Coachella gals prepared for jams!

Recently Jenn shared the healthy choices she made while battling the heat at the Coachella music festival. It’s great having Fit Bottomed Girls in your midst to keep you from devouring every funnel cake in sight. Jenn was the responsible one who prevented our stomachs from catching a mean case of the bubble guts. That left me free to take notes on the music that would make for some excellent workout songs if you’re in the mood for some new tunes. (Now you know I’d be jamming, stop and take mental notes of what songs could go on my running playlist. FBG is permanently stamped in the brain, folks!)

Coachella 2012 Workout Music Favorites

(3:33) Creator, Santigold: Funny, but I used to be scared of Santigold. Something about her gold leotard and dance-spastic movements reminded me of Clockwork Orange— and that movie terrifies me. Lucky for me, I was fortunate enough to get dragged to her set on Saturday, and the chick was amazing. She was sans scary leotard and rocking some major fun beats. Irony: This song makes me want to run in spastic ways, which would surely scare others around me.

(2:13) Here We Go Again, The Hives: The Hives were so energetic and fun at Coachella 2012! They got up on that stage and rocked out. They had us gals jumping up and down like happy banshees. I love music that inspires cardio like this song does!

(3:13) Killa, Tune-Yards: I love Merrill Garbus with all my heart. She’s just so eclectic and new. I can guarantee you’ve never heard this sound before. If you’re looking for super-duper new, I recommend this band.

(4:45) Play Your Part, Girl Talk: Girl Talk consisted of one dude mixing awesome tunage on stage. Out of all the bands, I danced my hardest and longest to his sets. It’s impossible not to feel the happiness surging through your veins when his records start to spin. He combines 80s pop, lots of hip hop, rock and a bazillion tablespoons of awesome! Get ready for this music to move you. Even on your laziest day.

(3:12) No Pause, Girl Talk: Yeah, I did it. I put two of his mixes on this because he was just that fun. Mixes are always good for playlists anyway…especially if your body and mind are A.D.D. like me when it comes to working out. It’s really hard for me not to skip to the next song if my workout is getting harder. Keep the beat changing, and my body is happy.

(4:04) Midnight City, M83: One of the gals from our Coachella group deemed this song our 2012 Coachella anthem. Now it pretty much symbolizes all things energetic, fun and new. Only right I share it with y’all.

(3:11) Eyes Wide Open, Gotye: Everyone’s a fan of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.” It was so popular in fact, people kept screaming during his set, “Play the song we know!” The dude has mad skills though, so I thought I’d help the world by sharing even more of his coolness. I give thee to you with…eyes wide open.

Were you able to attend Coachella this year (or last?), or did you get your hands on some tasty tunes of folks you knew would be performing? I saw many bands, but my ears will always welcome more jams. Please share! —Tish

My girls Nicole (left) and FBG Tish (middle) and me, all wearing our hats!

Music festivals are fun. And Coachella in sunny Indio, Calif.? Well, it’s a hippie love-fest of good tunes, sunshine and interpretive-dance opportunities. Unlike when FBG Tish and I went last year, which was in the 90s, this year the temps soared past 100 degrees. In fact, on day three of the music festival, the high was 107. Do you guys know how hot that is? Even with the dry heat in the desert, it’s BLAZING. So, instead of just generally talking about how Coachella 2012 was (for the record, freakin’ awesome—and Tish will share a few of her fave bands and songs for working out next week), I thought I’d share a few lessons learned. You know, lessons that kept me from being an overheated, sunburned mess.

Health Lessons Learned from Coachella 2012

I still can't believe how delicious this tasted at 3 p.m. at Coachella.

1. Drink like a mo-fo. And by “drink,” I don’t mean alcohol. Actually, you’ll want to avoid alcohol like the plague, as it’ll dehydrate you and the name of the game is Stay Hydrated. I had a mimosa before going into the festival on day two, and pretty much regretted it as soon as I stepped on the sunny festival grounds. I found a rotation of drinking water, then a sports drink and the occasional coconut water to be best. Oh, and be sure to hydrate plenty before and after you’re at the music festival, too. If you can start and end your day hydrated, you’re much better off for that day and the next one.

