Tag: workout songs

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60+ Halloween Workout Songs—From My 10 Years as a Trainer

Halloween Workout Songs and Playlist

Fitness instructors love Halloween — it’s one of the most common themed classes all year. But, let’s be honest, if I have to hear Monster Mash one more time, I’m going to rip my ears off. Most of the traditional Halloween workout songs are cheesy and overplayed. So, it’s up to us instructors to add a twist to the traditional Halloween playlist, so participants (and instructors alike!) aren’t moaning and groaning like goblins.

Here are a few ideas to mix up your Halloween workout songs and playlist.

Halloween Workout Songs Playlist #1: I Want Candy

As a kid, the best part about Halloween was all the candy. Lucky for us, there are so many good songs out there about that sugary or chocolatey goodness. Let your participants know that your Halloween playlist is going to be sweet this year, and then let your workout songs do the talking.

Here are a few ideas:

  1. I Want Candy, Bow Wow Wow
  2. Sugar, Maroon 5
  3. In My Pocket, Mandy Moore
  4. Birthday Cake, Rihanna
  5. Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
  6. Chocolate, Big Boi feat. Troze
  7. Honey, I’m Good, Andy Grammer
  8. Candyman, Christina Aguilera
  9. Sweet Nothing, Calvin Harris feat. Florence Welch
  10. Honey, I’m Home, Shania Twain
  11. Sweetness, Jimmy Eat World
  12. Sweet But Psycho, Ava Max
  13. I Want Candy, Aaron Carter
  14. Sugar, We’re Goin Down, Fall Out Boy
  15. Cherry Pie, Warrant
  16. Birthday Cake, Rihanna
  17. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch), Four Tops
  18. Tootsie Roll, 69 Boyz
  19. Sucker, Jonas Brothers
  20. Pour Some Sugar On Me, Def Leppard [Cool Down]

Bonus! I put a bunch of these songs into a killer candy-themed indoor cycling routine! Enjoy it here. 

Halloween Workout Songs Playlist #2: Cool Costumes

As an adult, Halloween is all about the costumes. Feel free to broaden the playlist a bit to encompass anything related to dressing up.

Here are a few ideas:

  1. Buttons, by Pussycat Dolls
  2. Raspberry Beret, by Prince
  3. Dude, Looks Like a Lady, by Aerosmith
  4. Lace and Leather, by Britney Spears
  5. Sharp Dressed Man, by ZZ Top
  6. Wannabe, by Spice Girls
  7. Circus, by Britney Spears

Halloween Workout Songs Playlist #3: Spooky or Villain Vibes

This one is another one of my favorite workout song playlists for Halloween. Honestly, I made so many good ones! But, this has THE BEST spooky vibes. If you want to turn Rihanna’s, “Disturbia,” into a full workout playlist, this will be your jam. Give it a listen and let me know what you think!

  1. “Villain,” Bella Poarch
  2. “I’m in Love With a Monster,” Fifth Harmony
  3. “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark,” Fall Out Boy
  4. “W.I.T.C.H.,” Devon Cole
  5. “Bring Me To Life,” Evanescence
  6. “bad guy,” Billie Eilish
  7. “Disturbia,” Rihanna
  8. “Teeth,” 5 Seconds of Summer
  9. “Ghostbusters (I’m Not Afraid),” Fall Out Boy, Missy Elliott
  10. “Play with Fire (feat. Yacht Money),” Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
  11. “Claws,” Kim Petras
  12. “Super Freak,” Rick James
  13. “Graveyard,” Halsey
  14. “Scaredy Cat,” DPR IAN
  15. “Bones,” Imagine Dragons
  16. “Bite Me,” Avril Lavigne
  17. “Unholy (feat. Kim Petras),” Sam Smith, Kim Petras

Bonus! I put a bunch of these songs into a fun spooky-themed indoor cycling routine! Enjoy it here. 

