Best Workout Songs of 2012

I don’t know what you like to listen to when you exercise, but I do need something that gets my blood going. You know, those really descriptive songs that tell you exactly what you need to do? Yes, those. The ones that you try to sing along to but have no idea what the musician is saying. Basically, angry music.

Getting through a tough workout can be, well, tough. But your music affects your energy level too, and so your playlist could be the difference between you completing your routine, or faltering halfway. I do not change my workout music as often as I’d like, but there are some songs that I know will get me through a tough workout. It does change every year, and since we just started the year, I thought I’d share some of the music that got me through some tough runs in 2012.

Pink – Blow Me One Last Kiss
Neon Trees – Everybody Talks
Calvin Harris and Florence Welch – Sweet Nothing
Kanye West – Clique
Cher Lloyd – Want you Back
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop
Rihanna & Chris Brown – Birthday Cake
Maroon 5 – One More Night
Psy – Gangnam Style
Usher – Scream
Linkin Park – Burn it Down
Adele – Rumor Has it

So if you were looking for some great angry music to punch that bag to, there you go! What was on your workout playlist for 2012?

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Photo credit: angrytrainerfitness.com

Interview with Cool Kay: Music is All I Do

An artist who is passionate about music and passionate about his body? Sign me up! I got a chance to talk to a budding recording artist, Cool Kay, about his music, and of course, his fitness regimen. The "Wind of Change" and "Molenu" rapper gave me some deets about what is currently happening with his music.

Eights & Weights: So tell us a little about Cool Kay? How did you get into music?

Cool Kay: Well, my name is Kayode Adekoya, and I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. I fell in love with music at a really young age. And no matter what I did, it continued to grow with time. After a while, I guess others noticed my affinity for music and started coming up to me to write songs for them. The more I got involved, the more it struck me that this was what I wanted to do with my life.

Eights & Weights: We've heard good and bad things about the Nigerian music industry. How difficult has it been getting into it? What kind of music out right now has served to inspire you?
Cool Kay: There is a good and bad side to every music industry. But if you work extremely hard, put in all the energy and consistency you’ve got, you will find a way to succeed. I fight for my music because it is my passion. So many artists in Nigeria have inspired me, and I don’t think I’ll be able to list them all out here. But there are so many rap and R&B artists both in Nigeria and around the world that have inspired me.

Eights & Weights: Obviously, after looking at a few pictures of you working out, I would say you spend some time on your muscles. At Eights & Weights, we are fiercely trying to promote health and fitness awareness, especially in Africa. What do you do on a daily basis to stay healthy? Is that something that is important to you?
Cool Kay: Fitness is necessary, period. I would advise everyone to get involved in some sort of physical activity. Trust me, your body will thank you later. I’m basically either making music or working out. When am not writing or recording, I make sure I hit the gym 3-4 times a week. I always have a planned out gym routine for the week to work on my muscles. Do you want to hear it?

Eights & Weights: Of course! That’s what we are here for!
Cool Kay: Okay, so I have a 4 times/week plan. On day 1, I focus on my chest and biceps, followed by 30 minutes of high-intensity cardio. On day 2, I focus on legs, triceps, and abs, followed by 30 minutes of high-intensity cardio. On day 3, I focus on my shoulders and back, followed by 30 minutes of high-intensity cardio. On day 4, I focus on chest, biceps, and abs.
Eights & Weights: That’s a lot of high-intensity cardio. I like it, especially since men sometimes think they don’t need to be doing cardio.

Eights & Weights: Have you found it difficult to stay physically active and eat healthy in Nigeria?
Cool Kay: Personally, I would say it’s not that difficult to stay healthy in Nigeria. A lot of the food is natural and fresh, and moderation really is key. I think that is where people struggle the most.

Eights & Weights: Alright on to you and what you have in the works. What music do you have out right now?
Cool Kay: A song called "MOLENU" which is already getting good response from the listeners.

Eights & Weights: Nice, so will we be seeing performances of Molenu soon? What can we expect from you in the near future?
Cool Kay: You’ll definitely be seeing some performances soon. I just released the new single and we have just started working on the online promo. After that, you will hear some airplay and then you’ll start to see more performances. Stay in touch with me online to find out what I have going on.

Eights & Weights: Great. Where can readers find out more about Cool Kay and your performances?

Cool Kay: You can find or hit me up on the following:
Twitter: @Coolkaymuzik
Reverbnation: Coolkaymuzik
Facebook: Coolkaymuzik

Eights & Weights: What would readers be surprised to know about you?
Cool Kay: I don't think I have done anything very crazy except for the fact that I could be in the studio for a whole week without coming out just doing what I love doing best: music.

Listen to Molenu below

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

Cheers Eights & Weights!

Swing your Mood

First off, tomorrow is my birthday. Happy birthday to me!

Last week, I was reading a great article in SELF magazine about what makes people happy (This is the second time I’m promoting these people. Where’s my own cut?). I really want to share this because with the 9 to 5 and all the crazy things going on in our lives, sometimes we need to take a minute or two each day to do something that can improve our moods, and our mental/physical strength.

