Nothing beats the feeling of an expertly curated, pumping music playlist during a tough workout.
Whether you’re hitting your stride on a run, attacking a sprint finish on the treads, or gearing up for a 1RM- when the perfect tune syncs with your big finish… it just feels epic.
WHY DOES MUSIC MATTER DURING A WORKOUT?
Music is an excellent motivator when it comes to exercise. Whether you enjoy working out or not, we can all agree that the right song can lift us up and carry us over the finish line.
But hold on, there is some science involved!
Music can not only help improve mood and focus, but it can also reduce our perception of fatigue, create distraction, and influence heart rate which, in turn, can improve speed and overall workout quality.
However, putting together a great tracklist requires some time and thought.
So…
HOW DO YOU MAKE A GREAT WORKOUT PLAYLIST?
The first, and arguably most important, consideration is tempo (otherwise known as beats per minute (BPM.))
Ideally, your music tempo needs to match your heart rate, which is generally why we hear more chilled music during a yoga class and faster music during HIIT.
There’s nothing worse than a rogue ballad making its way on to shuffle during a sprint finish!
If you’re keen on testing out your tracks before you add them, a BPM tool can help you along the way. There are even BPM playlists on Spotify and Apple Music!
Looking for a guideline? Here are some tempos to try for your playlist:
- LIIT: 60-90 BPM
- HIIT: 140-180 + BPM
- Dance: 130-170 BPM
- Resistance Training: 130-150 BPM
- Warm-ups: 100-140 BPM
- Cool-downs: 60-90 BPM
TOP TIP:
Consider different playlists for different workouts to keep things fresh and consistent. You can even organize songs by tempo, within the same playlist, for interval training and more complex workout structures.
Checkout The Vice Guide For Spotify Playlists
Need some inspiration to get you hyped for your next HIIT workout?
Check out our favorite 10 tracks to fuel your workout playlist
- THE PRODIGY – FIRESTARTER
A song requiring no introduction! Designed to take the pace up when you’re needing it most.
- LOOKAS – APOLLO
This song provides the perfect build-up to a big finish and is great for those moments when the rest timer is ticking down from 3-1.
- JOEL CORRY, JAX JONES, CHARLI XCX, SWAEETI – OUT OUT
A sure-fire feel-good 2022 hit designed to keep you on pace.
- STROMAE – ALORS ON DANSE
A big 2021 hit for TikTok, this is the perfect tempo song to hit the treads or pavement with.
- ACRAZE, CHERISH – DO IT TO IT
Turn up the volume and bass on Acraze for the full effect.
- FUTURE KINGS, LAURA DAVIS – IS IT ENOUGH?
A club classic through and through to get you in the feel-good mood.
- ATB, TOPIC, A7S – YOUR LOVE (9PM)
Perfect for the start of your workout as a pace-maker.
- DOVES – BLACK AND WHITE TOWN
Perhaps a little unexpected but sure to ramp you up. Get this on loud when you’re throwing weights around or attempting big lifts.
- FRITZ KALKBRENNER, BEN BOHMER – WHERE THE ROADS COLLIDE
Save Fritz for your flow state. Perfect for your downtime in interval training.
- BICEP – APRICOTS
We recommend saving this track for your big finish. Trust us!