2. Pack a bag like your mom would. Each of us brought a bag full of essentials: a bandanna (to get wet and place on head—a lifesaver), extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer, a sheet to sit on, camera, Coachella schedule, phone, ID, cash and copious amounts of sunscreen. But more on that in my next point…

3. Love the sun. But don’t be an idiot. Yes, it’s so hot that you’d rather not wear clothes at all, but we saw some badly sunburned people that just looked painful. Cover yourself with sunscreen—the spray kind worked best for me, as it wasn’t impossible to put on when you were sweating—wear a hat and grab shade when you can. A number of the bands who are damn good play off the main stages and under tents at Coachella. These tents not only allow you a more up-close-and-personal show, but also feel-good shade.

An organic tempeh and beet salad. Coachella loves the healthy foodies out there!

4. Eat healthy if you can. But just eat. Being that it’s Cali and all, I found a number of good, healthy options. There was gluten-free and vegan Indian food, tofu, freshly pressed organic juice, fresh fruit and even salads to eat. So you can eat pretty darn healthy when you’re there. Although, I’d say the major thing to remember is just to eat…something. When it’s that hot, it’s easy to skip a meal, which is exactly what you don’t want—passing out from the heat and lack of energy! So eat regularly!

5. Dance like no one is watching. For me, the best part of Coachella 2012 was listening to good music, gazing at the mountains and dancing like crazy. That’s part of what makes Coachella so endearing—just about everyone is dancing a fool. So don’t worry about what others might think of your dance skills (believe me, they’re probably too high to notice or are staring at the half-naked chick dancing a few rows back); move to the rhythm and enjoy it! Also, if you’re going to a music festival as a vacation like I did, consider this your cardio. I managed to squeeze in some push-ups and lunges at the hotel, but dancing and walking the festival grounds was pretty much my activity for three days!

Anyone else go to Coachella 2012? Any other music festivals? What tips would you add to my list? —Jenn

Do the 70s make you an exercising queen? Credit: janganita

In what was a looong overdue post, FBG Tish recently created an official 80s music playlist to help you power through your next workout with a lot of wicked beats, synthesizers and questionable fashion choices. As I love so many songs from the 80s, especially when running and lifting weights, it got me thinking: Does one decade reign supreme when it comes to workout music? So, obviously, we’re putting it to a poll! Because that’s a highly scientific way to determine an answer, of course.

Can’t see the poll? Click here to tell us what your favorite decade is for workout tunes! 

Can’t pick a favorite decade? Or are you surprised by your answer based on your usual music tastes? (I think the 90s might take a close second for me, even though my iPod is filled with the 60s and 70s!) Tell us about it in the comments! —Jenn

Embrace your inner 80s workout music superstar! Credit by: Calmenda

Can you believe the FBGs have never, not once, dished on their favorite 80s workout music? The years we were all born? I know! I was shocked, too. I obviously had to rectify the situation. There’s just something FBG-tastic about 80s music. I envision Sarah Jessica Parker in Girls Just Wanna Have Fun or Jane Fonda in her naughty minx workout gear. Lots of leotards and movement…some Richard Simmons and neon sweat bands. You see why this was a mandatory post?

Exercise was the new hotness in the 80s. Everyone was slipping on the leg warmers and heading to aerobics classes. I love most everything from that decade! (I could have done without the big bangs glued up with hairspray though.) And that love includes the music. The question isn’t what tunes to choose, but what music to edit out. I could geek on and on about all that totally awesome 80s workout music! I need neon. I need to get physical with Olivia Newton John. I need the 80s!

Workout Playlist: Sweatin’ to the 80s

1. (4:39) Let’s Go Crazy, Prince: Prince is everyone’s 80s boo. He was and still is the king of inspirational songs that make you wanna do things…like work out. Warm up with this one to get your 80s workout music started!

2. (3:58) Borderline, Madonna: Just pretend that “borderline” is the end of your workout and keep pushing yourself.

3. (3:25) Hungry Like the Wolf, Duran Duran: I love serenading my workouts. Whenever this bad boy comes on, I imagine I’m hungry for some bad-arse push-ups. I suggest you choose what your inner wolf wants to destroy. It’s visceral, but it works!

4. (3:57) The Goodies ‘R’ Good Enough, Cyndi Lauper: Remember how Brad was always working out in the beginning of The Goonies? It was like Cyndi and the director got together and made the connection so that one day the FBGs could have a solid reason for throwing in some nostalgic perfection.

5. (3:15) Faith, George Michael: This song belongs in the middle of your workout; right when you think you can’t go on. Blast this one and keep the faith that you, too, can have cute George Michael-like buns.

