Music and exercise go hand in hand; we've talked before about how music improves your workout. It helps you focus on something else besides the physical pain and exertion you feel. It facilitates movement in your muscles, ramping up your efficiency and allowing you to get more out of the workout. It also just generally improves your motivation. However, it has to be the right kind of music.
Depending on what activity you're doing, you might prefer rap or hip-hop (it has the right beats per minute to correspond to most people's running speed), pop music (good for warming up and cooling down), or dance music (perfect for weight training because of its upbeat tempo).1 Anything too fast or slow, and you might not get the results you're looking for. Fortunately, experts have combed through millions of public Spotify playlists with the word “workout” in the title and have come up with the ultimate list of songs to take your workout to the next level. Here are a few to get you started on the road to powering up your workout.
Get Lucky by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams This future-disco anthem from 2013 took airwaves by storm with its infectious guitar licks and repetitive melodies. At 116 beats per minute, it's hard to argue that this wouldn't be the perfect jam for any workout playlist.
Applause by Lady Gaga Another hit from 2013, this club banger from the album Artpop has a high-energy momentum that keeps going from start to finish. It's 140 beats per minute, so it's perfect for an intense cardio workout and will definitely get your adrenalin flowing.
Beat It by Michael Jackson Also 140 beats per minute, this is a staple of any workout playlist. In fact, many of Michael Jackson's hits are great for working out to: think “Billie Jean,” “Wanna Be Startin' Something,” or “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground.” “Beat It” has the added bonus of featuring inspired lyrics, such as “No one wants to be defeated.” Positive messages can have a positive effect on your workout, making this the perfect high-energy addition to your playlist.
Push It by Salt-N-Pepa There's no other song that checks all the boxes as this one does: Hard-driving rhythms with the perfect tempo to supercharge your workout; inspirational lyrics; and a hint of nostalgia that might remind you of your younger, carefree days. In fact, experts say that positive imaging – such as remembering when you were younger, fitter, and carefree – can be a powerful motivational tool for stepping up your workout.
One More Time by Daft Punk Heralded as one of the greatest songs of all time, you can't help but move your body when this comes on. It's got an uplifting message and a great tempo for working out (123 beats per minute), and it tops many people's workout playlists. Once you've got your workout playlist in check, make sure you have the right nutrition to revitalize your body and refuel muscle growth. Boost your workout with our protein bars and energy bars, available in our online store.
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