I am generally excited when I arrive at the gym because I absolutely love to work-out while listening to my iPod. I like to sing while I sweat. Perhaps I’m not in love with the actual work-out but the feeling I receive after, can’t be beat. I achieve a euphoric state.

On average I awake at 5:00 a.m. to start my day. I generally shower, apply lotion, floss, and apply a little lip color before arriving at the gym because my early mornings are an event. I want to be fresh and alert, and able to move freely from the tight quarters of my spin class, to the weight lifting area that’s usually teaming with taut men.

I prepare my game plan before arriving at the gym. I’ll do lunges and squats, what kind of abdominal work will I do? All things I take into consideration the night before, for which I write it in journal, and I refer to as I work out – 2 set of 12 repetitions shoulder presses….

My exercise highs come easily, but not with my music. I have to have my iPod attached to my special set of Nike neckband head-phones, they grip my ears so that they never deviate from the correct position. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of music while working it out, it allows me to do that extra crunch, or that last repetition.

I begin with a 15 minute warm-up on the treadmill, and then my iPod malfunctions,my momentum slows, but not to fear I have a back-up iPod packed away in my gym bag. My music selection is just as important as the music in itself, I couldn’t imagine listening to the ear-piercing pop music blaring from the speakers at the health club, there’s nothing more discouraging.

I choose high intensity songs for my runs, hip-hop for strength training, and something mellow for abdominal work- usually eighties pop. Some of the songs on my playlist are cool, others catchy, and some make me feel powerful, it’s all about the swagger. I share with you a few songs on my coveted play list, and it goes a little something like this:

The Black Eyed Peas, Imma Be
M.I.A., Kala
Luke, I Wanna Rock
The Roots, Here I Come
Jay-Z, On to the Next One
Sarah Vaughn, Whatever Lola Wants
2 Live Crew, Move Somethin’
M.I.A, Pull Up the People
Radiohead, Weird Fishes
The Pharcyde, Running
D’Angelo, Spanish Joint
Common and Bilal, The 6th Sense

I am Monica Staton owner of Body Language’s Personal Training. My philosophy involves being emotionally excited about fitness and fashion. I help to minimize figure flaws, conceal them, or both. I am a skilled personal trainer, and style consultant; I bring a high level of enthusiasm to both disciplines. I have studied fashion design at Columbia College Chicago, and I am an Ace Certified Personal Trainer specializing in strength training. I currently write a monthly news-letter “Form follows Fashion,” which specifically relates to physical fitness, and fashion well-being. I am flexible, fashionable, open, receptive, intuitive about my client’s physical needs, and personal tastes.