Whether or not you’ve got a motivating workout playlist ready can mean the difference between giving in to the desire to go home and catch up on several new episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale or running two extra miles you didn’t realize you had in you. But in a world of overplayed hits and an overwhelming selection of tunes from the past, it can be hard to figure out what will really push you to sweat.
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For Nicole Winhoffer, the connection between music and movement is intuitive. Winhoffer is a former Broadway dancer and the creator of The NW Method—a New York City- and Los Angeles-based dance cardio class. She was also Madonna’s go-to trainer for a long time and even choreographed the classes at Madge’s gym, Hard Candy Fitness. (Talk about music muscle!)
So, we turned to her for pro picks. She stacks her own playlists with soul-fueled and powerful beats from artists like Jay-Z and Missy Elliott and classics like Nina Simone and James Brown.
Below, Winhoffer shared a playlist stacked with her of-the-moment song choices that will make you want to squat harder and sweat more. Lace up your shoes and get ready to press play—just don’t forget your headphones.
Nicole Winhoffer’s Ultimate Motivating Workout Playlist
- Pour It Up—Rihanna
- Unforgettable (feat. Swae Lee)—French Montana
- Nice For What—Drake
- Deja Vu (feat. Jay-Z)—Beyoncé
- No Church in The Wild (feat. Frank Ocean)—Kanye West & Jay-Z
- Drip (feat. Migos)—Cardi B
- Your Number—Ayo Jay
- Partouze—Steve Angello & Sebastian Ingrosso
- Lrad—Knife Party
- One Reason (Flex)—Wale, Eric Bellinger
- We Were in Love—Ta-ku
(Photos: Nicole Winhoffer/NW Method)