Halloween Workout Songs Playlist #4: Lil Boo Theme

For Halloween 2023, I was OBSESSED with the song, “Lil Boo Thing,” by Paul Russell. I devoted an entire indoor cycling routine and playlist to it. Every song has “boo” or “boo-” in it. It’s SO GOOD year round, but especially during Halloween. Here are the songs:

  1. “Lil Boo Thang,” Paul Russell
  2. “BOOMBAYAH,” BLACKPINK
  3. “Ms. New Booty – Radio Edit,” Bubba Sparxxx
  4. “Boom Boom Pow,” Black Eyed Peas
  5. “Booty,” Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azalea
  6. “Boots On,” Randy Houser
  7. “Low (feat. T-Pain),” Flo Rida, T-Pain
  8. “Bootylicious,” Rihanna
  9. “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!,” Vengaboys
  10. “Boots,” Jessie James Decker
  11. “Booty Wurk (One Cheek at a Time),” T-Pain, Joey Galaxy
  12. “Super Bass,” Nicki Minaj
  13. “BOOM,” Tiesto, Sevenn, Gucci Mane
  14. “My Boo,” USHER, Alicia Keys

Bonus! I put a bunch of these songs into a fun boo-themed indoor cycling routine and playlist. Enjoy it here. 

More Halloween Workout Songs and Playlists

Looking for more Halloween songs and playlists? Join my free indoor cycling weekly routine newsletter. I share a free indoor cycling routine and playlist every week.


Feel free to combine these or choose a couple Halloween workouts songs to start with and then make it your own. While participants will appreciate you mixing up the music, they mostly just want to hear some good tunes that makes them want to work out. So, feel free to loosely interpret the theme you choose, and pick music that inspires you.

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The Best Motivational Workout Songs & Prompts to Push Yourself Harder

Motivational Workout Songs

I see you looking for motivational workout songs. You’re trying to find something that is going to inspire you to put on your fitness clothes and get moving. Well, the time is now. Go put on that spandex. I’ll wait. When you’re ready, come back and follow one of my seven exercise playlists and motivational prompts below. 

These prompts will help you take your workout from average to exceptional. You’re already halfway there—finding motivational workout songs is a huge piece of getting inspired. The second half is to tap into your mental toughness. You’re fully capable of pushing yourself to do your best with this workout, and these prompts will help you. 

How does it work? 

Simple. Read the prompt and take a moment to think about how you can apply it to your workout. Then, throughout the exercises, come back to the prompt and use it as motivation to increase your intensity level. 

Enjoy! 

Playlist #1: Traditional Motivational Workout Songs

You can find these songs all across the internet, but for good reason: they work. These are songs meant to inspire you to work harder, lift heavier, and run farther. 

Prompt: What’s your fitness mantra? 

A mantra is a word or phrase you can easily repeat to help you concentrate and focus your mind. Think of a simple mantra related to your fitness goal(s) that you can repeat to yourself throughout your workout to help you work harder towards achieving your goals. 

Some examples: 

  • One word: faster
  • Longer than yesterday
  • My best
  • A long, happy life 
  • Booty, booty, booty rockin’ everywhere (Can a mantra also be a song lyric??) 

The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #1

  1. “Lose Yourself,” Eminem
  2. “Till I Collapse,” Eminem, Nate Dogg
  3. “Love Myself,” Hailee Steinfeld
  4. “Messiah – Dirty South Remix,” I See MONSTAS, Dirty South
  5. “Thunder,” Imagine Dragons
  6. “Jungle,” X Ambassadors, Jamie N Commons
  7. “The Champion,” Carrie Underwood, Ludacris
  8. “Out Here Grindin’,” DJ Khaled
  9. “Numb / Encore,” JAY-Z, Linkin Park
  10. “Turn Down for What,” DJ Snake, Lil Jon
  11. “She’s Kinda Hot,” 5 Seconds of Summer
  12. “Sweat – Remix,” Snoop Dogg, David Guetta
  13. “Remember the Name,” Fort Minor, Styles of Beyond
  14. “Lose My Breath,” Destiny’s Child
  15. “Way Down We Go,” KALEO
  16. “Go Hard or Go Home,” Wiz Khalifa, Iggy Azalea
  17. “You Shook Me All Night Long,” AC/DC
  18. “Shots,” LMFAO, Lil Jon
  19. “The Other Side,” Jason Derulo
  20. “Whatever It Takes,” Imagine Dragons
  21. “We Are the Champions

Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here: 

Playlist #2: Motivational Workout Songs That Build Community

If these past few years have taught me anything, it’s that community is so critical to our well being and happiness. For most of us, community is something that we need to work hard to build each and every day—it doesn’t come easily. This is a great prompt for helping build your own sense of community and give back to the greater good in a small way. 

Prompt: Dedicate your workout to someone else. 

Think about the folks in your life that may need some good energy sent their way. Maybe it’s someone that’s struggling with an illness, a challenging job, or a difficult relationship. Maybe it’s a friend that you have been meaning to text and just haven’t found the time—but, dang it, you hope they’re crushing life. 

Pick one person and mentally dedicate your workout to them. Maybe they don’t have the time to workout, but you can workout for them. You can give it your all in your workout as a way to send positive vibes, healing energy, and well wishes their way. 

The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #2

  1. “Came Here for Love,” Sigala, Ella Eyre
  2. “Happier,” Marshmello, Bastille
  3. “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Lenny Kravitz
  4. “Mama,” Jonas Blue, William Singe
  5. “Rise Up,” Andra Day
  6. “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” Daryl Hall & John Oates
  7. “Don’t Let Me Down,” The Chainsmokers, Daya
  8. “I’ll Be There for You,” The Rembrandts
  9. “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses
  10. “Never Let You Go,” Third Eye Blind
  11. “Worth It,” Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink
  12. “I Want You,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
  13. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” Whitney Houston 
  14. “Buy My Mom a House,” Carolina Rial
  15. “Me & U,” Cassie
  16. “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” Drake, Majid Jordan
  17. “Feels Like Home,” Sigala, Fuse ODG, Sean Paul, Kent Jones
  18. “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” Bon Jovi, Jennifer Nettles
  19. “Home,” Phillip Phillips
  20. “Got My Mind Set On You,” George Harrison
  21. “Together Again,” Janet Jackson
  22. “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Captain & Tennille
  23. “We are Family,” Sister Sledge
  24. “Family Affair,” Mary J. Blige
  25. “Better Together,” Jack Johnson
  26. “Lean on Me,” Bill Withers
  27. “Come Together,” The Beatles
  28. “We’re All In This Together,” High School Musical Cast, Disney
  29. “I Won’t Give Up,” Jason Mraz
  30. “A Thousand Miles,” Vanessa Carlton
  31. “You Are Not Alone,” Michael Jackson
  32. “She Will Be Loved,” Maroon 5 
  33. “Cheetah Sisters,” The Cheetah Girls
  34. “I’ll Be Missing You,” Diddy, Faith Evans, 112

Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here: 

Playlist #3: Motivational Workout Songs Inspired By Your Haters

I have some of my best workouts when I channel my anger into my exercises. We’ve all had moments where we were overlooked for a job or opportunity, ignored by someone we admire, or felt like we didn’t quite get what we deserved. Those are great moments to use for motivation when you work out. 

Prompt: What past rejection or failure can you use for today’s motivation? 

Here’s one of mine: at my big girl job (read: not fitness related), I used to work for a company that insisted that I did not deserve a promotion no matter how hard I worked or what my results showed. Fast forward two years, I’m now even a step above that desired promotion and leading a small team. 

I love to use that initial rejection as motivation. Channeling that memory makes me work harder in my workout—and, frankly, in my life. 

Find a memory that really grinds your gears and use it as motivation to push yourself harder. 

