25) The Roots - "Here I Come"
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) Rob Base and D.J. EZ Rock - "It Takes Two"
This is a super old-school classic that gets everybody up and moving
23) Pharoahe Monch - "Simon Says"
When Pharoahe spits "Simon says, get the f*ck up" in the infectious hook, you’ll eagerly comply.
22) 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.)
21) Kanye West - "The New Workout Plan"
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.
19)Wu-Tang Clan - "Protect Ya Neck"
A classic Wu song and a real body mover.
18) Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz - "Get Low"
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.
15) M.O.P. - "Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory)"
This is an aggressive street anthem that will make you want to get to the nearest punching bag and go wild.
14) LL Cool J - "Mama Said Knock You Out"
A lot of guys probably saw a muscular L.L. at the punching bag and decided they were long overdue in starting their own exercise programs. It was also the proverbial walk-to-the-ring song for professional boxers in the '90s.
13) A Tribe Called Quest - "Scenario"
Tribe was usually known for super mellow jazzed-out tunes. This is no exception to their smoothness, but speed up the beat, add Busta Rhymes and you’ve got a real kick-*** workout track.
12) Trick Daddy - "Take It to Da House"
RecordsThe video features Trick Daddy and Trina at a high school pep rally. The happy sample from K.C. and the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes" makes for upbeat fun.
11) DJ UNK - "Walk It Out"
Big dance songs inevitably make for some of the best workout music. "Walk It Out" is no exception, especially the remix. As soon as you hear Andre 3000 say "I walk it out like an usher…" It's on!
10) House of Pain - "Jump Around"
Can you really remember any other songs by this group anyway? This is arguably one of the hypest workout songs ever.
9) Daddy Yankee - "Gasolina"
Even if you don’t speak a word of Spanish, you’re going to get pumped up when the beat drops.
8) Soulja Boy - "Crank That"
Yes, the most ubiquitous song ever definitely makes the list. In fact, I was working out at my fitness club when one of the employees and a club patron broke out into the "Crank That" dance in the middle of the floor. For just a second, I was tempted to jump off the treadmill and join them.
7) Eminem - "Lose Yourself"
"Lose Yourself" has the double advantage of being both inspirational and instructional. Em instructs you to "lose yourself in the moment," while the beat motivates you to move your feet. Whether you're gearing up for warm-up or cool-down, the mid-tempo pace will definitely get your body moving.
6) Crime Mob - "Knuck If You Buck"
You're bound to move with the hard-edged crunk that's all about a good fight here.
5) 50 Cent - "In Da Club"
"In Da Club" is absolutely one of the best hip-hop workout songs, mostly because of the catchy, well-paced beat. The video features 50 training for endurance to succeed in the rap game, and many have been following suit to get in shape in their own lives.
4) Onyx - "Slam"
"Slam" is arguably Onyx's biggest song ever. It's also a perfect song for any kind of exercise.
3) Luke - "I Wanna Rock"
This is a super high energy, high bpm joint that will definitely burn calories. Just keeping up with the beat alone is enough to make you sweat.
2) Kanye West - "Stronger"
A good friend of mine is a spin instructor at a gym in her area, and Kanye’s Daft Punk-driven mega-hit is just one weapon in her arsenal.
1) OutKast - "B.O.B"
If this doesn’t make you move, you don’t have a pulse. The lead single off the classic Stankonia album is a sure enough gym-banger.