Top 21 Christian Workout Songs

Looking for a way to enrich your workout with some motivational spiritual tunes? Add these top Christian workout songs to your playlist to help you burn calories while feeding your soul!

1. Move by MercyMe
2. I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
3. I Am Free by Newsboys
4. Light Up The Sky by The After
5. Awake and Alive by Skillet
6. I Will Not Be Moved by Natalie Grant
7. Set Free by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman
8. Get Back Up by TobyMac
9. Strong Tower by Kutless
10. Follow Me There by Third Day
11. Alive by Avalon
12. Fire It Up by Thousand Foot Krutch
13. Courageous by Casting Crowns
14. Sticking with You by Addison Road
15. Invisible by Disciple
16. Filled With Your Glory by Starfield
17. We Need Each Other by Sanctus Real
18. Alive by Rebecca St. James
19. Let the Praises Ring by Lincoln Brewster
20. Live Life Loud by Hawk Nelson
21. Show You Love by Jars of Clay

Have any songs that you want to add? Leave more suggestions for our readers in the comments!

 

 

Creative Ways to Cut Carbs from Your Diet

Carbs aren't bad in and of themselves, but many people eat far too many carbs these days. If you are looking for some creative ways to reduce your carb intake, here are some great tips for you to try and share:

1. Skip The Bun

Instead of having a sandwich on bun or roll, why not try skipping it? You can opt for a lower-carb option instead like a tortilla or pita or just eat the protein and toppings over a salad. These are all healthier options that will bring the carb count down and also reduce your overall caloric intake. If you really cannot bear the idea of eating a deconstructed salad, choosing a whole-wheat bun/roll over a regular white one will at least make the meal a bit healthier.

2. Sub Out Noodles

Pasta is delicious, but if you're trying to cut back on carbs, you have some inventive options to eliminate the noodles from some of your favorite pasta dishes.

• Use broccoli slaw in place of noodles in Italian recipes. Surprisingly, once the broccoli slaw is cooked and topped with tomato sauce, you almost can't tell the difference. 
• Spaghetti squash can be used anywhere where you would find regular noodles in a recipe. Again, it tastes very much like pasta and the consistency is similar as well, which makes it an excellent substitute.
• Stir-fried peppers and onions also provide a good base for chicken, fish and other healthy proteins instead of serving them over noodles.

3. Opt for Better Carbs

Not all carbs are created equal, which means that if you love your carbs, you can always just choose better carbs. Things like black beans are high in protein, which makes them a healthy carb choice over something like corn or bread.

Also, pay attention to the labels on the food that you eat, because many times there are healthier options that you can choose. Things like Barilla Pasta Plus is pasta that is enriched with protein, Omega-3 and other vitamins to give your nutritional intake a boost.

Connecting with Fitness Communities

Having a training partner or plugging into a fitness community is important for athletes of all levels to provide encouragement, accountability and tips/suggestions. But how can you find a group to join? It's actually much simpler than you would imagine. Here are the best ways to find a fitness community to support you in your efforts to get or stay in shape:

Meetups or Local Clubs

Finding people in your local area who share your athletic interests is a great way to meet new people and get active. You don't have to live in a big city to find a local running or biking club, a Meetup for hikers or tennis players. You can even join a local league if playing a team sport like soccer or basketball interests you. Many of these leagues are social as well, which means that you may come out of it with a few more close friends as well.

Classes at a Local Gym

If you have a membership to a local gym, you can join a class that they offer to find more people like you. If they are in the same yoga or spinning class, you can be assured that they enjoy the same type of workouts that you do and if they are members, then they likely live in the area. If you strike up a conversation with someone, don't be afraid to ask him/her to workout with you so that you have a training partner.

Coworkers

You may be surprised to learn that some of your coworkers enjoy the same fitness activities that you do or have the same fitness goals that you do. Getting together before work, during a lunch break or after work to workout provides a great way to stay on track with your workout regimen.

Social Media Groups

There are communities on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms to unite people who like every type of athletic activity that you can imagine. This is a good way to get connected if you enjoy a more niche sport like ballet, fencing or archery. While you will not actually be able to get out and active with these people, they are a good resource for exchanging tips and information about training, diets and other topics.

App-Based Communities

If you use a workout or diet-tracking app on your phone, there are usually communities built in that you can share your data with and connect to in order to have a wellness support system. If you aren't shy about sharing your user profile, this is a convenient way to get connected.

How to Get on American Ninja Warrior

If you are an aspiring American Ninja Warrior, you can get on the show in one of two ways:

1. Submitting an application to be chosen to appear on the show
2. Participating as a walk-on in one of the cities where qualifying takes place

Applications are now open, so you can go directly to the American Ninja Warrior casting site to apply. You will have to submit a picture of yourself and a video explaining why you think you deserve a shot. Contestants are urged to be memorable and show off their skills to impress the producers and win them over. Then, wait for a response.

If you don't get chosen, you still have a shot to compete as a walk-on. When ANW holds qualifying in cities across the US, you can get in line to compete. Just know that you will likely have to get there a few days early and camp out in a vehicle or outdoors and wait for a chance to compete. The schedule for 2015 hasn't been released yet, but last year they were in Dallas, Denver, Miami, St. Louis and Venice Beach.

