We’re big runners, but before we lace up the shoes, wrap a bandy around our forehead, and hit the pavement, we always need to make sure we’ve got an up-to-date playlist on our iPod.

Have you ever tried running/working out without music? It’s like having sex without any dirty talk – sweaty and boring as all hell. Music while being active is there as your trusty companion while you literally kill your body for an hour or so. Without it, what would you have to look forward to?

Since we rely on the good songs to sing-along with while giving us a little extra motivation, we figured we’d let you in on our little secret of which tunes are the best to blast. We know everyone’s got different taste, but we tend to think these are the best motivators out there besides poplin’ a five-hour and doing copious lines of coke.

1. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – Jet

This is your classic last mile song. For instance, say you’re running a half-marathon and have a half-mile to go. You best get this song going so those last four minutes are like masturbating to the best porn you’ve ever seen – quick and forgetful, yet enjoyable.

2. Lose Yourself – Eminem

You just wanted to go out and get a quick 3.5 miles out of the way to work off those brews from last night, but about halfway through, you’re struggling, and smell like death. Excuse the pun, but to completely “lose yourself” and clear your mind, turn the dial all the way up and don’t think about anything else. Once you hear the lyrics, “Success is my only motherf*cking option, failure’s not,” you better believe you’ll be at a full sprint.

3. Kickstart My Heart – Motley Crue

So you’ve been sitting around on the couch all day, but need to take advantage of the 70-degree day that your roommates keep talking about. What, you think that motivation’s just going to come from “runner’s high?” How about you let the pipes of VInce Neil and the dudes from Motley Crue get your run going instead? If that doesn’t work, try thinking of Adriana Lima from this commercial with the song in it?

4. Ni**as in Paris – Jay-Z and Kanye West

You really didn’t think we’d make a running playlist without including Jay, did you? The two biggest MC’s out there kill it, and it let’s you freestyle while looking like a complete moron trying to keep up with their flow. We’ll warn you now that of any song you’ll want to hit repeat on, this is the one.

5. Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon

What better way to wrap-up a nice long workout than thinking about the one thing that will probably wipe away all the pain you just endured? When you’re done getting your sweat on, let it keep dripping while knocking it in the sack. If that’s not motivation, we don’t know what is? Just be careful not to get wood thinking about it too much!

6. Titans Spirit (Score) – Trevor Rabin

Running’s just as a mental strength as it is physical, so when you just need to mentally zone out and get a quick recap of what you just put your body through, we find it totally cool to mellow out to something that brings your adrenaline down. It’s relaxing, which is what you should do after working so hard.