We can all break the monotony of daily workouts by adding some vibrant hip-hop music to the mix. Without a doubt, music is the quickest way to shake things up and help couch potatoes spring into exercise action. We’ve found 25 of the best hip-hop workout songs to help spice up your gym routine. See if your picks match ours.
25. The Roots - "Here I Come"
© Def Jam Records
The Roots are known for the slick instrumental improvising at their shows, more so than making people bounce, but they have quite a few songs that could amp up a workout. "Here I Come," one of the standout songs on Game Theory, is a gym favorite for many. ("Adrenaline," featuring a sick verse from Beanie Siegel, also comes to mind.)
24. Twista - "Slow Jamz" (Featuring Kanye West and Jamie Foxx)
Ironically, there is nothing slow about this song. The beat remains at a fast tempo and Twista's flow will make anyone pedal faster on the stationary bike. Also good for cool-down routines. (Want an even faster mix? Try the Collipark remix for size.)23. Rob Base and D.J. EZ Rock - "It Takes Two"
This is a super old-school classic that gets everybody up and moving.
22. Pharoahe Monch - "Simon Says"
© Rawkus
When Pharoahe spits "Simon says, get the f*ck up" in the infectious hook, you’ll eagerly comply.
21. Kanye West - "The New Workout Plan"
© Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam
You can bet that Kanye's "New Workout Plan" is on rotation in iPods at gyms all over the world.
20. Black Sheep - "The Choice Is Yours"
I dare you not to pick up the workout pace to this song especially after the "engine, engine, number nine" chant.
18. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - "Get Low"
© TVT
To the window, to the wall, 'till the sweat drops down your... ah, well any part of your anatomy as you keep it movin’ to this strip club anthem.
17. T.I. - "What You Know"
The video features the lithe MC bench pressing, but the song is about pushing weight of a different kind entirely.
16. C & C Music Factory - "Gonna Make You Sweat"
Yes, I know this sounds like it came from an installment of VH1’s “I Love the 90’s,” but you can bet your last dollar that all the top gyms bumped this song heavily at one point.