6. (3:39) Sweet Dreams, Eurthymics: Did you ever watch Saber on So You Think You Can Dance?! She rocked out this song and you can to.

7. (3:53) I’m So Excited, The Pointer Sisters: This is the quintessential 80s song of enthusiasm. I promise your levels of excitement for working out will increase tenfold.

8. (5:01) Mony Mony, Billy Idol: The 80s just wouldn’t be the 80s without Billy. He encourages you to say “yeah” and “yeah” some more as you work it out.

9. (3:55) Move It to the Rhythm, Technotronic: Before “Pump Up the Jam,” there was “Move It to the Rhythm”—a song committed to telling you what to do and how to do it.

10. (3:49) I Can’t Wait, Nu Shooz: Oh the synthesizers, do behave! Are you noticing a trend in positive messages? You just can’t go wrong with approaching your daily workout with some gusto.

11. (3:46) Take on Me, Aha: Loved this song at four years old; still love it at 30! Don’t know if you remember the awesome music video, but they’re running from the bad guys drawn by a pencil. Just imagine running with that hotty patotty guy by your side. Cute incentives definitely help keep you moving.

12. (4:20) All Night Long, Lionel Richie: If you need a positive message to motivate you during an endurance workout, possibly a really long run, then Lionel is your man.

13. (4:22) Let’s Hear It For the Boy, Deniece Williams: I had to save the best for last. I LOVED me some Deniece Williams as a kid. This song’s full of yummy energy that’s bound to get you to kick up the speed.

14. (4:36) How Will I Know, Whitney Houston: This song’s beat is great for an uplifting cool down. I personally like to shake my head like Whitney did in that glorious video for a bit. (Oh, how we miss Whitney!) Stretch it out and feel good.

Love 80s workout music, too? What would you add to this 80s playlist? Any songs you forgot about that you’ll be adding? —Tish

There's an art to making the perfect workout playlist. Credit: englishsnow

You know that scene in High Fidelity where John Cusack is touting the importance of the perfectly crafted mix tape? A tape that has to kick off with a killer track to grab attention, then take it up a notch, then cool it off a notch?

Sure, that guy was creating a playlist to woo a girl (and most of us no longer listen to cassettes), but he was on to something. Little did he know he was also giving us words of wisdom on how to best create a set of tunes for a high-energy workout. Below are the seven main components of any perfect workout playlist, no matter the musical genre. (In fact, I find that the more eclectic the playlist, the more exciting—and surprising—it can be!)

Follow these guidelines to craft the perfect workout playlist before your next workout, and you’re sure to stay engaged and pumped the entire time. After all, music—especially the right music—can make working out more fun! Continue reading… —Jenn

Does your workout playlist have you moving like the King of Pop? Credit: lululemon athletica

We bared our gym bags for you, then our pantries and, just recently, we spilled the contents of our workout playlists—no editing of guilty pleasure songs allowed. While our playlists tend to be an eclectic mix of this, that and darn near everything in between, we want to know what the most popular type of music on your workout playlist is. Does country get you pounding the weights? Rock get you rocking those runs? Pop perk you up on the elliptical? Hip-hop make you move and groove? Truthfully, tell us!

Can’t see the poll? Click here to tell us about your workout playlist. 

And truth be told, if you were to judge my personality by my workout playlist, you would think I’m a sexed-out, attention-grabbing wanna-be pop star who occasionally dresses like a hipster and writes long journal entries about being totally deep. Hmmm. Like there’s any truth to that…pssh!

How about you? What’s the most popular type of music on your workout playlist and what does it say about you? —Jenn

Yes, my running list is actually titled "Run Foo."

All of the FBGs swear by high-energy tunes to make their workouts the best they can be. So today’s Question of the Week is all about what’s on the iPod. And no editing or censoring allowed…

I’ve been working out with a trainer Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, power-lifting and working muscles that never thought they could be bad-ass. With that being said, Tuesdays and Thursdays got lonely, so Mr. Trainer decided I should get back into my cardio groove…thus a new playlist was born! I run with my Nike + GPS on my iPhone, so I now rock that instead of my iPod on my arm. What this means for you? I once had 8 hours of music on my marathon-training playlist (just so I wouldn’t get bored). Now I have 11 hours. Makes a playlist even more fun, don’t ya think?

