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

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

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

Introducing the best workout songs of 2011! Credit: Rob Ellis'

Oh, girlies, it was a great year for workout music. From hip-hop tracks to pop to some—let’s be honest—hilarity (I’m talking about you, LMFAO), along with your suggestions from Facebook and Twitter, we’ve rounded up a playlist of the best workout songs of 2011. Running about 40 minutes long, it’s perfect for just about any workout you love. Will 2012 stack up? We certainly hope so!

Best Workout Songs of 2011

1. (2:50) Who’s that Chick, David Guetta featuring Rihanna: Start your workout off with a dance beat in this fun track that’s sure to get you warmed up and fired up! Who’s that chick? You’re that chick!
2. (3:21) Moves Like Jagger, Maroon Five featuring Christina Aguilera: We’ve been obsessed with this song since it came out in 2011. It’s just the right mix of fun, funky and sexy.
3. (4:44) On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull: Oh, J-Lo we’re so happy you’re back on the workout-music block! And “On the Floor”? Seriously, one of your finest. Makes us want to get on the floor—the workout floor that is!
4. (3:23) Dynamite, Taio Cruz: Yeah, we throw our hands up in the air sometimes, too! This song truly is—wait for it—dynamite for workouts. Upbeat with a nice message to celebrate life, it’s one that will help you to pick up the pace!
5. (3:50) E.T., Katy Perry featuring Kanye West: Time to go to outer space! This extra-terrestrial song is extra good for workouts, making it one of the best songs of 2011!
6. (3:19) Super Bass, Nicki Minaj: If you need to slow things down a bit, but not too much, this song is perfect. Whether it’s for a walk, recovery during interval work or even some upbeat yoga, Nicki Minaj knows what’s up. We expect more great workout songs from her in 2012!
7. (4:20) Born This Way, Lady Gaga: The anthem of monsters everywhere, this Gaga track is Madonna’s “Express Yourself” for 2011. We love. Work out the way you were born to—like a Fit Bottomed Girl!
8. (3:35) We Found Love, Rihanna: This workout song may start out slow, but don’t let it fool you. With a techno thumpin’ beat, it’s great for lifting weights or as a recovery song during intervals.
9. (3:58) Till the World Ends, Britney Spears: Oh, Brit, Brit! How we love thee. And while you may dance till the world ends, we’ll be working out till the world ends with this one!
10. (3:19) Sexy and I Know It, LMFAO: You all knew we had to include “Sexy and I Know It,” right? It’s so obvious. And oh-so hilarious. Sure to pump up any workout!
11. (4:27) Love on Top, Beyoncé: Cool it on down with this 2011 Beyoncé track that feels a bit like a throwback to Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. You know, also known as “awesome.”

What do you think was the best workout song of 2011? Tell us in the comments! —Jenn

With these motivational workout songs, yes, we can do it! Credit: DonkeyHotey

Oh, the wonder drug otherwise known as good ol’ fashioned motivational workout songs. It’s a beautiful thing. There’s a reason that clever Nike put a “power song” on its Nike + GPS App—that ish works! Some day researchers will gather in a tiny room and figure out what it is about hearing positive messages that pushes us to forget that we’ve just decided we can’t possibly go on…that we’ll die if we have to take one more step or swing one more kettlebell.  Then that one song comes drifting in and, like the super-human comic-book character Venom, adrenaline comes pouring in and we’re on FIYA!  That motivational workout song gets us every time.

We recently compiled the best motivational workout songs for a killer sweat session, no matter if you add all of the songs (for an almost hour-long workout!) or just a few good ol’ fashioned faves. Enjoy—and get ready to be powered up!

A Motivational Workout Songs Playlist

1. Eye of the Tiger, Survivor: I know, I know. This is everyone’s go-to motivational workout song, but why fix it if it ain’t broken? If Rocky could power up for the ring using this song, then it’s good enough for us!
2. Lose Yourself, Eminem: They say there’s a point in working out where you really can lose yourself in the moment and go into the ultimate zone. The zone seems kind of bad-ass, so anything that glorifies that kind of intensity works for me.
3. Let’s Get it Started, Black Eyed Peas: And running, running! The Black Eyed Peas are telling you to run! They’re with you! If that doesn’t give you a little squirt of “You can do it!” then I don’t know what will.
4. Holding Out for a Hero, Bonnie Tyler: The ultimate montage song can be your ultimate-training song. This song screams for you to do your best. We’ll ignore the fact that she keeps clamoring on about a dude. You’re the hero/shero that’s racing on the thunder and rising with the heat.
5. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, Bachman-Turner Overdrive: This song is for the fools who thought you were wrapping your workout up. When you go in for that extra sweat, make sure you’re singing it loud and proud…they really haven’t seen nothing yet!
6. Proud Mary, Tina Turner: This woman’s got energy to boot. Whenever it comes on you automatically want to move your body as fast as it will go. Now that’s my kind of motivation!
7. Break My Stride, Matthew Wilder: Maybe your workout motivation comes from getting tough on the competition. Don’t let ’em hold you down! You’ve-got-to-keep-on-MOVING!
8. Fighter, Christina Aguilera: This is up there in the workout-anthem range if you ask me. I don’t know if it’s her booming voice or the gangsta lyrics…whatever it is, it works.
9. Come on Eileen, Dexy’s Midnight Runners: You don’t have to be named Eileen to dig this song. I love how there’s a moment where you can slow down and catch your breath, and then those darn Midnight Runners go speed the song up with awesome energy, forcing you to give that last lap all you’ve got.
10. Lose Control, Missy Elliott: Losing control (see song No. 2) and going buck-buck during your workout works! Feel the endorphins, and let them do with you what they will.
11. We are the Champions, Queen: A Queen song had to make the cut. Pretty soon it’ll be an FBG Golden Rule. You don’t have to be at the end of your workout to listen to this bad boy. The minute you make the decision to move, you’ve won. See how easy that was?
12. Just Keep Swimming, Dori from Finding Nemo: Note: This is a personal workout motivational song. FBG Jenn and I sang this dang song for at least half of our marathon race, and it worked! Just keep going/swimming/running…Gotta love those darn Disney songs that just get lodged in your head—at least the ones with messages that tell you to keep on pushing forward.
13. Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves: I go bat-shat when this song comes on. I think if you can start to associate working out with walking on sunshine, then you’ve done a very good thing, fitties. Don’t it feel good?!
14. I’m so Excited, The Pointer Sisters: It’s hard not to be excited when this one comes on. So, come on, get excited!
15. Move if You Wanna, Mims: This song has just enough gangster charm to get you off the couch and moving with swag. If anyone asks what got you to start moving, you can say that darling rapper Mims did. Instant cool points.

