If you read many of my blogs here, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you know how much I love finding and sharing great workout music. Why? We all know it and research even proves it: listening to fast paced and upbeat music makes working out more fun. It pushes you to work harder while making you feel like your workout isn't so hard. And in some cases, it can motivate and energize you to get out the door when you're thinking of skipping a workout. One of the best motivators for me is to constantly add new songs to my workout playlists so that my workouts always seem fresh and interesting.

Recently, we surveyed our members to find out what kind of music they like best, and we used those results to develop the first-ever SparkPeople workout mixes, created in partnership with Yes! Fitness Music.  I worked directly with the music experts as Yes! to develop five distinct music mixes to help motivate you through your workouts.

Here are 4 reasons why you should download these mixes today:

1. Every song has been mixed to a specific tempo to help you work out at the right intensity. Since music speed affects your workout intensity, you're guaranteed to exercise at the right tempo with these non-stop mixes.
    
2. You get a downloadable and printable booklet with each mix, which includes fitness and motivation tips. Every workout mix also includes a cardio workout I designed to accompany that specific playlist, too (more details below)! Please note that downloadable booklets are only available on iTunes purchases.
    
3. For a limited time, you can download each mix for just $7.99. That price will increase in the future, so get yours for the low introductory price while you can! $7.99 isn't much to pay for a little extra motivation. Plus SparkPeople earns revenue from every purchase, so this is just one more of the ways you can show your support and help us keep the site free.
    
4. These mixes feature songs you know and love—a combination of rock, pop, and hip hop from several decades—so that there's something for everyone to enjoy. And every song has "clean" lyrics, too.

Below, check out SparkPeople's workout mixes (including  links to preview and/or purchase your favorites from iTunes). ETA 9/26/11: Thanks to your suggestions and feedback, our mixes are now available from Amazon.com, too. To order from amazon.com, click here.

Cardio Workout Mix
Designed to help you work out at the right pace during cardio. Purchase includes a bonus booklet with tips to get the most from your cardio routine, plus a 60-minute workout that I designed to work with any cardio machine in the gym!


Inspiration Mix
Designed to be lyrically-driven, you can listen to the uplifting songs on this mix when you need to find your motivation to get back on track, or when you need a boost during your workouts. Purchase includes a bonus booklet with motivation tips and inspirational quotations you can print and hang up.


Walking Workout Mix
The perfect walking companion, every song in this workout mix is set to the ideal pace for brisk walking! Purchase includes a bonus booklet with walking tips and a walking workout I designed to match up with the music.

 
Interval Workout Mix
This mix alternates between fast paced songs and slower paced songs so it's the perfect companion to your interval workouts. Purchase includes a bonus booklet with interval training tips and a cardio workout I designed to accompany the music.


Motivation Mix
This mix is full of get-up-and go songs that are fast paced and fun. When you listen to it, you won't be able to sit still! Purchase includes a bonus booklet with motivational tips and inspirational quotations you can print and display.


What do you think of the workout mixes? What other types of music would you like to see from SparkPeople?

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ETA: Thanks to your suggestions and feedback, our mixes are now available from Amazon.com, too. To order from amazon.com, click here.