It's not rocket science; music can help fuel your workouts. Research reveals that if you match the tempo of a song to your desired heart rate, or beats per minute (bpm), the song will help you maintain or pick up the pace. It's no wonder many professional athletes listen to music before a big competition; it gets their minds focused and blood pumping. Not only does music amp up workouts, but it also helps distract the mind from long runs or hard efforts.
When choosing songs for you playlist, make sure it has the distinct rhythm and tempo/beats per minute (bpm) for your sport/activity.
Running: 150 10 175 bpm
Cycling: 135 to 180 bpm
Weight Lifting/Core/HIIT: 108 to 150 bpm
Walking: 135 to 140 bpm
Swimming: 99 to 125 bpm
More: How Music Can Boost Your Workout
Coaches, trainers, athletes and regular gym goers shared their favorite songs to help us compile the top 50. Fill your iPod or mp3 player with these hits.
Top 50 Songs to Add to Your Workout Playlist
50. Counting Stars by OneRepublic: 122 bpm
49. Get Lucky (Featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers) by Daft Punk: 116 bpm
48. Rock and Roll by Led Zepplin: 169 bpm
47. Wake Me Up by Avicii: 125 bpm
46. Love Shack by B-52's: 134 bpm
45. We Got the Beat by The Go-Go's: 152 bpm
44. Dark Horse (Featuring Juicy J) by Katy Perry: 133 bpm
43. Fight for Your Right by Beastie Boys: 135 bpm
42. Catch Hell Blues by The White Stripes: 97 bpm
41. Take Back the Night by Justin Timberlake: 109 bpm
40. The Pretenders by Foo Fighters: 172 bpm
39. Janglin by Edward Sharpe + the Magnetic Zeroes: 124 bpm
38. Talk Dirty (Featuring 2 Chainz) by Jason Derulo: 125 bpm
37. Roar by Katy Perry: 180 bpm
36. Timber (Featuring Ke$ha) by Pitbull: 130 bpm
35. Turn Down for What by DJ Snake and Lil Jon: 100 bpm
34. On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons: 100 bpm
33. Can't Hold Us (Featuring Ray Dalton) by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis: 146 bpm
32. In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins: 95 bpm
31. Hearts on Fire by John Cafferty: 136 bpm
30. Yeah! (Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris) by Usher: 105 bpm
29. