Typically, when you think of cowboys or rednecks you think about them taking their frustrations out on the gun range or going muddin'. I have some experience on the range, and absolutely none making a mess on the exterior of a truck- what I do is box. Considering I feel like a cowboy, I find it fitting this week to suggest some country music for y'all when you box.

1. "Something in the Water" by Carrie Underwood

This is a great song to warm up to- the song, like your work-out, builds up momentem and force and, if you're anything like me and pay attention to the lyrics, its a great song that tells the story of being in a dark place and realizing the light and better side of life.

2. "Two Black Cadillacs" by Carrie Underwood

3. "Blown Away" by Carrie Underwood

4. "Little Toy Guns" by Carrie Underwood

5. "Church Bells" by Carrie Underwood

I love these songs because A) Carrie Underwood is wonderful and B) she is able to convey the anger that needs to be released when I hit the bag. The stories in these songs vary a little bit- "Blown Away" and "Little Toy Guns" revolve around a broken and abusive family, and "Church Bells" and "Two Black Cadillacs" tell the stories of women being in an abusive or negligent relationship. With emotion being driven through the bass drum and guitar, as well as Underwood's voice carrying its own emotion, it is hard to not love these songs when trying to let go.

6. "Man Against Machine" by Garth Brooks

The titular song of his most recent album, Brooks' song actually tells the story of fighting a war- just not the war you probably imagine. It tells the story of his fight against the music industry, and the sounds of two industrial pipes hitting each other (which is reminiscent of the trailer for "The Last of Us" video game if that helps you imagine it) really pumps me up and I love it every single time.

7. "Fly Over States" by Jason Aldean

8. "Tattoos on this Town" by Jason Aldean

Say what you want about "bro country," but I think these are two of Aldean's best pieces in general. I put these on my boxing playlist because they convey a raw emotion that is hard to define or put into a single word- there's just this real, natural intensity that I find in these that I don't find in his other radio hits and they always get me to go harder.

9. "How Country Feels" by Randy Houser

I love this song, not because it's a good boxing song, but the imagery it provokes for me is just great- wide open spaces, getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city/suburbs, seeing the countless stars when the sun sets- all without slowing down the beat and becoming a ballad, which usually doesn't help you if you're trying to get pumped up.

10. "Country Nation" by Brad Paisley

Even though it's a little cliched, the message Paisley puts in this song is interesting and shares a message from a song that Brantley Gilbert put out- country is country wide. A song that sounds like it would pump up a college football arena is perfect for an individual wanting to rough up a nylon bag. It even names off several South Eastern Conference teams if that helps you get in the mood to box. And speaking of Brantley Gilbert...

11. "Country Must Be Country Wide" by Brantley Gilbert

12. "One Hell of an Amen" by Brantley Gilbert

Hey, will you look at that! Brantley Gilbert is kind of outlaw country, and if you don't know what that means, it means rough country mixed with rock. Starting off soft, the songs build up and really get you pumped up and ready to go.

"One Hell of an Amen" gets to your emotions- Gilbert tells the story of the loss of two friends, and if the combination of those human emotions attached to loss and the edginess of his music will get you either committed to that bag of just pissed off in general because you can relate.

13. "Small Town Throwdown" by Brantley Gilbert (featuring Thomas Rhett and Justin Moore)

"Small Town Throwdown" is a great song, again a little cliched but still fun to jam out to. The song features a wicked drum and guitar that will get you ready to pick a fight with your bag, and soon enough you'll be bobbing and weaving imaginary hits.

If you box, I hope you check these out. If you don't box but do lift, these songs still work out great.