The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #3

  1. “Sk8er Boi,” Avril Lavigne
  2. “So What,” P!nk
  3. “Thnks fr th Mmrs,” Fall Out Boy
  4. “Gives You Hell,” The All-American Rejects
  5. “I Hate Everything About You,” Three Days Grace
  6. “Here I Go Again,” Whitesnake
  7. “My Own Worst Enemy,” Lit
  8. “You Broke Up With Me,” Walker Hayes
  9. “Another One Bites The Dust,” Queen
  10. “Bye Bye Bye,” *NSYNC
  11. “Problem,” Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea
  12. “Freaks,” Timmy Trumpet, Savage
  13. “Love Myself,” Hailee Steinfeld
  14. “Attention,” Charlie Puth
  15. “Miss Independent,” Kelly Clarkson
  16. “Heartbreaker,” Pat Benatar
  17. “The Only Good Thing (You Ever Said Was Goodbye),” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
  18. “Run-Around,” Blues Traveler
  19. “Leave It All Behind,” Cult to Follow
  20. “Don’t Cha,” The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes
  21. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar
  22. “Ain’t Your Mama,” Jennifer Lopez
  23. “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
  24. “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson
  25. “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” Janet Jackson
  26. “Sorry Not Sorry,” Demi Lovato
  27. “Independence Day,” 5 Seconds of Summer
  28. “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift
  29. “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL COOL J
  30. “Fighter,” Christina Aguilera
  31. “Bad Blood,” Taylor Swift
  32. “Best Days of Your Life,” Kellie Pickler
  33. “Forget You,” CeeLo Green
  34. “Survivor,” Destiny’s Child

Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here: 

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Valentine’s Day Indoor Cycling Music Playlist & Routine For All Types of Love

Instructor listening to Valentine's Day spinning music playlist

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday to use for a themed indoor cycling playlist and workout routine since there are so many songs about love. 

But, beware! 

With everyone having different opinions about the holiday, I think it’s important to make an indoor cycling music playlist or workout routine that’s not all mushy gushy love songs — add some spunky single swag, and songs about self-love, friend love, etc. to make sure all of your riders are happy. 

Have fun with it, and don’t take the indoor cycling music playlist theme too seriously. I would look for love songs with a solid beat or high emotion to bring the energy in the Group X class, and throw in a few songs that will have everyone singing along.

Over the years, I’ve created a wide range of Valentine’s Day indoor cycling music playlists and routines. Here are a few: 

  • The relationship arc: taking riders on a journey through the ups and downs of a romantic relationship. 
  • Catching feelings: this one’s sure to give you ALL THE FEELS you need on Valentine’s Day
  • Love, love me: a playlist all about loving the most important person—yourself. 
  • Dirty secrets: a playlist all about unrequited, naughty, risque types of love.  

Reminder! As you explore these Valentine’s Day workout routines and indoor cycling playlists, remember that I like to teach my cycle class in a series that we do twice or three times through, depending on the series. So, I pick a couple exercises to make up my series, and we stick to it throughout the class. That way, participants know what to expect, so they can go big when they’re supposed to and not hold back for fear of another sprint around the corner.

Valentine’s Day Indoor Cycling Playlist & Routine #1: The Relationship Arc

For this Valentine’s Day-themed cycle music playlist, I took us through the arc of a relationship — the crushin’ phase, the romance, and finally the break-up.

The Series

Do the following exercises, twice through.

  • Song 1: Moderate pace with hard (uncomfortable) surges on the chorus. If your bikes have monitors, choose a fast RPM (between 80 – 100), then ask participants to add 10+ to their RPM during the chorus.
  • Song 2: Sprint intervals. 30 seconds breathless effort, 30 seconds recovery. Do this three times through.
  • Song 3: Climb (Part 1). Starting at moderate intensity seated, resistance slightly above flat road. Add resistance throughout the song, ending at hard intensity.
  • Song 4: Climb (Part 2). Keep resistance from prior song, and stand up. When you’re out of the saddle, resistance should feel moderate. Add resistance throughout the song, until you’re at hard intensity at the end.
  • Song 5: 45 seconds each — moderate, hard, harder and breathless intensity. You can add resistance, leg speed, sit or stand to increase intensity with each. If you’re using a monitor, you can ask participants to add RPM with each increase (approx. 80, 90, 100 and 110).