What’s on Tish’s Running Workout Playlist

1. (32:07) Quickly Weekend Mix, DJ X-Cell. I jacked this bad boy from the boyfriend. He teaches spin, so he has oodles of mixes to share with the world. I love this long mix solely for its hip-hop beats. Sometimes a girl just needs a strong beat on a run. For those days, I listen to Lil John scream “Shot! Shot! Shot! Shot!” and then Jon Bon Jovi steps in with a little “Shot through the heart!” It’s beautiful. My body needs that kind of jolt when I’m out for a run.

2. (3:26) 212, Azealia Banks featuring Lazy Jay. You don’t know how happy Jenn made me when I saw this song on her playlist. Yes, Azealia is a naughty minx, but she’s far from Lil Kim. Her lyrics are gangster and brilliant. It took me awhile to warm to the Harlem native, but you try listening and not getting that beat and hook stuck in your head.

3. (3:17) Sugarfoot, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. My runs need some funky soul. That is all. The sister-girl in me demands it. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears were a Coachella 2011 find. Once I went Honeybear, I never went back.

4. (4:12) Dog Days Are Over, Florence + The Machine. It’s been played out I know, but I love the lyrics. Reminds me of “dog days” in college…workouts I never once did, but boy did I admire the bad asses who would wake up butt-crack early and head out to the stadium to get their bottom-muscle’s souls handed over to them on the pavement.

5. (4:25) Dancing On My Own, Robyn. Coachella 2011 kind of left its mark, I’m starting to gather. Robyn was there…rocking it out in a tent. I change the lyrics of this song to “running on my own,” and it totally works. I do a lot of weird things when I run. This is pretty tame, actually.

6. (3:58) I Need, Maverick Sabre. Oh, is this a sexy good running song! It starts with him needing sunshine and blue skies—all things needed for an amazing run.

7. (2:37) Raggamuffin, Selah Sue. Selah Sue is my new favorite voice. She’s edgy, raw and fun. I like women with something biting they want to get off their chest. Reminds me of thorns in my own side. And when I think of the thorns, my running is pushed to new levels. How that happens I don’t know, but whatever works!

8. (4:23) Send Me On My Way, Rusted Root. I’ve loved this song for years. It’s the theme song for a kid’s movie I live for called Matilda. She’s a kick-butt little girl who loves to learn. Reminds me of happy things. Good for the endorphins that send me on my way!

9. (4:14) Fat Bottomed Girls, Queen. We used this song (of course!) for the AT&T event we hosted a while back, and ever since then, I’ve just found it popping up in all of my playlists. When Freddie Mercury gets grimy and tiger-like, I put up the hoodie, put my head down and get grimy with the pavement.

10. (4:00) Gangsta, Tune-Yards. So, I should rename this playlist from “Run Foo” to “Gangsta Running.” I like sassy songs, and this sassy tune has “gangsta” written all over it. (Helps that it also appears in the lyrics.) Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

I’m proud of me for managing to add some new flavor in the running-workout-playlist mix. I swear when I’m in my car, I listen to the same two albums over and over again. When I fall in love with a song or album, it takes an act of God to knock it out of my rotation.

Do you have any new workout tunes, or do you find yourself remaining loyal to certain running jams? —Tish

What's on my workout playlist? I thought you'd never ask! Credit: Yeray Hernández

All of the FBGs swear by high-energy tunes to make their workouts the best they can be. So today’s Question of the Week is all about what’s on the iPod. And no editing or censoring allowed…

Although most of my workouts these days are done at The Fit Pit, I still manage to get in a run or two a week. And those runs are, of course, powered by good tunes. (Well, at least I think they’re good.) So, without further ado, here are the 10 most-listened to songs on my current workout playlist…

What’s on Jenn’s Running Workout Playlist

1. (4:15) Ready to Start, Arcade Fire. This is the perfect warm-up song. And after seeing them at Coachella, every time I hear those beats, it reminds me of that great trip!

2. (3:26) 212, Azealia Banks featuring Lazy Jay. Okay, so this song might be the dirtiest of all songs in the History of Songs, but holy crap if it doesn’t get in your head and make you want to move. Just try not to sing along outside or you might get some looks. Or get arrested for sexual harassment.

3. (4:56) Yummy, Gwen Stefani. Pretty sure I always have at least one or two Gwen or No Doubt songs on any workout playlist at any given time. My favorite track of late though? “Yummy.” So fun to sing along to. And it has a great beat for running.

4. (3:31) Burning Down the House, Tom Jones and The Cardigans. Yes, you read that right. Tom Jones and The Cardigans doing “Burning Down the House.” Need I say more? I thought not.

