“Burn it to earn it” playlist

Hi friends! How has your Monday been?

Livi and I ventured to Whole Foods for juices,

 

Juice thirty

and then to the eye doctor to get my eyelash situation figured out. The verdict? Small cut on my eye, likely from the eye pad. Drops for 5 days, which means glasses for 5 days. Womp wooooomp.

I actually don’t mind wearing my glasses -it’s kind of fun to switch things up- but man, do they cramp my workout style. Also, I’m like a bat in the sun and need sunnies the second I walk outside, so if I’m wearing my glasses outside, it’s usually a sunglasses and glasses sandwich on my face. The bonus about seeing a doctor: they fixed my glasses so at least they stay on my head without the handy rubberband. 

One workout I don’t mind with glasses: spinning. When we first got the spin bike, I was hoping it wouldn’t be a “forgotten piece of cardio equipment” since it lives in the garage. I’ve been using it a ton! It’s been perfect for naptime cardio, at night after Livi is asleep, and is especially lovely for propping the iPad to watch Scandal. I also like to put on a killer playlist and have my own spin class : (<– I’d LOVE to make some podcasts but have no idea how to do it or what to do with music/copyright issues. Any tips?!)

Scandal

While revamping my playlists, I was thinking about how much I like to listen to alternative music when I lift weights. For cardio, I’ll go for more upbeat tracks, but when it comes to strength training, I much prefer Metallica over Lady Gaga. Something about a guitar riff and someone yelling inspires me to lift heavy things. 

Strength training playlist

Some of favorite weight lifting songs (old and new!):

Bad Blood- Bastille

“Phoenix” Fall Out Boy

“Hail to the King” Avenged Sevenfold

“It’s About Time” Young and the Giant

“Burn” Ellie Goulding (ok, so a little pop-y stuff snuck in here, too)

“Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat” Jewels and Dreams remix

“Stockholm Syndrome” Muse

“One” Metallica

“Land of Confusion” Disturbed

“ATTACK” 30 Seconds to Mars (an old fave)

and the Spotify playlist:

 

 It would be a great playlist for this morning’s circuit workout, too! 🙂

What type of music pumps you up for cardio and strength? Are they different, or could you use the same playlists for anything? 

I also love working out to podcasts, but don’t feel like I work very hard on those days. It’s a little easier for me to zone out and focus when I’m just listening to music.

Time to make some dinner over here. I can’t believe LIVI IS TURNING TWO this week! It feels like I was just making Elmo cupcakes yesterday. This year, I have a feeling it will be Olaf cupcakes… we’re Frozen crazy.

Have a great night! See ya in the morning with an asana-kicker of a workout.

Chatarunga  1 of 1 2

xoxo

Gina

 

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71 Comments

  1. Abi@AbsofSteel on January 6, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    One of my favorite things about my contacts is how much easier they make working out. I like to listen to podcasts on my slow runs and upbeat songs on my interval runs/workouts. I’m pretty picky about my strength music though, if I can’t find the right combo of rough but with good beats then I usually go music less. I’ll have to try out your playlist!

  2. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on January 6, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    I love creating my own little spin classes on the bike. Mumford and Sons is really good for sprints (I Will Wait and Little Lion Man).

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 6:19 pm

      ahhhh! love those songs 🙂

  3. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on January 6, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    Eeeeek, my eyes got all squinty just reading about having a cut on your eye — hope it feels better soon!

    Great playlist — I need some new tunes to inspire me, so your timing is perfect 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      thank you!!!
      hope you enjoy 🙂
      xo

  4. Paige@FitNotFad on January 6, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Gah any Avenged Sevenfold gets me going for weight training! They’re my favorite workout artist 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 6:56 pm

      they’re amazing!! makes me work harder every.time

  5. Krystal on January 6, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    I wish you could have spin class podcasts!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      me tooooooo

  6. Kristen on January 6, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Absolutely hooked on Scandal! Trying to get caught up on Netflix and can’t watch it fast enough.

    Sounds silly but I love myself a little Justin Timberlake when I work out. Love the beat. Also just downloaded some Jay Z. I tend to have an eclectic ear when it comes to workout music. Red Hot Chili Peppers are always good too!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      i love jt, too! and yes to scandal– my one episode a day is a treat and i’m always tempted to watch another one before bed 🙂

  7. Colleen on January 6, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    I definitely like alternative for lifting weights! Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie, Godsmack, Fall Out Boy, and Taproot are all on my lifting playlist.

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 7:21 pm

      we’re strength training music soul sisters 😉

  8. Cassie on January 6, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Wow, can’t believe she’s almost 2! Can’t wait to see the Frozen party pics (such a cute movie, Olaf is adorable!).

