Motivational workout songs-It’s Not Just in Your Head(phones): Science Says Listening to Music Does Make Your Workout Better.
The Power of Music in Exercise
Motivational workout songs-Music and exercise have a deeply intertwined relationship. Science backs this up, showing that listening to music can significantly enhance your workout performance. The right music boosts performance during resistance, endurance, and sprint-based exercise, according to a review in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology.
But it doesn’t stop there. Motivational workout songs also has the power to elevate your mood and prepare you for an intense sweat session. Choosing the best motivational workout songs not only gets your heart pounding but also helps to distract you from fatigue when you’re pushing through an especially challenging set. Having a go-to playlist full of pump-up songs will ensure that you get the most out of your fitness routine and — even more importantly — enjoy it.
Top motivational Workout Songs of 2024
To make sure your gym playlist is serving you well, we gathered the best motivational workout songs from 2024 with a couple of classics sprinkled in. From viral TikTok bops to rediscovered classics (hello, Kate Bush!), these hype songs will motivate you to sweat a little more and push a little harder. Knock out some high-energy cardio or tough strength training while getting acquainted with chart-topping hits, including Megan Thee Stallion’s “Hiss,” Beyoncé’s “YA YA,” and Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!”
Viral Hits to Boost Your Workout
Expect bop after bop from musical icons like Rihanna and Shakira, along with newer names like Kenya Grace. There’s even a song from the “Barbie” movie soundtrack (yes, the one by Dua Lipa) for the ultimate hot girl walk. There are over two hours of motivational workout songs here — enough to get you through a long run or total-body gym workout. Hit play on each of the songs ahead, or favorite the playlist on Spotify, to stream a winning workout music playlist wherever you go. Now throw on your favorite sneakers, grab your earbuds, and cue up this list of the best motivational workout songs.
The Science Behind Music and Exercise
With the thrill of New Year’s resolutions behind us and a long winter ahead, it can be hard to keep going with workout goals. But sometimes, all you need is the right song to give you the push you need to keep at it — whether running, biking, or weight lifting. TIME is here to help with an essential workout playlist: a mix of songs that are tried-and-tested crowd favorites and some deeper cuts worth your attention from recent years and beyond. Normani’s “Motivation,” Lizzo’s “Good As Hell,” and Travis Scott’s “Sicko Mode” are just the beginning; from hip-hop to classic rock to EDM, there’s a little bit of everything.
How Music Helps You Stay on Track
“Getting on a treadmill or a bike or going for a run is a very solo activity, so having an artist sing to you along the way can be reassuring,” Spotify’s trends expert Shanon Cook told TIME about the popularity of motivational workout songs in getting people going with their fitness routines. “Music can help you find your rhythm or help you set your pace.” From motivational lyrics to driving beats and tunes that bring back good memories, it’s no secret that music has the power to help you stay on track.
Curated Playlists for Every Workout
We sorted through hundreds of tunes to select the critical picks that help us get our hearts pumping at fitness classes or while working out solo. The end result: a list of 50 of the songs that are best used for motivating you while working out — whatever the activity, from running to weight-lifting to getting in your crunches. As Cook says, “Every person’s different, and every person’s going to listen to different types of songs when they’re working out.” But certain things are nearly universally appealing, like hip-hop jams.
And certain songs, like Eminem’s “Till I Collapse” (Spotify’s most popular workout-related tune for four years in a row), Kanye West’s “Stronger” and Survivor’s perennial classic “Eye of the Tiger” remain favorites across the board. Others — a Ricky Martin deep cut, some Brazilian baile funk, and even a K-pop track — might be new surprises for the casual listener. Turn on the music and turn up your heart rate.
Genre Mixing and Energetic Beats
Miley Cyrus‘ 2013 album Bangerz was an interesting experiment in genre mixing; there’s country, EDM, pop, and rap all wrapped up in one project. What Cyrus brings to everything is her signature personality and bold vocals. On “FU” with rapper French Montana she holds nothing back. The result is a cheeky kiss-off over a gritty dubstep beat that’s certain to get you moving.