Good luck! And remember, if you want to compete on a ninja warrior-style course a little closer to home, Rockford Ninja Warrior is an annual event! Come out and show your support for a great cause!

Superfoods for A Ninja Diet

Looking to amp up your diet to keep you healthy and give you fuel to get up the warped wall? Look no further than these superfoods!

1. Blueberries
Contains: Antioxidants, Phytoflavinoids
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, Lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer, Neutralizes free radicals

2. Salmon
Contains: Omega-3, Selenium, Vitamin B
Benefits: Lowers risk of heart disease, Helps with arthritis, Aids in memory retention, Reduces depression, Helps prevent cell damage, Increases circulation, Improves ratio of good to bad cholesterol
3. Flax Seed and Walnuts
Contains: Omega-3, Monosaturated fats
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol

4. Tofu
Contains: Soy
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol

5. Black Beans
Contains: Fiber, Protein
Benefits: Helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, Keeps you fuller longer

6. Green Tea
Contains: Antioxidants
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol, May help to prevent some cancers, Lowers stress

7. 60% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
Contains: Antioxidants
Benefits: Lowers blood pressure

8. Tomatoes
Contains: Lycopene, Fiber, Potassium, Vitamin C
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol, Protects against UV rays, Lowers the risk of some cancers

9. Kale
Contains: Phytonutrients
Benefits: Lowers the risk of multiple types of cancer

10. Broccoli
Contains: Phytonutrients, Vitamin C, Folic acid
Benefits: Boosts immunity, Lowers the risk of cancer, May suppress tumor growth

11. Oats
Contains: Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol, Prevents against heart disease, Regulates blood sugar levels

These superfoods can be readily found at any grocery store and do not have to break the bank, so give them a try! Even if you do not like them all, you can find ways to work them into your regular meals.

We're not doctors though, so these are not medical claims. Before changing your diet substantially, consult with a physician.

How CrossFit Can Prepare you for Rockford Ninja Warrior

If you are working on your fitness already for next year's Rockford Ninja Warrior event, CrossFit is a great way to prepare.

Prestige

CrossFit is the main strength and conditioning program for police academies and tactical military teams, which tells you something about what you can get out of it. If you are looking for a really intense workout, CrossFit is the way to go!

Scalability for All Skill Levels

CrossFit is built on the principle of scalability regardless of prior experience, which means that instead of changing the program for different skill levels, only the intensity of each exercise is changed. This approach is beneficial for two reasons:
1. You do not have to learn all new exercises at each level as your fitness and strength increases.
2. You can workout with other CrossFit junkies even if you are not both at the same level of difficulty.
Being able to find a training partner is essential for Ninjas to hone their skills and stay motivated when it comes to regular workouts.

Widespread Accessibility

Many of the WODs ("Workouts Of the Day") take a minimalistic approach when it comes to workout equipment, so you do not necessarily need to go to a CrossFit gym specifically. You can go to a regular local gym or even just workout at home if you do not want to pay for a gym membership. This is good news for Ninjas that are on a budget.

Provides Non-Specialized Training

CrossFit is intentionally broad in its approach to avoid the pitfalls of overly specialized training. Since many of the people doing CrossFit are preparing themselves for dangerous real-life situations, they want an approach that will benefit them no matter what they are going up against.

This is helpful for aspiring Ninjas because it helps them adapt to the unique physical demands of each course obstacle. It is also helpful when you are competing on a course that has obstacles that you have never attempted before or in cold or wet conditions.

Functional Strength

Unlike bodybuilding routines that just create good-looking muscles, every WOD is designed to build functional strength that you can use to achieve your Ninja goals. Whether it is building stamina, increasing core strength, improving balance and agility or developing explosive power, CrossFit teaches your muscles  to be strong in all of the ways that you need.

Confidence

CrossFit workouts sometimes look a little bit insane - like when you see someone flipping a giant tire. However, these big intense workouts give you the confidence in your own abilities that you need to dominate the course.

What Does it Take to Be A Ninja Warrior?

It may surprise you to learn that while physical fitness is incredibly important to succeeding as a Ninja Warrior, it is not the only requirement. Being a successful Ninja Warrior requires equal parts strength, conditioning and craziness.

Strength

Undergoing the proper ninja training is crucial in developing the right muscles to defeat the toughest obstacles on the course. Focusing on grip strength through activities like rock climbing, upper body strength through gymnastics and lower body/core strength through Parkour are essential.

With official American Ninja Warrior obstacles changing from season to season, if you want to compete on the TV show, your training should incorporate unpredictability. Doing Parkour is a great way to improvise with what you have around you in public. Also, going out into the woods like Elet Hall and free-running keeps your brain working as fast as your muscles to adapt to unique natural conditions.

Maintaining a strict training regimen is also key to building muscle over time and improving your overall health. As is the case with many sports, time spent in the gym or out in nature is beneficial, but the best training comes with competing whenever possible. This is one reason why aspiring Ninjas in West Michigan choose to participate in Rockford Ninja Warrior and why the American Ninja Warrior contestants we invited were so eager to attend.