The Valentine’s Day Indoor Cycling Music Playlist:

  1. Call Me Maybe, by Carly Rae Jepsen [Warm-up]
  2. Got My Mind Set On You, by George Harrison [Song 1]
  3. Emotions, by Mariah Carey [Song 2]
  4. Buttons, by Pussy Cat Dolls [Song 3]
  5. The Other Side, by Jason Derulo [Song 4]
  6. Hey Leonardo, by Blessed Union of Souls [Song 5]
  7. Crazy in Love, by Beyonce feat. Jay-Z [Song 1]
  8. Best Days of Your Life, by Kellie Pickler [Song 2]
  9. Can’t Feel My Face, by The Weeknd [Song 3]
  10. Forget You, by Cee Lo Green [Song 4]
  11. Since U Been Gone, by Kelly Clarkson [Song 5]
  12. Fresh Eyes, by Andy Grammer [Cool Down]

Valentine’s Day Indoor Cycling Playlist & Routine #2: Catching Feelings

This Valentine’s Day cycling routine theme has me catching feelings, well, because that’s actually the name of it. All of the songs have “feel” or “feeling” in the title. And, let me tell you: this playlist is SO GOOD. Can’t wait for you to catch feelings for it, too.

The Series

The series includes the following four exercises, done three times through.

  1. Song 1: A march at moderate intensity. At the chorus, increase pace and resistance to find hard intensity, then come back to that moderate pace.
  2. Song 2: Climb. Maintain the same pace but increase the resistance periodically to go from moderate to hard intensity and from seated to standing by the end of the song.
  3. Song 3: Keep the resistance from the last song and continue to stand. Intensity should be between moderate and hard (feel free to adjust resistance slightly to accommodate). At chorus, keep the resistance and have a seat to find a hard intensity.
  4. Song 4: Keep a heavy resistance, but can adjust slightly. 30 second breathless interval with 30 second recovery.

Between each series, I added a surprise sprint song, where I yell out a random time duration and intensity level that participants must comply with.

The Playlist

Series Song / WorkoutSong
Warm-up“I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
Song 1: Moderate intensity march; hard at chorus“Emotions,” Mariah Carey
Song 2: Climb (Start seated, end standing)“Feel Invincible,” Skillet
Song 3: Stand (mod. intensity); sit at chorus“The Way You Make Me Feel,” Michael Jackson
Song 4: 30 sec. breathless / 30 sec. recover“Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man
Surprise Sprints“Dr. Feelgood,” Motley Crue
Song 1: Moderate intensity march; hard at chorus“Feel This Moment,” Pitbull, Christina Aguilera
Song 2: Climb (Start seated, end standing)“Feel like Makin’ Love,” Bad Company
Song 3: Stand (mod. intensity); sit at chorus“Can’t Stop This Feeling,” Justin Timberlake
Song 4: 30 sec. breathless / 30 sec. recover“Feeling This,” blink-182
Surprise Sprints“Take on Me,” a-ha
Song 1: Moderate intensity march; hard at chorus“Hooked On A Feeling,” Blue Swede, Bjorn Skifs
Song 2: Climb (Start seated, end standing)“Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd
Song 3: Stand (mod. intensity); sit at chorus“Feel Again,” OneRepublic
Song 4: 30 sec. breathless / 30 sec. recover“Good Feeling,” Flo Rida
Cool Down“Can’t Fight This Feeling,” REO Speedwagon

Want to hear the songs? I’ve added all these songs and more to my Spotify playlist here.

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29 Christmas Workout Songs [Link to Spotify Playlist]

Christmas Workout Songs

Forget presents and twinkle lights, I’m of the belief that nothing gets people in the holiday spirit quite like Christmas workout songs. Music can make or break a group fitness class, and it has a huge impact on the energy of a class, so it’s no surprise that Christmas music is an ideal way to make your holiday fitness classes feel fun and special. I’ve shared the top motivational songs for Group X a few months back, and now here are 29 Christmas workout songs to try.

