Cardio Playlist 2012

I’m overdue for a BRAND NEW cardio playlist for 2012.  I pride myself in finding the latest, the most unique, the most motivating songs to keep you from getting bored on those cardio machines.  This list is no exception . . .

“Called Out in the Dark” by Snow Patrol . . . Brand new from this fabulous group!  An absolutely perfect tempo to warm up.  This is your life; this is your time ➟

“Eyes” by Kaskade (feat. Mindy Gledhill) . . . I LOVE, LOVE this one ‘ cause eyes are the windows to the soul and love is plain to see .♡  At 2:23 is when you should step up your game a bit faster on the mill!!

“Domino” by Jessie J . . . speaking of love , this one will make you happy and spin yourself out of control!!

“Paradise” by Coldplay (Fedde Le Grande remix) . . . I absolutely adore the original but this is the version for cardio!!

“These Days” by Foo Fighters . . . This group has a way of hiding profound lyrics behind smash rockin’ music.  One of these days your heart will play its final beat – but not today as you work it with this!

“Every Car You Chase” by Snow Patrol Vs. The Police . . . . One of my very favorite songs of all time paired with another fave ~ an ingenious mash-up!!  I dare you to stop during this!

 

“Joanna” by Little Comets . . . I’m not sure what I like about this song.  I just do:

“Video Games” by Lana Del Rey . . . A silky, sultry way to close your cardio. HEART this and the Cali footage too!!

 

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Pre-Holiday Cardio Playlist

Want to indulge without the bulge this holiday season?!  If you exercise now and push yourself a little harder with your cardio (4 days of cardio instead of 3? or 30 minutes instead of 20 minute sessions? or Run/Walk instead of Walk?), you will be able to partake in the festivities wholeheartedly!!  

“The One You Say Goodnight To” by Kina Grannis . . . My right now song.  Positively perfect beginning.  :-)

“Dakent“ by Banger (VooDoo Bear Remix) . . .  the xylophone will appeal to your inner child!!  A unique, creative instrumental that has an inspiring beat for your beginning.  At about 40 seconds in, the beat increases to get your heart rate off and running.

“Phazing Disposition” (JRowe Mashup) . . . . a remix of “Sweet Disposition” from 500 Days of Summer.  Time to start kicking things up.  This version moves your groove to a stronger beat.  I’ve meshed mine so that this song begins before “Dakent” ends – perfect transition!!  (Flash mob choreography is improving my remix abilities!!)

 ”Big in Japan” by Martin Solveig . . . remember Solveig’s song “Hello?”  This may be even more heart-throbbing!!  Great to get you in your faster zone ⟾~

“So Much Love” by Fedde Le Grand . . . . LOVE this song!!  This song will find you in your happy zone!!!  Love, music, dance:  the necessities of life.  I adore the heart-shaped hands:

“Good Feeling” by Flo Rida . . . Leave it to this artist to provide a workout wonder song . . . Workout video too!

“I Like How It Feels” by Enrique Iglesias . . . Just when you start to get tired, you need this feel-good number!  ”Cause this is our time!!

“We Found Love” by Rihanna – This is one of those songs that just sounds happy!!!  And, yes, love is usually found in a hopeless place.  Celebrate it!

“Without You” by Eddie Vedder . . . another from his Ukelele songs.  This song is simply beautiful – lyrics and tune.  I saw this show over the summer; this is a fabulous live version of this song.  Download it from Vedder’s Ukelele album.  A smooth cool-down.

BONUS SONG FOR THE LADIES:

“Rumor Has It/Someone Like You” Mashup by GLEE - Okay, gentlemen may not like this one as much.  Girls, this one is good for your cardio mix as you pound the pavement and feel lucky that you dodged that bullet from the one who made the mistake!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

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Cardio Playlist – Fall 2011

Don’t just fall into autumn . . . jump into the new season with a refreshed, more toned you.  It’s been a while since my last playlist and IT’S TIME!!!!  Are you like me?  Do you get bored playing the same music at the gym?  These might give you some ideas . . . 

Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People . . . . This is a PERFECT one to get you in the mood and get your own kicks pumped up!!  I can’t get the chorus out of my head!!!!! Turn this one up ~

Bruises by Chairlift  . . . I’m sure we all can relate to this one.  Each one of us has that person whom we tried to do handstands for but kept falling over.  ;-)

Beautiful People by Chris Brown and Benny Benassi . . .  Brown brings it again with another catchy, can’t-help-but-move tune.  I adore positive, life is good beats and this is definitely one of them!  People everywhere ARE beautiful!!!

Walk by Foo Fighters . . . Such a heart pumping song that is perrrrfect for cardio!!  Funny video too with great Los Angeles footage!!

One Club at a Time by Midnight Red . . . This one reminds me of dancing this summer with my daughter.  She’s a vibrant soul and you will be to0 if you let the music take you away during cardio! (I couldn’t find the original video but this is a good live shot)

Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO . . . I can’t not include this one (how’s that for a double negative?)!  Now if only we had a “shufflin” epidemic spread like the one in the video!  LOL!!

Beggin‘ by Madcon . . . . This is a great one to strut your stuff to.  Not crazy about the video but the song rocks me.

Can’t Keep by Eddie Vedder . . . I’m loving the softer side of Eddie we’ve heard lately.  This is a unique tune to rock your world – yes, rock with a ukelele!!  Love this whole album!!  Watch for the whale in this amazing video →

 

 

 

 

 

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Cardio PLAYlist

Music is a universal language that truly does transcend boundaries.  Whatever native tongue one speaks, emotions evoked through music is unequivocally understood.  It’s no wonder music does so much to motivate our movement through exercise.  EXERCISE FOR YOUR HEART AND SING FOR YOUR SOUL! Here are the latest songs motivating me right now. ☞

“Someday” by Rob Thomas . . . Sometimes we don’t notice just how good it can get!  This uber-optimistic song will positively kick off your cardio!  Do you have someone you wish you could get through to?  Listen to this as you sweat it out and let the magic happen.  I ♥ the video too!!

“Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin . . . While I love running with this one on a trail near grassy fields, it works equally well on the treadmill.  You just have to put your mind there!  And as an English teacher, I appreciate the rock & lit connection to The Hobbit!

“Happiness” by Alexis Jordan (Wideboys Club Mix) . . . This one goes out to my baby niece – there’s never been a happier soul born!!!!  She loves bouncing to this song and this remix will get you bouncing too.  Everyone needs a little happiness inserted in their cardio.  I can’t say enough about the feel-good mood this song evokes!!  M mm mm mm . . .

“Born This Way” by Lady GaGa . . . Baby, you were born this way so make the most of it.  Give it your all, be truly present during cardio and you’ll get more out of your exercise.  Whether you’re a fan of GaGa or not, let yourself listen to the words and your feet will carry you to burn more calories.

“Yeah 3X” by Chris Brown . . . Remember the infamous wedding video with Chris Brown’s other big hit “Forever?”  This one gets people dancing in the aisles like that!!

“Your Love is My Drug” (Dave Aude Remix) by Kesha . . . There is no better drug in the world!!!  The version of this song makes me happy inside and out!!!  Find someone that loves life as much as you and you’ll never have a sad day again! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

“Space Age Love Song” by Flock of Seagulls . . . This is one of those special songs that would go on my “life playlist” – a long, happy story which I’ll devote to another post.  In any event, this dream tune will keep your feet flying with an 80′s flare.

“Paranoid” by Garbage . . . You won’t be paranoid by the time you’re done.  This is one of those songs you don’t always think of for cardio but it works! In cardio, variety is where it’s at!!

“If I Every Lose My Faith in You” by Sting . . . I love this man.  This video is fabulous.  This song rocks my world.  Keep the faith, turn it on as you reach the home stretch, and your satisfaction will last long after your cardio is complete.

“Uncharted” by Sara Bareilles . . . You’re going down for the last section of your cardio.  Can you recognize the artists appearing in this video??  Shout out to my favorite pianist Ben Folds!!

 

 

 

 

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March Motivating Cardio Playlist!

This is the month when we start to catch “Spring Fever.”  This is the month when we want to pack away our winter gear and don the breezier spring pieces.  This is the month where our hearts turn to new love, we get the urge to clean and make things fresh, and . . . we realize bikini season is just around the corner!!!!

