I can add to my Spinning classes or listen to while I run. I can't emphasize enough how important music is to my workouts—it really motivates me to get started, and to keep going when I'm feeling tired. So I'm going to share with you some of the newest tunes on my workout playlist. Then I want you to tell me what you're listening to!

Posted 8/5/2009  6:58:28 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 230 comments

Read More

40 Upbeat Songs to Make Your Workout Fly By

I think most exercisers agree that listening to some great music goes a long way when you're working out. It helps increase your energy and motivates you to work harder. In many ways, it even distracts you from the discomfort of exercise so that you'll keep going even when it's tough.

However, not just any music will do. We all have our own tastes and preferences for what we like to listen to when we exercise: pop, dance, techno, rock, metal, hip hop (Coach Jen's favorite), or all of the above. Sometimes, it's not the genre that matters; it's the pace (or beat). Others like inspirational lyrics. Personally, I think the beat matters. It has to match the pace of my workout—something I can't listen to and sit still. At the very least, I want to know (or be familiar with) the song that's playing. When I go to Spinning class, for example, and I encounter music that's too slow for the tempo of the workout, or too obscure for me to "escape" by singing along with the song in my head, I am not a happy exerciser.

Recently, I've been thinking about song length. Most radio hits are around 3 minutes long—you'd have to listen to 10 songs to get through a 30-minute workout—make that 20 for a full hour! I don't know about you, but my mind perceives that as a long time. So I've started to incorporate some longer songs into my playlists. Think of it this way: Would you rather know you have to exercise through 20 songs or 12? I pick 12. So I've gathered some of my favorite 5-minute workout songs to share with you! By selecting any 6-12 of them, you'll have a 30-60 minute workout playlist that's upbeat and motivating. As each song passes, you'll know you've hit a 5-minute milestone in your workout. Stop watching the clock and start working out with these songs!

Posted 4/15/2009  6:56:39 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 195 comments

Read More

Pump It Up: 5 Hot Fitness Tracks for Your iPod

If you're like me, then you need a good soundtrack if you're going to work out. So I'm going to share with you some of the newest tunes on my workout playlist. Then I want to hear from YOU!

Here are five of my new favorite workout songs. Click on each link to listen to a preview (or purchase the mp3) at amazon.com.

Posted 2/18/2009  7:32:44 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 160 comments

Read More

100 Best Workout Songs of 2008: What's Your Favorite?

The January 2009 issue of Fitness magazine recently named their top 100 workout tunes of 2008. I was so excited to see this list, because I'm always looking for new songs to add to my iPod and use in my classes. Find out if your favorites made the list!

Fitness breaks the 100 songs into five categories, which each include 20 of the best songs for Spinning, running, walking, weight training and even yoga. I have to admit that I hadn't heard most of the songs on this list, but here are the ones that I do like from their list:

Posted 1/22/2009  6:30:15 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 209 comments

Read More

Workout Music: What's on Your iPod Right Now?

If you're like me, then you need a good soundtrack if you're going to work out. So I'm going to share with you some of the newest tunes on my workout playlist. Then I want to hear from YOU!

Posted 11/12/2008  8:29:59 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 117 comments

Read More

Pump It Up: Rockin' 45-Minute Cardio Playlist

Music goes a long way with motivating me to work out. I can't imagine running, teaching Spinning class or even lifting weights without some good tunes to keep my mood and energy levels high.

When I teach classes, music takes center stage. I take a lot of time to create a good playlist and craft a class that follows the speed, beat and mood of the music itself. And now, I'm going to share one of my new playlists with you, along with the great cardio workout that goes with it.

Posted 10/14/2008  11:26:04 AM By: Nicole Nichols : 75 comments

Read More