29 High-energy Christmas Workout Songs

  1. “4 Carats,” by Kelly Clarkson
  2. “Run Rudolph Run,” by Cee Lo Green
  3. “Oh Santa!,” by Mariah Carey
  4. “Punk Rawk Christmas,” by MxPx
  5. “Sleigh Ride,” by August Burns Red
  6. “All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey
  7. “12 Days of Christmas,” by Relient K
  8. “Sleigh Ride,” by TLC
  9. “Man With The Bag,” by Jessie J
  10. “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” by *NSYNC
  11. “One More Sleep,” by Leona Lewis
  12. “Christmas Every Day,” Simple Plan
  13. “Jingle Bells,” Skid Row
  14. “Last Christmas,” Loveless, Downer Inc., Kellin Quinn
  15. “My Christmas List,” Simple Plan
  16. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” U2
  17. “Mistress for Christmas,” Halestorm
  18. “Here Comes the Snow,” Talia Denis
  19. “Xmas Time of the Year,” Green Day
  20. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight),” Ramones
  21. “Missing You This Christmas,” Theory of a Deadman
  22. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” Misfits
  23. “SANTA CLAUS IS BACK IN TOWN,” Fefe Dobson
  24. “Run, Rudolph, Run,” Otherwise
  25. “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home,” Anberlin
  26. “All I Want for Christmas is You,” My Chemical Romance
  27. “Please Santa,” David Kater
  28. “Hell of a Holiday,” Pistol Annies
  29. “My Favorite Time of Year,” Pete Masitti

Ready to listen to the songs? Check out my Spotify playlist here. 

I picked these songs, because they are all fast-paced, upbeat songs great for strength or spin classes. Of course, I had to include my all-time favorite Christmas song, “All I Want for Christmas is You,” by Mariah Carey, which has a great beat for holiday-themed workouts.

For more workout songs, check out my 6 indoor cycling workout routines and playlists.

Christmas Spin Routine and Playlist

ICYMI, I grabbed 15 of these songs and created my Punk Rock Christmas spin class playlist and routine (including a link to my Spotify playlist). Join my free Spin Routine of the Week newsletter, and you’ll get a routine like this delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Christmas Workout Outfit Ideas

Born Primitive Champagne Collection

A themed Christmas workout calls for a themed Christmas workout outfit. I am obsessed with Born Primitive’s Champagne collection. It’s red, white, and pine green with gold flecked sparkles.

Better yet, get $25 off your first purchase of $100 or more at Born Primitive with my code: https://prz.io/arnoLnyUy.

New Year’s Eve Spin Routine and Playlist

And, bookmark my New Year’s Eve spin routine and playlist for your first workout in the New Year.

Cheers!

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This “Best of 2016” Indoor Cycling Playlist Rocks the House

Indoor cycling instructor Michelle

Since last year was monumental for the music industry, I couldn’t get too far into 2017 without creating a “Best of 2016” playlist to use with some of my favorite indoor cycling workout routines. First and foremost, we said goodbye to quite a few celebrities with significant contributions to music, like George Michael, David Bowie and Prince. 2016 also saw new Top 40s hits that are great for a spin class. So, I combined some of the chart-toppers with classics from those that passed last year to create the ultimate indoor cycling playlist of 2016.

I’ve done this one a bunch in my spinning classes, and it is a huge hit with participants. They always finish this ride out of breath and wiped. Now, whenever I’m in a pinch and need a go-to indoor cycling playlist, I’ll pull this one out.

Here is my member-approved “Best of 2016” indoor cycling playlist.

As you know, I like to teach my spinning classes in a series of exercises that we do twice or three times through, depending on the series. So, I pick a couple exercises to make up my series, and we stick to it throughout the class. That way, participants know what to expect, so they can go big when they’re supposed to and not hold back for fear of another interval around the corner.