Conditioning

Building muscle is great, but in order to conquer the ninja course, you need to be able to link grueling challenges together one after another without tiring. The more you practice, the more muscle memory you can build to make tackling the course easier when the time comes. On an individual stage, you will only be taxing your muscles for a few minutes or less but this exertion is so intense that the right conditioning can make the difference between hitting the buzzer and going in the water.

Craziness

You do not simply need to be strong to compete on Nina Warrior courses, you also have to be fearless... or crazy! Mentally preparing for Ninja Warrior by training with or competing against other athletes that you respect will teach you how to perform under pressure.

Also, like anything else, practice makes perfect. The more you compete, the more ready you will be for a Ninja Warrior audition. So, sign up for local competitions, charity benefits and anything else you can find that will prepare you.

The 8 Most Extreme Athletic Competitions in America

Rockford Ninja Warrior is a competition that's not for the faint of heart, which led us to wonder "What are the absolute craziest, most intense athletic competitions in the US?" We did our homework and we've compiled a list:

1. IRONMAN World Championship
   
   
   The IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii is the world's premier sports competition. The most renown triathletes, Olympians, professional cyclists and runners take part to see if they can finish within the stringent time constraints. Participants must swim 2.4 miles in 2 hours 20 minutes, bike 112 miles in 10 hours 30 minutes and run 26.2 miles in 4 hours 10 minutes. The course runs through the black lava fields of Hawaii, which typically generate 45 mph crosswinds and temperatures around 95 degrees.
   
   
   
2. The Race Across America
   
   
   Going from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast, The Race Across America covers 3,000 miles in just 12 days. Participants can race it as a 1-person, 2-person, 4-person or 8-person team. To finish, solo riders must be on their bikes for more than 20 hours a day and can end up sleeping for as little as an hour and a half each day. Severe sleep deprivation threatens riders with hallucinations and injury, resulting in the need for 24-hour monitoring during the race.
   
   
   
3. The Badwater Ultramarathon
   
   
   The 135 mile course for The Badwater Ultramarathon takes runners from 280 feet below sea level in Death Valley to 3,800 feet above sea level at the Mount Whitney trailhead. The competition is held in the middle of the summer, which usually results in temperatures around 130 degrees. These extreme air temperatures hot enough for the asphalt road to reach a surface temperature of 200 degrees, which will melt the runners' shoes if they stray from the painted white road lines. In fact, it's so hot that the support staff have to douse each competitor in ice water every 15 minutes to keep them from overheating.
   
   
   
4. Iditarod
   
   
   The Iditarod takes place in Alaska in February and requires that participants find their way across 1,000 miles of snowy terrain in 30 days or less. Racers must carry their own supplies for the trip on dog sleds and take serious precautions to avoid frostbite in temperatures that can drop as low as 50 degrees below zero.
   
   
   
5. American Ninja Warrior - Mount Midoriyama
   
   
   In a competition that challenges upper body strength and grip strength like nothing else on TV, American Ninja Warrior requires the perfect combination of explosive speed, precise technique, balance and focus to dominate the course. However, while the American Ninja Warrior competition has seen thousands of hopefuls in its 6 seasons, there has never been a victor. Our American Ninja Warrior friends will vouch for the fact that although the level of talent continues to rise substantially every year, unfortunately no one has ever finished all 4 stages of Mount Midoriyama on US soil. That fact is what landed it on our most extreme list.
   
   
   
6. Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational
   
   
   This competition is totally unique in that there is not a set date for it and each year there is no guarantee that it will actually happen. From December to February experts monitor the conditions on the North Shore of Oahu and the world's best surfers await a call to let them know if the competition will even occur. The reason for this is that the competition will not take place unless the face height of the waves is measured at over 40 feet. Since 1984 the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational has only happened 8 times.
   
   
   
7. Lumberjack World Championships
   
   
   The Lumberjack World Championships feature 21 competitions that test burly feats of strength like the springboard chop and a 90 ft timed tree climb. Dubbed "The Olympics of the Forest" competitors come from all over the world to show off their upper body strength and pay homage to a centuries old form of competition and way of life.
   
   
   
8. Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
   
   
   The Escape from Alcatraz is a triathlon, which makes it pale in comparison to the length of some of the other competitions on this list. However, Escape from Alcatraz is no ordinary triathlon. The 1.5 miles from the island to the shore is in frigid waters (which requires that swimmers wear heavy wetsuits to stave off hypothermia) with incredibly strong current. In fact, the current is so strong that participants often end up swimming around twice that length so that as they swim the waves won't drag them past the beach where they need to start the next leg of the race. The swimmers often attract sea lions and, subsequently, the sharks preying on them that are looking for a nice meal. Once on shore, there's an 18 mile bicycle ride on hilly terrain and an 8 mile run on sand and up steep sand-filled steps dubbed "the sand ladder", which have claimed many competitors over the years.
   

If you've ever competed in any of these, we want to take the time to say... "You've got to be crazy!" Okay, just kidding. We want to congratulate you.

If you've ever been a spectator at one of these, let us know what you enjoyed most about the event in the comments below!