Resolved to get fit in 2021? 15 songs to help you get moving and motivated
It's an annual tradition: The arrival of a new year means a slew of resolutions.
For many, they include fitness and weight loss goals. That's likely to continue in 2021 after many Americans complained about putting on the "Quarantine 15" during the coronavirus lockdown.
A crucial part of any workout is your soundtrack. The right tunes can help you run that last mile, lift those extra 20 pounds or up the resistance on your stationary bike.
Bryan Gonzales, an instructor at LOVE Cycling Studio in Austin, Texas spends a great deal of time searching for the right songs for his classes.
"As fitness instructors we strive to find music that makes people want to move and inspires them to push themselves a little further than they otherwise would," he said. "Whether it’s a dancey track, a catchy melody or driving beat, we want songs that make people want to feel the pulse of the music with their bodies."
Gonzales says dance pop (think Lady Gaga, Madonna, Katy Perry or Miley Cyrus), EDM (like Deadmau5 and Marshmello) and reggaeton (including J Balvin and Maluma) are some of his go-to genres.
"Whether you’re having a bad day or you’re just in a foul mood, the right song can instantly turn all of that around," Gonzales said. "Plus, when your favorite song comes on and you weren’t expecting it, you get a sudden burst of energy and who doesn’t want that?"
So what's on Gonzales' workout playlist? His favorite is "Taki Taki" by DJ Snake featuring Cardi B, Ozuna and Selena Gomez.
"I love that the song is equal parts English and Spanish. I grew up in San Antonio, the son of an English teacher and Spanish professor, so learning the lyrics was both challenging and fun, and reminded me of my hometown and heritage. I always like to share a little of myself with the people who take my class."
Here are 15 more tracks to help you get moving and achieve your fitness goals in 2021. Some are merely fun bops while others have motivating lyrics.
'Good Vibrations,' Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
"Yo! It's about that time // To bring forth the rhythm and the rhyme // I'ma get mine so get yours // I wanna see sweat comin' out your pores."
'Don’t Stop the Music,' Rihanna
"It's getting late, I'm making my way over to my favorite place // I gotta get my body moving, shake the stress away // I wasn't looking for nobody when you looked my way // Possible candidate, yeah."
'Get Lucky,' Daft Punk
"We've come too far // To give up who we are // So let's raise the bar // And our cups to the stars."
'Survivor,' Destiny’s Child
"I'm a survivor // I'm not gon' give up // I'm not gon' stop // I'm gon' work harder // I'm a survivor // I'm gonna make it // I will survive // Keep on survivin'."
'Titanium,' David Guetta featuring Sia
"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose // Fire away, fire away // Ricochet, you take your aim // Fire away, fire away // You shoot me down, but I won't fall // I am titanium."
'Stronger,' Kanye West
"N-now th-that that don't kill me // Can only make me stronger // I need you to hurry up now // 'Cause I can't wait much longer // I know I got to be right now // 'Cause I can't get much wronger // Man I've been waiting all night now // That's how long I been on ya // I need you right now."
'SexyBack,' Justin Timberlake featuring Timbaland
"I'm bringin' sexy back (Yeah) // Them other boys don't know how to act (Yeah) // I think it's special, what's behind your back (Yeah) // So turn around and I'll pick up the slack. (Yeah)"
'Higher Love,' Kygo and Whitney Houston
"Think about it, there must be a higher love // Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above // Without it, life is wasted time // Look inside your heart, and I'll look inside mine."
'Royals,' Lorde
"And we'll never be royals (Royals) // It don't run in our blood // That kind of luxe just ain't for us // We crave a different kind of buzz."
'Are You Gonna Go My Way,' Lenny Kravitz
"But what I really want to know is // Are you gonna go my way? // And I got to got to know // Are you gonna go my way? // 'Cause baby I got to know // Yeah."
'Electric Feel,' MGMT
"All along the Eastern shore // Put your circuits in the sea // This is what the world is for // Making electricity // You can feel it in your mind // Oh, you can do it all the time // Plug it in, change the world // You are my electric girl."
'Pound The Alarm,' Nicki Minaj
"Oh, oh, oh, come fill my glass up a little more // We 'bout to get up and burn this floor // You know we getting hotter and hotter // Sexy and hotter, let's shut it down."
'Hey Ya,' OutKast
"One, two, three! // My baby don't mess around // Because she loves me so // This I know fo sho!"
'Happy,' Pharrell Williams
"(Because I'm happy) // Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof // (Because I'm happy) // Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth // (Because I'm happy) // Clap along if you know what happiness is to you."
'Start Me Up,' The Rolling Stones
"I've been running hot // You got me ticking gonna blow my top // If you start me up // If you start me up I'll never stop // Never stop, never stop, never stop."