Here’s the series — do it three times through. The first two songs are “climbs”, which means you add resistance throughout both songs. In addition, you can add some fun variations to the ride. Like if your bikes have monitors, you can ask participants to increase their RPMs or leg speed on the chorus, or go in and out of the saddle as you go, as long as everyone is increasing resistance throughout. Then, the last song is for intervals. I ask participants to track their distance for a 2-minute breathless interval in the first song.

Then in the second series, we use that distance as our guide. So, I’ll ask participants to do half the distance in half the time. Divide that original distance by two, and time the class for one minute. Finally, in the third series, we’ll again do half the distance in half the time, so divide the number by two and go that distance in thirty seconds. You choose how many intervals you’ll do for each song. I like to do the first one once. Then, series two has two 1-minute intervals. And, series three has three or four 30-second intervals.

The “Best of 2016” Indoor Cycling Playlist

  1. Cake By the Ocean, by DNCE [Warm-up]
  2. Let Me Love You, by DJ Snake feat. Justin Bieber [Song 1]
  3. Faith, by George Michael [Song 2]
  4. 24K Magic (Workout Remix), by Bruno Mars [Song 3] *Make sure to get the edited version of this song!*
  5. Just Hold On, by Steve Aoki & Louis Tomlinson [Song 1]
  6. Under Pressure, by Queen & David Bowie [Song 2]
  7. HandClap, by Fitz & The Tantrums [Song 3]
  8. Can’t Stop This Feeling, by Justin Timberlake [Song 1]
  9. Just Like Fire, by P!nk [Song2]
  10. 1999, by Price [Song 3]
  11. Take it to the Limit, by The Eagles [Cool Down]

Hope you enjoy! If you’re looking for more spinning songs and playlists, check out the workout routines and playlists page.

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10 Workout Songs for the End of Summer

The End of Summer Workout Songs

This summer is flying by. Before we know it, we’ll be trading in our long, hot days for school work, falling leaves and crisp, cool mornings. The changing of the seasons is a great time to add some new tunes to mix up your Group X playlist. A few months ago, I shared a few workout songs to try around the Memorial Day holiday. Now, here are ten workout songs that fit an end of summer theme to play in an upcoming group fitness class.

These end-of-summer workout songs includes songs about school and songs about the upcoming Fall season, because those are the two major things we get to look forward to in the near future.

School is Back in Session Songs

“Rock and Roll High School,” The Ramones — fast-paced, upbeat song that’s good for a sprint.

“ABC,” The Jackson 5 — a family fun song with a slower speed but tons of energy.

“Another Brick in the Wall,” Pink Floyd — a steady moderately-paced song that will give your playlist some edge.

“Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” The Police — a nice buildup for a climb or slower song.

“Teacher,” Nick Jonas — fun, upbeat pop song with a moderate beat that’s good for strength training.

Fall-ing in Love with These Workout Songs

“September,” Earth, Wind & Fire — I don’t know a single person that doesn’t love this song. A must for any fall-themed playlist.

“Falling for You,” Student Rick — A fast rock song with a bit of punk that will have you itching for an interval.

“DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” Usher feat. Pitbull — a high-energy pop, Top 40’s song that will fit in a bunch of different playlists.

“Free Fallin’,” Tom Petty — A classic slow jam that will have everyone bobbing their heads during cool down.

“Fall For You,” Secondhand Serenade — A great, slow love song that’s a perfect cool down song.

For more workout songs, check out the workout routines and playlists page.

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14 Themed Workout Songs for Memorial Day

Fitness instructor listening to workout songs for Memorial Day

While classes during three-day weekends can be hard to navigate due to sometimes near-zero attendance, they’re also the perfect opportunity to mix it up with a playlist full of themed workout songs. My Monday classes were cancelled today, since the gym closed early. So, I planned a themed playlist last week instead that was loosely linked to Memorial Day. I say, “loosely,” because I pulled together a bunch of songs that remind me of Memorial Day for different reasons. Some center on memories/remembrance, others are patriotic and then I sprinkled in a few with a summertime vibe.