5. (4:44) Meet Me Halfway, The Black Eyed Peas. You would think that I would be sick of this song by now, but nope. I’m still jamming to it, and, to be honest, most of this album. I love the speed for a nice, steady run.

6. (7:17) 1990 Medley Mix, Paula Abdul. A full 7 minutes of the best Paula songs from the Forever Your Girl album but remixed with a wicked (circa 1990) dance beat. I know—it is too awesome for words. And another reason we want the #PleasePaula campaign to work.

7. (3:19) Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO. Wait. How did that get on there? *Sheepish grin.*

8. (3:34) Cruel, St. Vincent. So this one isn’t as high energy as what I usually run to, but it still has a great steady beat to set your pace with, and, well, I just really, really like it.

9. (3:22) Give Me All Your Luvin’, Madonna featuring Nicki Minjah and M.I.A. This song reminds me of summer, and since warmer weather can’t come fast enough, it’s pretty much a new staple in my running workout playlist.

10. (4:04) Somebody That I Used to Know, Gotye featuring Kimbra. This song seems to be everywhere these days, and I can’t get enough of it. Not super high-energy, but it’s high emotion and my brain gets totally wrapped up in the story of the song. Plus, I’m a suck for a duet. Perfect as a cool down.

Yeah, so I’m not overly surprised that there are some guilty pleasures on there. You know how I like my Gwen and Paula! How similar or dissimilar is your workout playlist? —Jenn

Just in case your iPod's running playlist could use a few new tunes, we have 'em! Credit: Perfecto Insecto

We’ve already done a whole songs-about-running workout playlist, but we thought it was high time we put together a list of new tunes to help you power through those runs both long and short. Partially inspired by this little device that helps you to determine your “Fit Song” and partially needed by me as my running playlist is getting S-T-A-L-E, we recently tapped the music-loving brains of our pals on Facebook and Twitter for their fave tracks from their running playlists. And, guys, they did not disappoint. High-energy, fun and slightly off-the-beaten path, if you know all of these songs, you’re certainly cooler than me.

10 New Songs to Reinvigorate Your Running Playlist

1. (4:48) T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever), will.i.am: If you need a rap beat to get your run going, this song is it. Good call, Melissa!
2. (3:44) Drumming Song, Florence + The Machine: If you like your running playlist with a side of dark and mysterious, download this Florence + Machine track. Caitlin swears by it!
3. (3:44) Go, Common: Like @lizyandall says, it’s hard not to go when Common is telling you to in this song!
4. (3:17) Watch Me Shine, Joanna Pacitti: Found on the Legally Blonde soundtrack, Janine can’t get enough of this song during runs. Believe us, if you like Britney, you’ll dig this one.
5. (2:57) Egg Man, The Beastie Boys: Boyz, it just don’t get much funkier than this song, which is a favorite of @katiechalmers1. Jam to it during your next run!
6. (3:19) Levels, Avicii: If techno is more of your running playlist speed, try this one from Avicii. @UrbanFitClubs calls it “bouncy, happy music!”
7. (3:44) End of Time, Beyonce: This song gets Renisha really pumped. And you know what? It gets us pumped to run, too!
8. (4:22) Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO: Yes, this song is everywhere lately, but it really is good for getting your legs to run faster, Tina says. When they say “shake that” just pretend they’re saying “sprint that!”
9. (2:49) Lobsterdust–Roll It (Salt-N-Pepa vs. Yeah Yeah Yeahs vs. A-Trak), Best of Bootie 2011: You know we had to include a mash-up—and a booty one at that, right? And Emily had a great one for running. In fact, go ahead and just get the whole dang album. It’s just that good.
10. (6:19) Monster, Kanye West: So glad I’m not the only one running her little heart out to this track recently. Courtney is, too!

What new songs are on your running playlist? Which ones really pump you up? —Jenn

Was Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" the best workout song of 2011? Credit: CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK

Earlier this week, we rounded up what we thought were the best workout songs of 2011 and put them into a killer playlist. But we’d like to take it a bit further this year and choose the best workout song of 2011. We’re having a really hard time deciding, so help us choose the best of the best! Which one of the below tracks got you moving, grooving and working out like a Fit Bottomed Girl in 2011?

Can’t see the poll? Click here to vote on your favorite workout song of 2011. 

Can’t wait to see what you guys choose. Here’s to another great year of workout tunes in 2012! —Jenn