Kanye West's "Stronger" Crowned Greatest Workout Song of All Time in Gold's Gym's March Music Madness

DALLAS, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gold's Gym, the world's leading authority in health and fitness, announced today that Kanye West can officially lay claim to the strongest song in the gym. After an intense nationwide vote, his popular track, nominated by Super Bowl XLII champion Michael Strahan, survived a star-studded bracket of 64 iPod all-stars to be named the greatest workout song of all time.  

"Stronger," West's 2007 hit from his "Graduation" album, was voted the winner in Gold's Gym's first ever March Music Madness competition.  The competition was designed to put an end to the age old debate about what song really is the best for working out. Whether it's music from "Rocky," hip hop, hair bands, pop or metal, people have always had strong opinions. Gold's Gym's March Music Madness answered the question once and for all... or at least until next year.

Hundreds of nominations from celebrities, fans of music and gym members alike were submitted from around the country.  Sixty-four of the most popular nominations were chosen by Gold's Gym celebrity trainers and fitness experts to go head-to-head in the bracket-style competition.  With more than 20,000 votes logged during the event, West's "Stronger"... nominated for the competition by FOX NFL Sunday Analyst and former New York Giant Michael Strahan... emerged from a "Final Four" that included Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow" and Guns N Roses "Welcome to The Jungle."

As part of the competition, Gold's Gym offered to donate $5,000 to the charity of choice of the person who nominated the winning song.  The charities represented by each of the 64 songs spanned the gamut and added an extra layer of passion to the competition. For nominating the winning song, Gold's Gym will make a donation on behalf of Strahan to the Health & Humanitarian Aid Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical and humanitarian aid to those whose lives have been affected by famine, war, poverty or natural disaster.

"Music is such a huge part of the workout experience," said Lisa Zoellner, Chief Marketing Officer for Gold's Gym International.  "We wanted to pay tribute to the artists and songs that play such a big role in inspiring people to exercise... and that keep them motivated every day.  With this fun competition, we were able to find out what our members are listening to, motivate them and give back to a great cause, all at the same time."

"I was thrilled to hear that 'Stronger' won the March Music Madness Bracket Challenge," said Michael Strahan.  "The song brings back great memories of Super Bowl XLII (The New York Giants came out to 'Stronger' before beating the New England Patriots 17-14) and is still on my iPod everyday in the gym.  What's even more special is that I get to share this win with my friend Sammy Arthur, with the proceeds going to his charity, The Health & Humanitarian Aid Foundation."  

Other celebrities who took part in the charity-focused initiative included Will Ferrell, who nominated "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic; Mario Lopez, who nominated "Gonna Fly Now (AKA theme from Rocky)" by Bill Conti; Brooke Shields, who nominated "Hot Blooded" by Foreigner; Gabrielle Reece, who nominated "B.O.B." by Outkast and Ryan Sheckler, who nominated "KickStart my Heart" by Motley Crue.  

For additional information, log on to www.marchmusicmadness.com.

About Gold's Gym

Established in Venice, Calif. in 1965, Gold's Gym is the largest full service gym chain in the world with more than 700 locations in 41 states and 28 countries. Gold's Gym offers the latest equipment and services, including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, group cycle, Pilates and yoga. With nearly 3.5 million members worldwide, Gold's Gym helps all kinds of people achieve their individual potential through fitness. For more information please visit www.goldsgym.com, www.facebook.com/goldsgym or www.twitter.com/goldsgym.

Consumers can also see the inspiring member success stories from the new Gold's Gym "Stronger Than" campaign at www.goldsstrongstories.com.

SOURCE Gold's Gym