Energetic Collaborations
“I Don’t Care,” Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber: “We at a party we don’t want to be at” is not a particularly inspiring sentiment, true. But the hollow, insistent drumbeat of Sheeran and Bieber’s 2019 collaboration will get under your skin; there’s a reason Sheeran remains a chart mainstay. The thought behind the song works for any kind of workout, too: just keep going and put up with the situation and you’ll get through it.
Motivational workout songs “My Oh My,” Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby: Camila Cabello has an instinct for wildly catchy Latin-inflected riffs; chart hits “Havana” and “Señorita” are proof of that. “My Oh My” is a little slower but just as effective, dark, and brooding with its echoing chorus and intensity. Throw in the joyful rhymes of DaBaby, and suddenly it’s a track with an extra kick to help you keep pumping.
Motivational workout songs “Raising Hell,” Kesha feat. Big Freedia: Kesha‘s latest phase is full of exuberance: “Raising Hell” sees her having an absolute blast over a bouncy bass, with an assist from Big Freedia. Her tendency to love a chanted chorus makes it easy to sing along to as well, which might help when you need that extra workout boost.
Motivational workout songs“Blood, Sweat & Tears,” Ava Max: Albanian-American pop star Ava Max can’t help but make catchy songs (see: breakout hit “Sweet But Psycho”). “Blood, Sweat & Tears” riffs off of a playground chant but ends up as a driving anthem that parallels the concept of working hard quite nicely.
“God Is a Dancer,” Tiësto and Mabel: English singer Mabel brings soulful vocals to this fast-paced electronic track from Dutch DJ and producer Tiësto. “Keep that pace… take it step by step,” Mabel sings, appropriately for any workout: its consistency makes it an ideal jam for the gym.
“I Win,” Lethal Bizzle feat. Skepta: British grime artist Lethal Bizzle’s anthemic, confident “I Win” starts with a punch and never lets up. If positive self-talk were enough to get you through a motivational workout songs, then “I Win” would be all you need to hit every goal.
Timeless Classics
“Don’t Stop the Music,” Rihanna: “Don’t Stop the Music” came out in 2007, but Rihanna’s gift keeps giving. Intense from the get-go, there’s something about the directness of its bassline that resonates no matter what. Plus, as it builds to its big chorus, it’s impossible not to find the beat of whatever you’re doing.
“…Ready For It?,” Taylor Swift: Swift’s 2017 self-referential album Reputation was filled with intensely anthemic pop; “…Ready For It?” has the biggest drop, the most hard-charging beat, and the most soaring chorus, making it the best of the motivational workout songs options.
“Jungle,” X Ambassadors feat. Jamie N Commons: The last decade’s update to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” came in the form of “Jungle” from rock band X Ambassadors and soul singer Jamie N Commons: a hand-clap, foot-stomping, bluesy song with searing guitar and reverberating intensity. It feels like the soundtrack of the best scene in an action movie; it should certainly do the trick at a workout.
“Mic Drop (Steve Aoki Remix),” BTS: There’s a reason K-pop supergroup BTS inspires such avid fandom: hits that range from sweet ballads to intense tracks like “Mic Drop” off their record-breaking album Love Yourself: Answer, which seamlessly mixes their prodigious rapping skills with dance beats and a dark, catchy edge. Steve Aoki’s remix adds extra oomph to a song that already hit hard. (Also inspiring: the sharp choreography in the music video.)
“Survivor,” Destiny’s Child: A classic Destiny’s Child banger, “Survivor” is the kind of motivational workout songs you need when you’re getting close to reaching your limit. Singing along to “I’m a survivor, I’m not gon’ give up, I’m not gon’ stop, I’m gon’ work harder” is the ultimate boost. Thank you, Beyoncé, Kelly, and Michelle.
“On the Ball,” Bryce Vine: Breezy and bright with a surf-rock vibe, Bryce Vine’s “On the Ball” is exactly what it says it is: a celebration of being on top of things. Vine oozes confidence over the pop-rap beat, making it perfect for soundtracking a workout.
“BOP,” DaBaby: Rapper DaBaby was one of 2019’s biggest breakout stars, a vivacious presence with a distinctive, fast-paced flow in whatever music he popped up in. His “BOP” is just that: over a playful beat, his rapid-fire delivery ensures you keep your pace up, turning a motivational workout songs into a dance party.
