Statistics show that Americans workout the least during the winter than any other season, and that frequent exercise usually drops to its lowest point each year in December. Staying active and going to the gym can have many health benefits, like boosting the body’s defense against viruses and bacteria, and producing endorphins which make you happy and reduce stress. Flu season is approaching, your grandma will soon be baking fresh cookies that you will surely want to eat, and you need good mental health to tackle finals week. These are all valid reasons for why it’s a good idea to hit the gym this month. This is why I decided to make a winter workout playlist filled with great songs to get you pumped to go to the gym instead of staying inside on the couch drinking hot chocolate (as amazing as that sounds). 

Here is the link to the playlist I made on a website called 8tracks: http://8tracks.com/weselakg/winter-workout-playlist-2014

If you haven’t heard of 8tracks yet you should definitely check it out. It gives you a variety of genres to choose from and selects playlists for you according to what you’re looking for. The only downside is that you have a limited number of tracks per hour, so I’ll list all of the songs on the playlist at the end of this article so you can search for them individually if you’d like.   

If you’re bored with workouts and looking for something new, use the songs on this playlist to facilitate your workout. Get on a treadmill or your cardio machine of choice and do the following: 

• When a song sung by a female plays, increase the incline on the treadmill to 75-100% and speed walk. When a song sung by a male plays, lower the incline to 0-25% and jog at a comfortable pace. When a song with both male and female vocals plays, jog at moderate pace with incline at 50%. Do this for at least five songs.  
• Right before the chorus of a song comes on, increase the speed of the treadmill dramatically and sprint until the chorus ends. Use the other parts of the song to speed walk or slow jog in order to recover. Do this for at least six songs. 
• Run at a quick pace for two songs. Next, walk at a brisk pace for one song. Repeat at least twice. 
• When a new song begins, go to a mat and get in plank position. Hold your plank for the duration of each chorus, and rest during the other parts. Do the opposite if you have strong abs and can stay in the position for longer. Do the same thing but with bicycle kicks and crunches instead of plank. 

List of songs on the Winter Workout Playlist:

1. "GDFR" by Flo Rida ft. Sage the Gemini
2. "KANYE (Instant Party remix)" by The Chainsmokers
3. "Break the Sun (bvnny mashup)" Dillion Francis x Charlie XCX x Ellie Goulding x Strange Talk x Young Dro
4. "Our Story" by Mako
5. "Undressed" by Kim Cesarion
6. "Rappin' A$$ Rappers" by G-Eazy ft. Mod Sun & Meta
7. "We Make This Generation Bounce" (Koyote edit) 
8. "The Days" by Avicii
9. "Somebody Loves You" by Betty Who
10. "Dear Boy" by Avicii
11. "Beggin' For Thread (Gryffin and Hotel Garuda Remix)" by BANKS
12. "Say My Name (RAC Mix)" by ODESZA
13. "Ugly Heart" by G.R.L
14. "Shut Up and Dance" by Walk the Moon
15. "United States of Pop 2014 (Do What You Wanna Do)" by DJ Earworm
16. "Runaway (U&I)" by Galantis
17. "Sparks (Vicetone Remix)" by Fedde Le Grande & Nicky Romero ft. Matthew Koma
18. "Stronger" by Dj Eli ft. Ariana Grande & The Weekend
19. "3005 SKULS RIP" by Childish Gambino
20. "Bad" by David Guetta & Showtek ft. Vassy
21. "Geronimo" ft. Sheppard
22. "Bring Em Home (Gold Jacket Remix)" by D.Veloped
23. "L.A. Love (La La)" by Fergie ft. YG
24. "Holdin' On" by Flume
25. "Melbourne Bounce (Deorro Remix)" by Orkestrated Fries Shine ft. Big Nab
26. "Shatter Me" by Lindsey Stirling ft. Lzzy Hale
27. "I Bet My Life" by Imagine Dragons

One final song, "Try" by Colbie Caillat, isn't on the playlist because it isn't a pump up song, but you should still listen to it anyway. It has a beautiful message for girls about inner beauty, and the tune is really catchy too. Here is the link to the music video for it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoZLPSw8U8