I read a funny quotation on an advertisement at my gym today:  “Spandex is a privilege, not a right.”  Too funny!   So boys and girls, if you want to fit into your ‘spandex’ or any other snug-hugging, revealing spring and summer ensembles, let the music take over.  These are the songs (new and old!) that currently motivate me the most to MOVE!!!! ☛

Requirement:  These must be turned up for ample motivation!!  Recent studies show that turning up the volume on your IPod (to a safe level, of course) boosts adrenalin and cardio power!!!  

“Jump” by the Glee cast. . . This is a giddier version of the original.  So, so, so fun – it makes me want to leap off of the treadmill.  [maybe I should just go use the mini trampoline in my basement   ]

“California Dreamin” (Tek-House Extended) by Royal Gigolos . . . You’ve never heard a version like this before – it’ll keep your feet in perfect rhythm to your destiny!

“Rock Me” by Liz Phair . . . I love songs with silly lyrics . . . perfect moderate beat for the middle of the mix.

“A Little Less Conversation” (JXL Remix) by Elvis Presley . . . Yes, this was the Las Vegas theme song, so it will put you in the ‘breakation’ mode!

“What Are You Waiting For?” by Gwen Stefani . . . Okay, this is the part of the workout where you really pick it up again.  I saw her in concert, and she completely ROCKED this song!!

“Forever” by Chris Brown . . . I picture the now infamous YouTube video of the dancing wedding party . . . I’m so doing that at my wedding!!

“Don’t Stop Believin’” by the Glee cast . . . Admittedly, I could put almost all of the Glee songs on here, but this is definitely their “classic.”

“Give a Little Bit” by Goo Goo Dolls . . . Warning, you may find yourself singing along to the chorus before this song is over!

“Send Me on My Way” by Rusted Root . . . I saw them in Chicago at the Aragon Theater years ago.  When I walked in, I looked strangely at the eccentric ‘groupies’ jumping around to the songs barefoot – by the end of the concert, I was doing the same thing.

“Just Say Yes” by Snow Patrol . . . I’ve always liked this group, and this is one song that gives you that empowered feeling.  A great song to end your workout and leave the gym with.  Because, in the end, it’s all a happy ending!!!

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January New Year Cardio Playlist

Check out the New 2012 Playlist here:  New 2012 Cardio Playlist!!!

Check out the 2011 Cardio Playlist here:  New 2011 Cardio Playlist!!!

It’s a new year in a new decade!!  It’s a time for renewing, trying new adventures and reaching new goals.  A motivating soundtrack to accompany the journey is not only a perk but a necessity along the way.  Here is Grading Girl’s FIRST cardio playlist of the decade!  Jumpstart those resolutions, charge those MP3s and get moving!!!

“Ring-a-Ling” by Black-Eyed Peas . . . a perfectly moderate tempo to ring in the new workouts

“Let Me Think About It” (Radio Edit) by Ida Corr vs. Feddie Le Grand . . . very infectious!!

“In My Arms” (Kaskade Radio Edit) by Plumb . . . It is as if I wrote this song!!  The lyrics hit home hard!  This faster, remixed version really gives the song an extra positive vibe.  It will make you step higher on the treadmil.

“Cho Dongho: The Ting Tings: That’s Not My Name” . . . I have two different versions of this song on previous playlists.  This group is nominated for Best New Artist this year with good reason.  Their upbeat songs are good, clean fun! Find this version for free on VSHolic – Victoria’s Secret supermodels strutted to this on the runway during last year’s fashion show.

“Untouched” (Listen Deep Remix) by The Veronicas . . . Just when you are starting to tire, this song’s tune makes you keep stepping!!

“Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leon . . . This is the lesser-known, solid song by this band.  Try it – you’ll like it!

“Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon . . . Blends seamlessly with the previous song, and a perfect one to start your slowdown.  This song is rightfully nominated for this year’s Record of the Year.

“Dream” by Priscilla Ahn . . . a sweet song to end with.  Wonderful!!!!!

***If your workouts are longer than this list allows, try filling in the time with songs from the two Glee soundtracks.  Dare I say many are more fun versions than the originals?!?  You will undoubtedly feel happier listening to these songs – just be careful, you may find yourself singing along!!!

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