It’s important to keep in mind that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for everyone who has died serving in the American armed forces. So, you’ll want make sure to be sensitive and respectful of the holiday when explaining the theme.

Here’s a look at fourteen workout songs for a Memorial Day playlist.

Memory-themed Workout Songs

“Do You Remember”, Jay Sean — upbeat, Top 40’s-esque song with some sexy Sean Paul and Lil Jon flavor.

“Memory”, by SugarCult — fast-paced song, good for intervals, that your inner teenager will love.

“Remember The Name”, Fort Minor — slow, steady song with pump-you-up motivational lyrics.

“Remember the Time”, Michael Jackson — slow crowd-pleaser with a strong beat.

“Thnks Fr Th Mmrs”, Fall Out Boy — the verses build up into a quick, catchy chorus.

Songs about the USA, Yay!

“Born in the U.S.A.”, Bruce Springsteen — slower, classic song that will have people singing along.

“All-American Girl”, Carrie Underwood — pop/country song with a cutesy storyline.

“Party in the U.S.A.”, Miley Cyrus — the song everyone knows that will undoubtedly get stuck in your head.

“American Idiot”, Green Day — a fast, punk rock anthem good for sprints and intervals.

“American Woman”, Lenny Kravitz — slow and powerful. That, “uhhh,” speaks to my soul, Lenny.

Summertime, and the Songs Are Easy.

“Summer”, Calvin Harris — EDM/house song with a big buildup at the chorus.

“Holiday”, Green Day — moderately-paced, with a heavy beat. Not your average beachy tunes.

“The Boys of Summer”, Don Henley — a solid summer throwback to round out the mix.

“Soak Up The Sun”, Sheryl Crow — A carefree, easy-listening cool down song.

For more workout songs, check out the workout routines and playlist page.

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How to Automatically Adjust the Volume of Workout Songs in iTunes

Woman listening to workout songs on her iPhone

While I’m a big fan of premade Group X CDs — they’re convenient, volume controlled and have a consistent BPM (beats per minute) — my participants tend to prefer iPhone playlists, because the workout songs selection is better and the music is less squeaky. However, one of my biggest problems with playing a self-made playlist off iTunes is the song volume fluctuates drastically with each song. So, instead of having the freedom to be anywhere in the room, I have an invisible chain keeping me within arms’ length of the stereo so that I can turn the volume up or down to adjust with each song.

For the longest time I’ve been playing premade CDs in my strength classes. But, recently the CD player in my class wasn’t working, so I had to plug in my iPhone instead. A few participants commented that they loved the music. I was playing all of my jams — like some of Beyonce’s old stuff, like, “Crazy In Love”. But, as each song would come on, I would run over to the stereo to adjust the volume.

After the class was over, one of the members came over to suggest a solution: iTunes’ Sound Check. It automatically adjusts playback volume to the same level. I added it to my iPhone, and while it didn’t completely fix the problem, it made the volume fluctuation between workout songs more tolerable.

For those interested in adding Sound Check to your Apple devices (e.g. iPhone, iPad, iPod, etc.), here’s a step-by-step guide.

1 – Open your iTunes on your computer.

2 – Click the top left corner button and click “Preferences”.

A screenshot of iTunes

3 – Select the “Playback” tab. Then, make sure “Sound Check” is selected.

A screen shot of the Sound Check option on iTunes

4 – Finally, sync your Apple device with your computer, by connecting your product to the computer with the power cord.

5 – Play your workout songs the same way you always do.

We tested my playlist after enabling Sound Check. While there was still some variability between songs, the volume was much better than last class. This is a great solution for instructors during Group X classes, but also for those that like to listen to playlists on a long run or other exercise. That way, you don’t have to yank your earbuds out of your ears when a loud song comes up on shuffle.

Sound Check just might be the technology I needed to finally start using an iPhone playlist of workout songs for my Group X classes.

For fitness instructors looking for more advice, check out the group exercise ideas and tips page.