Thirty Songs to Keep You Pumped

Exercising is tough. We are always proud of ourselves when we finish a good workout, but getting to that point is a challenge for many. This is especially true for any type of cardio workout. “How long has it been so far?” is always the question lurking in the mind of one who dislikes working out. And chances are, it hasn’t been that long, because focusing on the time almost guarantees that it will go by extremely slowly.

What you need is a good distraction. You need something that keeps you from looking at your watch. You also need something to help you forget that your buns and thighs are on fire.

What helps get that distraction going? Good music. Think about it: when you are running to a really good beat that makes you want to dance or climb a mountain, you aren’t really thinking about your workout. “Boom, boom, boom” goes the beat, and you are instantly immersed in the song. Before you know it, you’ve listened to five good songs and the endorphins from your workout are surging at full force.

Scientists have even proven those songs we love so much actually do help us work harder during exercise. But the key to having a good workout, where you lose yourself in the music and keep up your pace till the end, is having multiple playlists. Eventually, you’ll get bored with hearing “Livin’ La Vida Loca” over and over again on your workouts. If you keep listening to the same songs, you’re destined to lose interest in the beat. Once that boredom goes on for too long, you may be inclined to stop your workout early, which is something we don’t want!

Those at SELF magazine know how important it is for us to have a varied playlist packed with beats that will inspire us to keep moving. They created a workout list of thirty songs, all featuring a strong beat and uplifting lyrics. This list has been making its way around the Internet, so now we’re passing it on to you!

Download these onto your iPod and get running. Your buns can thank us later.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Stronger," Kanye West

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"On the Floor," J. Lo (featuring Pitbull)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Rolling in the Deep," Adele

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Moves Like Jagger," Maroon 5 (featuring Christina Aguilera)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"I Gotta Feeling," The Black Eyed Peas

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Bad Romance," Lady Gaga

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"You Make Me Feel..." Cobra Starship (featuring Sabi)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Burn It To The Ground," Nickelback

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Poker Face," Lady Gaga

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Where Them Girls At," David Guetta (featuring Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Whip It," Devo

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"That's Not My Name," The Ting Tings

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->Drop It Low," Kat Deluna

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"The Show Goes On," Lupe Fiasco

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Bass Down Low," Dev

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Party Animal," Gucci Mane

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Gotta Get Thru This," Daniel Bedingfield

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Memories," David Guetta (featuring Kid Cudi)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Bounce," Calvin Harris (featuring Kelis)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Hearts on Fire," Cut Copy

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Zero," Yeah Yeah Yeahs

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"We're All No One," Nervo (featuring Afrojack and Steve Aoki)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Little Lion Man," Mumford & Sons

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"The Season," The Dodos

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"You Be Killin' Em," Fabolous

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Lemonade," Gucci Mane

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"On to the Next One," Jay-Z (featuring Swizz Beatz)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Pon De Floor," Major Lazer (featuring VYBZ Kartel)

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]-->"Back In Your Head," Tegan and Sara

<!--[if !supportLists]-->●     <!--[endif]--> "Sexy and I Know It," LMFAO