Do you have a motivational workout song that pushes you to the brink of awesome? Music-hungry ears would like to know! —Tish

A musical ode to the fit booty, in all shapes and sizes! Credit: digitizedchaos

How we’ve had this blog for three years and never done a playlist that pays homage to the healthy booty is beyond me. But here—finally!—it is. Fire this 50-minute booty playlist up for your next workout to celebrate the healthy junk in the trunk that you are rocking! And remember, fit bottoms come in all shapes and sizes. So love what your mama gave you, ladies!

A Booty Songs Playlist

1. Ms. New Booty, Bubba Sparxxx: Booty, booty, booty, booty rockin’ everywhere! Need we say more? I think not.
2. Rump Shaker, Wrex N Effect: Welcome to 1992. Now just shake (and celebrate) that healthy rump!
3. Back That Thang Up, Juvenile: We particularly recommend this song when doing backwards lunges. It’s perf.
4. My Humps, The Black Eyed Peas: Paying homage to the humps in both the front and the back, you can’t go wrong with this booty-lovin’ song.
5. Shake Ya Tailfeather, P. Diddy featuring Nelly: Just try not to wiggle your bum when this one is on. Darn. Near. Impossible. Super good on a run!
6. Booty City, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears: Believe us, Booty City is a place you want to visit during your next workout.
7. Shake Your Booty, Public Enemy: Oh Flavor Flav, you are so wise when it comes to booty. Shake it!
8. Bootylicious, Destiny’s Child: Be proud of those curves. A great song for intervals, when you need a high energy push to get you through!
9. Poison, Bell Biv DeVoe: While we tend to disagree with Bell Biv DeVoe’s advice to never trust a big butt and a smile, it just wouldn’t be a booty playlist without it.
10. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty, KC and the Sunshine Band: Get your disco on with this booty-loving track. It’s an oldie but a goodie!
11. Baby Got Back, Sir Mix-a-Lot: OMG, Becky, look at her butt. It’s just so…FIT. The anthem of butts everywhere, this song is great for cardio. And for practicing your rap skillz.
12. Fat Bottomed Girls, Queen: We saved the best—and most appropriate—for last. Sing the new lyrics with us now: “Fit Bottomed Girls make the workout world go round!” Now get on your bikes and ride!

Here’s to keeping a lid on the junk in the trunk (but not getting rid of it)! —Jenn

New workout songs, woot! Credit: carolyn.will

I love music. And, for me, music is one of the best parts of working out. Not only does it give me a listening-outlet for my guiltiest of music pleasures, but it gets me moving, making workouts more fun and therefore more effective. (When it’s fun, the time just flies by!) In fact, recent studies have found that music can make workouts feel easier and actually increase endurance by as much as 15 percent. Fifteen percent!

Because even the most exciting workout playlist can get stale every now and again, we thought we’d share a few tracks that are currently playing on our iPods. Sometimes a few new workout song or two is all you need to spice things up and—quite literally—get to jammin’ the next time you get your fitness on!

The Best New Workout Songs: August 2011

1. Super Bass, Nicki Minaj. Yeah, so Nicki Minaj is getting a lot of press today for a wardrobe malfunction on GMA, but we’re really digging her tunes—not the headlines. We loved her on Kanye’s album, and this song is the perfect smooth, steady state song for cardio!

2. I Wanna Go, Britney Spears. You know we’d be listening to Brit-Brit’s new single, right? Flirty, sassy and fun, it’s everything you want a workout (and Britney!) song to be.

3. On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull. Yes, this song has been out for a few months, but it still pumps us up during intervals to go just a little bit harder and a little bit faster!

4. Good Life, OneRepublic. Want to end your workout feeling extra good? Play this OneRepublic track that is guaranteed to leave your sweat-session with a smile on your face and a good feeling in your heart. Corny, but true.

5. Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People. We couldn’t do just all pop, now could we? This track is upbeat, energizing and makes you want to whistle along. Get pumped up with it!

So, those are the best new workout songs we’ve been jamming to…what have you recently added to your workout playlist? Tell us about it! —Jenn