Best Workout Songs for the Treadmill

Working out on the treadmill is one of the best and easiest ways to get exercise, but it's sheer drudgery without the benefit of some workout songs to keep you moving. Here are some suggestions for music to load into your iPod for a great treadmill workout:

To Get Warmed Up:

"#1 Crush" by Garbage: The long, sexy buildup to this song makes it a perfect intro to your warmup. Cue Shirley Manson's alto growl and start throwing in synthesizer riffs and a repetitive, driving beat, and you will easily get a rhythm to your step.

"You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate - This 70s R&B jam is funky and melodic and will keep you moving and maybe even singing along.

"Family Affair" by Mary J. Blige - This is the "let's get it crunk up in this dancery" song, in case the title doesn't ring a bell. A very steady upbeat tempo and lots of pattering words slipping from the lips of Miss Mary will have you listening so hard you'll forget you're exercising.

"Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen - This is a song with a great, driving bassline to keep you stepping, and you can totally rock out when the last verse goes up an octave and Freddie starts really bringing it!

To Get Your Blood Pumping

"Switch" by Will Smith - The clapping rhythm really gets you in the groove and keeps you there. The song is very playful, like most all of Will's stuff, and it will have you bopping along joyfully.

"Why Can't I Be You?" by The Cure - You might be surprised at the thought of working out to a Cure song, but this one is very fast-tempo and the big horn sound makes it quite jazzy and lively. Robert Smith's vocals are very bright and lilting (can you believe it?)

"Maneater" by Nelly Furtado - here's a song to feel sexy to--as you step along, pretend you're strutting your badass self into a club as all heads turn to watch you!

"Wherever, Whenever" by Shakira - Shakira's sexy howling vocals and the mesmerizing drumbeats of this exotic and thundering song really keep you moving.

"I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness - This song is just flat-out fun, for those of you who want to rock.

To Go Flat-Out

"Sandstorm" by Darude - This song is a club classic, building up to an amazing all-out frenzy, then giving you a rest-break in the middle before doing it all over again. Very good for interval training.

"All for You" by Janet Jackson - Wonderful upbeat dance track will have you running nonstop-just try to stay on the treadmill!

"Turbo Lover" by Judas Priest - For those of you more into rock than dance, this thundering song from the heavy metal gods will have you banging your head while you run (see above advice about staying on the treadmill).

"Love Kills" by Freddie Mercury, from the Metropolis soundtrack. This song may be a little hard to find, but it is worth it. This song has a great running tempo, and of course you can never go wrong with Freddie Mercury's amazing vocals (he made the list twice, didn't he?)

To Cool Down

"Sadeness, pt 1" by Enigma - This mesmerizing song will keep you going at a slower pace so you can start getting your heart rate back to normal.

"Playground Love" by Air - This French group's ambient music is dreamy and will lull you as you wind down from your workout. You may recognize it from the soundtrack of the movie The Virgin Suicides.

"Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground-Here's another slow groove to settle down to. I put this one in for Maria. Hi, Maria! :)

At an average of about 4 minutes apiece, there are more than enough songs here to make a good workout or two. Pick your faves, hop on that treadmill, and have a good workout!