    An awesome reader’s request post might be sort of an everything-playlists post? How you organize playlists, how often you update, any nifty tricks you use, when you use spotify vs itunes, and so on….The classes I teach both have standard music I use, but I mix tracks between different releases to change it up each week….but when it comes to running or working out on my own, I end up on “shuffle” and waste a lot of valuable gym time trying to find a motivating song instead of focusing on my workout! My boyfriend, on the other hand, gets super technical with his and even has Tabata/HIIT playlists timed out to alternate hard/rest songs!

  9. Mere on January 6, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I LOVE this post! I’m such a fan of “rock”-ing (pun intended!) out to alternative music when working out. Doesn’t matter the activity, it really gets me pumped up & I’m disappointed it’s rarely used In classes, especially high intensity ones like boxing or Tabata. Some of my new are Volbeat’s “Warrior Call” and Five Fingered Death Punch’s “Under and Over It”. Korn’s “Coming Undone” is also an oldie but a goodie. And like you said, you can never go wrong with Metallica! 🙂

  10. Angie on January 6, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Lately I’ve been listening to a Bruno Mars only playlist. His voice is butterrrrrrr 😀

    Aww can’t believe Livi will be 2 soon! We love Frozen too 😀 watched it in Florida a couple weeks ago. Not what i thought from the previews but loved it anyway. Loved the message it gave..that a girl does not need a man to help her, she is strong enough to do things on her own

    Cant wait to see the party pics 😀

    BTW, i am obsessed with Scandal too. Where are you at, have you seen all 3 seasons? i got the dvd’s for christmas and watched them all in a week. Every episode had me even more addicted, sooo much going on. Then i got to season 3 and i can only watch one episode a night. There is soo much going on it makes your head spin, i felt heavy watching each one. Am i the only one?? So now i have one episode left of Season 3 and i am taking a break. This season really tripped me out esp with Cyrus and his hubby. :O wowwww

  11. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on January 6, 2014 at 8:22 pm

    I love creating my own spin workouts. I used to never spin but after an injury I like to combine spinning and a running! It is a great combination!

  12. Heidi Shaw on January 6, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    My son was born about a week before your daughter. His party is this Saturday, I’m gearing up for a wiggles guitar cake since we’re all about the wiggles over here.
    When it comes to workouts, my son often chooses the play list these days. Keeps him entertained so I’m not constrained to sleep time working out.

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 9:26 pm

      oh cute! livi loves the wiggles, too 🙂
      happy birthday to your son!!! that’s a great idea. it’s funny because whenever i try to do a dvd or work out when liv is awake, she gets really clingy and wants me to hold her the whole time

      • Heidi Shaw on January 7, 2014 at 12:50 am

        Happy birthday to Liv too!
        My son gets clingy too. I usually do tabata intervals when he’s around. That way it’s only 20 seconds at a time he has to manage without me. I put a stop watch out of his reach and leave the phone for him to man. He becomes my push up weigh plate and I cuddle him as my squat and lunge weight. It’s definitely not perfect but we make it work. I love that he talks about exercise and wants to be involved 🙂

        • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:48 am

          that’s a great idea. maybe i’ll try some tabatas next time! we have a munnchkin room on base with a great gated play area, fun toys/gym equipment for the kids and a tv, but last time we went, she wasn’t having it. we’ll see how the tabatas go!

  13. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on January 6, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    I l

  14. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on January 6, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    Err haha that was supposed to say I love spinning! I just took a spinning class today that counted down the top 13 songs of 2013.

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:49 pm

      hahah! i was just like, “what’s II?” <-- thought it was some slang i didn't know about that sounds like such a fun idea for a class playlist

  15. Emily on January 6, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    So this is kind of a random comment but I just wanted to say that I really appreciate how much/often you’ve been responding to comments lately. Sometimes it’s almost “discouraging” (not quite the right word…) when bloggers don’t respond (or respond to very few), and just wanted you to know that I’ve noticed 🙂 I know it’s got to be much more time consuming, and you obviously have your hands full with your beautiful family, work, etc…so thank you!

    Also, I second the commenter who requested a juicing post!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:48 pm

      thank you so much, emily! i’m so glad someone noticed, haha 🙂 i’ve just been thinking about how much i love when people write back to my comments, so i should try to write back as much as possible 🙂
      will definitely do a juice post!
      xoxo

      • jodie on January 7, 2014 at 9:42 am

        Yes I have noticed too and it has endeared me more to your blog. It shows you care. I know how busy busy life is so thank you. Appreciate it.

        • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:45 am

          thank you so much!! i always look forward to your comments 🙂
          hope you have a great day!
          xo

    • Ali on January 7, 2014 at 7:53 am

      I second this (and have been noticing it too)! It makes reading blogs so much more fun and I’m more apt to leave comments if the blog author responds. Thank you, Gina!

      • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:46 am

        :)!!! thank you, ali
        hope you have a great day!

  16. Livi on January 6, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    that playlist looks awesome! A good playlist totally makes the difference to push through a hard workout!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:47 pm

      i totally agree!

  17. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on January 6, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    I actually don’t usually listen to music when I workout–I typically just watch TV to keep me going on cardio and then don’t listen to anything when I’m lifting weights.

    I HATE when I have to wear my glasses instead of contacts. It doesn’t happen very often and my glasses are so old because I never wear them, so i don’t see the point in spending money to update them. I don’t even know where they are right now!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:47 pm

      haha i *splurged* a couple of years ago and updated mine.. just because i lost my other ones and they were an old rx.
      excited to wear contacts again in a few days!

  18. Bonnie on January 6, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Ahh! Cannot wait to do arms and abs to this playlist tomorrow morning! Also, I have a post request: Would you be willing to write about what organization methods you use in your home to keep it running smoothly? Anything from actual organization “things” like bins, labels, etc., to how/where you post schedules, weekly cleaning schedules, etc. I know it’s kinda off topic, but since it’s the New Year, I think alot of people are re-thinking what they’re currently doing, and may want to revamp (I know I do!). Also, a smoothly running home can also mean more time to workout, plan meals, prep meals, so on. Ok, hope that made sense. Thanks for considering!

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:46 pm

      hope you like it!!
      sure! i’m super organized about some things.. but others, not so much 😉 i could definitely do one with my cleaning schedule and another meal prep post. thanks for the idea!
      xoxo

      • Fancy on January 8, 2014 at 3:08 pm

        LOVE this idea! Especially the home part…bins, labels, etc.

  19. Alex @ Kenzie Life on January 6, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    I hope the cut on your eye doesn’t bother you too much! It sounds so painful! Hope it gets better soon! 🙂 I really love listening to club type music when I workout—things like Flo Rida and Pit Bull.

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:46 pm

      thank you! after the drops, it’s feeling so much better!
      also a huge club music fan 🙂

  20. Danielle on January 6, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    Hi there! Just wanted to say I usually enjoy your mini-workouts but as someone who has completed the 200 hour yoga teacher training, I’m skeptical about you posting yoga “workouts.” Teaching yoga is extremely complicated and I’m afraid your readers could easily get injured by this move by someone who isn’t qualified. Have you had any yoga-specific training? Plus, seeing your form in the pic shown here and the one on Instagram further reinforce that you should work on your own practice and not teach others.

    • Fitnessista on January 6, 2014 at 11:45 pm

      i understand your concern, which is why i always specify that i’m not certified in yoga, just someone who enjoys practicing, and that anyone who does not practice regularly and isn’t comfortable with the basic movements should skip out. i also call them yoga-inspired workouts– you can check out an example here: http://fitnessista.com/2013/10/kick-your-asana-workout/
      would you mind explaining what’s wrong with my chatarunga in the picture? i thought i had good form for that one. my hips are in line with my body, my neck is neutral and comfortable, my elbows are in line with my back (not above) and i’m pressing back with my heels.

      • Danielle on January 7, 2014 at 7:03 am

        Thanks for your response. If you look at the picture, you can see that your body is not in a straight line – the tailbone is pointing up. It looks like if you can get your hips down in line it will bring your arms to the correct 90 degree angle. Open the feet slightly – they should be in the same place as if you were in a push-up position.

        • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:47 am

          i will definitely try that- thank you for the tips.

  21. CourtStar @ StarSystemzFitness on January 7, 2014 at 12:22 am

    Is it wrong that I just walk around blind instead of wearing contacts..haha I am so bad! Love that you and missy get juices together so cute! Lots of love C

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 12:34 am

      my eyesight is wayyyy too terrible to do that. everyone would be colorful blurs
      we love our juice dates 🙂
      hope you have a great night!

  22. Ashley @ Broc Blog on January 7, 2014 at 12:28 am

    LOVE the playlist! I feel like Ive been switching a lot lately between indie rock and 90’s rap. It’s so random.

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 12:35 am

      random and AWESOME

  23. Lucie on January 7, 2014 at 3:47 am

    I LOVE new playlists! All the songs from Sunrise Avenue are currently playing on my iPod – they are so perfect for strength. Especially life. I mean you can pretend that the crowd is yelling and clapping because of you, right? 🙂

  24. Lucie on January 7, 2014 at 3:47 am

    I LOVE new playlists! All the songs from Sunrise Avenue are currently playing on my iPod – they are so perfect for strength. Especially life. I mean you can pretend that the crowd is yelling and clapping because of you, right? 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:47 am

      hahah, they’re cheering you along the way!

