Workout Music Vol. 9: Jen Jewell's Barbell Beats Playlist

Sometimes all you need for a training session is great music. If your gym playlist isn't set up yet, borrow Jen Jewell's. It's perfect for every workout!

Jen Jewell has one of the best bodies in the industry. She also has one of the most fun personalities.

This killer combination of awesomeness and aesthetics has made her a star in the WBFF and a go-to expert for training advice and motivation.

Jen didn't earn her fitness-industry fame by chance, though. You better believe that Jen works hard for career and her physique.

Meet her in person, check out her BodySpace, or look at her Instagram and you have to wonder what kind of music a bubbly person like Jen listens to when she's crushing a workout.

The answer might surprise you. Here's Jen Jewell's barbell beats playlist!

How does music influence your workouts?

Music makes all of my workouts better! Whether I'm stepping away on the step mill, running stairs by the beach, or pushing some weight in the gym, music plays a key role. There are days when I head out to do cardio and my energy levels aren't quite as high as they usually are, but once I put the headphones on and tune into some of my favorite Pandora stations, I automatically crank up the intensity.

The music played in most gyms can be a real drag—you know, the random assortment of sad 80s love songs to the latest top 40 Bieber hit—so when I want to listen to music that motivates me to push harder, work out longer, lift heavier, I turn to the Dr. Dre or Jay-Z stations on Pandora. I love the assortment of old school rap, new releases, and greatest hits. The beats really help my workouts. I may even rap along sometimes?

How has fitness improved your life?

Fitness has improved my life in more ways than I can count. Since embracing a healthy and fit lifestyle year-round, I am now at my healthiest and happiest I've ever been. I am far more productive in my professional life as well; the work I do now is truly rewarding because I help others on a daily basis.

I have also found that the more fitness-related goals that I set for myself, the more motivated I become to achieve those goals. Then I aim higher, set more goals, and repeat. It is amazing what achieving even just one simple goal can do to improve your mindset and determination!

Fitness also helps me stay focused—there is always room for improvement in one way or another. Whether I have a new physique goal, or am challenging myself to run a few extra miles than normal, or setting a new personal record in the weight room, the fire to improve is always ignited.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

I stumbled across this Mark Twain quotation a few years ago. It prompted me to finally give fitness a real shot. I dare you to read it and not be called to some sort of action:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

What sort of tips would you give to a newbie?

"Too often I've seen people give up and shrug off their fitness if they don't achieve drastic results in a short amount of time. Understand that you're making the commitment for the long haul."

I always have my new clients create short-term goals (within the next 30 days) and long-term goals (3-6 months). Having established goals automatically provides more focus and direction to your fitness.

These goals don't have to be weight-loss centered; they can be as simple as "I want to go to the gym 3-4 times per week for the next 30 days." A goal like that can be a bit less daunting and far more realistic than "Lose 15 pounds in the first two weeks."

Setting an aggressive weight-loss goal often does more harm than good. Too often I've seen people give up and shrug off their fitness if they don't achieve drastic results in a short amount of time. Understand that you're making the commitment for the long haul. You're making a lifestyle change, not going on a two-week crash diet.

Once you have established these goals, make sure that you also have a plan of attack. Even an outline of the steps you need to take in order to achieve this goal will make your success seem much more achievable.

If your goal is to go to the gym 3-4 days a week for the first 30 days, plan ahead to eliminate excuses. Pack your gym bag before you go to work or always have workout gear in your car. That way you'll never "not have time" to get to the gym after work!

Lastly, cast aside any and all self-doubt! Having a positive mindset and truly believing that you are capable of achieving these goals can really change the game. Results will not happen overnight, but all progress—no matter how large or small—is progress and will ultimately bring results!

Who is your biggest fitness inspiration?

My clients! I interact with my clients via Skype or email and I cannot stress enough how much inspiration I get from them on a daily basis. My clients are all ages, male and female, and have various fitness goals. But the one thing that they all have in common is how incredibly determined they all are to achieve their goals. Many of them are married, have children, and work full-time, but they still make their health and fitness a priority.



What's also amazing is that they are all so incredibly supportive and encouraging of whatever I am doing in fitness, too. Whether I am preparing for a shoot, have written a new article that's been published, or am counting down to the WBFF World Championships, my clients are every bit of supportive of me as I am of them.




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