Here are a few of the takeaways from the article that can make us happier people:

• Charity work: When you help someone else, it can drastically change your view of the world, and make you a much happier person. And if you’re doing something physical, you can build your strength as well.
• Calling mum: This requires that you have a good relationship with your mother. But when you’re having a terrible day, a phone call to your mum can give your mood a 180 degree turn. Whether it’s because she gives great advice or because she is the one person that believes in you the most, I’ll never know.
• Take a walk: In the corporate environment, we are beginning to carry our work everywhere with us. It’s literally on our minds 24/7. But if you take a walk without the constant reminder of work around you i.e. the papers, computers, etc., you’ll clear your mind and be more refreshed (and burn some calories too!). Take the walk with your significant other, and you’ll even use the time to both clear your mind and recharge your relationship.
• Wash your hands: Okay, this was new to me too. But apparently washing your hands helps you feel more certain about a decision. Maybe because we feel like we’re wiping the slate clean. Certainty equals less anxiety.

So what are some of the things that make me happy?

• Prayer and meditation: There's nothing like that feeling when you've aired your mind out to God, and you're at peace. 
• Talking to my brothers: My brothers are like my best friends. So when I have had a bad day, I call one of my brothers because they are guaranteed to say something that would cheer me up.
• Dancing: Sometimes, I can just get home, take off my clothes, and start doing some ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ moves. Dancing always clears my head, and hey, it burns some calories too :-)
• Exercise: You didn’t think I’d skip this, right? How long have you known me? There’s nothing like that feeling after a run or a yoga class. It may hurt while I’m doing it, but the rewards are so worth it.
• A hot cuppa: Tea calms me. So if I’ve been running around, and I can’t find my bearing for some reason, I sit down and drink a cup of tea. Twinings Earl Grey with some honey is my favorite. And the aroma is fantastic too.
• My telly: I love TV shows because I can get invested in a character and watch him/her (mostly him) for years. By the way, this excludes reality TV (if I have to hear one more Big Brother tweet!). My favorite funny TV shows on right now are White Collar, How I Met your Mother, Royal Pains, Cougar Town, and since most of the others are on hiatus, I won’t blow up your screen with the list (but can I just say White Collar again?). 
• PBJ without the J: I love peanut butter. And on this lovely wheat bagel I’ve discovered? Yum. My colleague calls it a choke sandwich. It’s just too good.
• Good food: Funnily, I decided to mention this right after peanut butter. But bad food, although good for an instant, actually affects my mood later on. When I eat healthy, I have more energy, and feel more satisfied with myself, which equals a happier me.
• Music: I love music, anything from Eminem to Chrisette Michele to Ingrid Michaelson to Paramore. Someone told me a few days ago that if you hear me speak and then hear me rap along to Drake, you would never ever guess it was the same person. What can I say? I just love music.

What are some of the things that make you happy?

What’s on Your Workout Playlist?

When we get into the gym, we just want to go, go, go. But sometimes, we don’t realize that the music we listen to may be holding us back during our workout routine. Music affects your emotions, which in turn affect your energy level. And so high-intensity workouts are better with high-intensity music. If you’re listening to ‘My Heart will go on’ as you run (ummm…), you’re probably not going to have the energy to run as fast as you probably can. Since it’s actually pretty difficult to put together songs that best match your workout mood, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of my favorite workout songs. For example, if you want to get me going, Ciara ft. Missy’s ‘Work’ will do the trick every time. It does not matter how I’m feeling, I will hop on that treadmill. And Drake just makes me want to do push-ups. I have no idea why. Eminem's music makes me want to punch a bag, but that's relatively understandable. Please share your favorite workout music too!

Tearing up the treadmill
Work – Ciara ft. Missy Elliott
Shawty Get Loose – Lil’ Mama ft. Chris Brown and T-Pain
All I do is Win – DJ Khalid ft. Various artists
Baby – LL Cool J
Bumper to Bumper – Wande Coal
Commander – Kelly Rowland
Crush Crush Crush – Paramore
Na-Nana-Na – Nelly ft. Jazzy Phe
Get Your Money Up – Keri Hilson ft. Keisha Cole and Nicki Minaj
I can transform ya – Chris Brown
I don’t Care – Ricky Martin ft. Fat Joe and Amerie
Misery Business – Paramore
Swagger Like Us – Lil’ Wayne, Jay-Z, T.I., Kanye West
Proud to be African – 2face and Wyclef
You bad – Wande Coal ft. D’Banj

My Muscles Say Aah! (Strength Training)
Bizzy body – P Square
La Tortura – Shakira
Say Aah – Trey Songz ft. Fabolous
Rock Star – Rihanna
Forever – Drake ft. Kanye, Lil’ Wayne and Eminem
Winner – Jamie Foxx ft. Justin Timberlake
Wait a Minute – Pussy Cat Dolls ft. Timbaland
Over – Drake
Overboard – Ingrid Michaelson
American Boy – Estelle ft. Kanye

Yoga-nese (Stretching music)
Blame it on me – Chrissette Michele
How do I Breathe – Mario
Soulmate – Natasha Bedingfield
Halo – Beyonce
Unthinkable – Alicia Keys
This Woman’s Work – Maxwell
Already Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Happy – Leona Lewis
So Sick – Ne-Yo
I’m Yours – The Script

Getting my Mohammed Ali on (Punching bag)
Faint – Linkin Park
Decoy – Paramore
Kolomental – Faze
Walk Away – Kelly Clarkson
Don’t Let Me Stop You – Kelly Clarkson
Blah Blah Blah – Kesha
Wall to Wall – Chris Brown
Not Afraid – Eminem
Make Me Better – Fabolous ft. Ne-Yo
I Caught Myself – Paramore

Do you have any favorite workout music? Share them with us.

Cheers 'Eights' and 'Weights'!