  25. Brittany on January 7, 2014 at 6:34 am

    Thanks so much for the play list, I am constantly looking for new gym music. I feel it is always the first thing to go stale, in a manner of speaking.

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:47 am

      hope you enjoy it!

  26. Ali on January 7, 2014 at 7:59 am

    Oh man, glasses and contacts. I do not miss those! I had LASIK about 10 years ago and have not regretted one second of it! My eyes and astigmatism were so bad that contacts and glasses couldn’t correct them anymore and my Dr said the DMV would deny me for driving when I went in to renew my license the next year (I didn’t think they were that bad, I was never in danger of hurting anyone while driving). So LASIK it was. It’s weird to think about being dependent on glasses or contacts anymore but I remember how much of a pain in the butt it was! Hope your eye feels better soon!

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 9:46 am

      that is amazing! whenever i have eye problems, it makes me wish i would have just gotten lasik over with a few years ago. the eye claw really, really freaks me out. good to know it’s been successful for you! all of my friends that have had lasik are extremely happy with it

      • Ali on January 7, 2014 at 5:17 pm

        Oh man, the whole strapping your head down and having your eye held open is awful but your in and done in less than 15 minutes!

        • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 5:40 pm

          ahhhhhhhhh. i’m just so freaked out. they’d probably have to give me something to avoid a panic attack

  27. mary on January 7, 2014 at 9:59 am

    When you get bored on the spin bike check out the audio workouts on CardioCoach.com. I love them for home cardio machines. Not free but not expensive and worth it.

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 10:01 am

      awesome, i’m excited to check them out!

  28. Megan on January 7, 2014 at 10:15 am

    LOVE FALL OUT BOY for any work out. Radiohead is a good one and so is Linkin Park. You should also add Buckcherry Crazy Bitch to you playlist. Solid music selection.

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 11:27 am

      totally wilL! thank you 🙂
      LOVE fall out boy, too

  29. Erin on January 7, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Wait just a minute…. I have been following your blog for years and I never knew you listened to such awesome music! Some of my favorite bands are on that playlist haha!

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 11:24 am

      haha! twinsies 🙂

  30. Tracy on January 7, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Like many other commenters, I love your replies!! Is there a way to have the reply come in to my email? The only way I know if you reply to a question in comments is if I go back and look for it again. Am I missing something? A “box” to check?

    And….totally Scandal obsessed over here! We caught up on Netflix and the end of Feb can’t come soon enough!! Have you watched House of Cards yet? So so good too! Highly recommend!

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      :)!
      i’m sure there’s a widget i can add to do that. i’ll try to get it set up today!
      OBSESSED. i’m almost caught up! no, i haven’t heard of it! maybe that will be my treat when i finish the book 🙂
      xoxo

      • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 5:10 pm

        Widget=plugin haha
        (Not techie at all)

  31. Amanda on January 7, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    I had LASIK last month and it has changed my life! I was a nervous nelly for about 10 years just thinking about it, but finally decided to go for it (pushed by the fact we’re climbing Kilimanjaro in March and I didn’t want to be dealing with contacts or glasses on a mountain side!). What a difference and also a time-saver in my AM/PM routines! 🙂

    Love hearing what other people are listening to for workouts…gives me some good ideas!

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2014 at 4:48 pm

      that’s how i feel about it (you know, minus the mountain climbing part). i’m horrified but i know it would be worth it

  32. caroline Jordan on January 8, 2014 at 1:38 am

    Hello Gina! I LOVE reading your blog and following along. You are awesome 🙂 If you want to mix things up on your spin bike, I just collaborated with a company called virtual active to release these cycling dvds: http://www.vafitness.com/collections/biking-products/products/new_zealand_bike . Would love to hear what you think – and share a workout with you virtually! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 8, 2014 at 10:45 am

      awesome- i’ll definitely check it out!

  33. Lindsay on January 14, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    You should make your playlists on Spotify public and let readers know your username so they (ie – me) can subscribe! It’s super easy and will even push updates to subscribers (ie – my) phones! No worries with copyright or figuring out how to upload a podcast. (Sorry if someone already suggested this in your comments, but it was the first thing I thought of when I read your post and saw the Spotify selfie)

    Thanks!

  34. Colleen on January 23, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    I just read this post today and would LOVE if you did some spinning podcasts. I have found a few posted on a random website that I do every now and then but I would love some more variety. The gym I go to has spinning classes but it’s the same music and workout every week which is boring. They do switch the music/workout up every quarter but after you go once or twice it no longer is as motivating.

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