I've learned that music is essential to my work-outs, but Sunday night I re-realized this in an almost comical way.

I worked out on the elliptical, first, and listened to a podcast, as I usually do. Then I started my walk/run, and I switched over to my workout playlist. As I started my walk, the right ear bud started shorting out. The left ear bud was just as loud as ever, but the right one either had crackly noises or was silent. I actually almost tripped, that's how disturbing it was. It was weird! I could get it to work well enough while I walked, but when I ran, the right ear bud would go in and out every time my right foot hit the track.

So, yesterday, I bought a fresh pair of ear buds. Nice! Bless my old ear buds, they've held up through almost constant use since August. I hope these new ones hold up longer.

Anyway, this brings up my point: what do you listen to while you work out?

The elliptical is kinda boring, so I need something that will make me think. Most of the times I'll listen to a podcast.

My favorites include (click on the titles to go to their websites):

PotentialCast (a "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" podcast)

Geek Out Loud (self-explanatory, really)

WNYC Soundcheck (covers music, musicians, various topics in music/music biz. They just finished a series called Eat to the Beat, all about food and music. Click here for those episodes)

I'm also checking out lectures on iTunes U. I downloaded an entire lecture series from the Universty of Alabama about zombies in literature, and then a really awesome series from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on superhero fashion. These are all available for free on iTunes.

If I'm not listening to a podcast or lecture, I'm usually listening to Girl Talk. His music mashes up basically the last 50 years' worth of pop music into incredible dance music. It's hard not to move when you listen to any of his albums, and it makes me think, since I'm constantly deciphering the samples. (click here to download his new album for free)

But when I walk/run – definitely my favorite workout right now – I have to have my workout playlist on. And that workout playlist is VERY specific – basically nothing but rap and punk rock. I need something that will get me moving, and this playlist does.

Here's a sample of some of the songs on my workout playlist (click links to watch videos!):

My Chemical Romance – "Na Na Na"

Jay-Z and Kanye West – "Otis"

Beastie Boys – "Sabotage"

(these are just a few! I have lots more!)

So, what do you listen to?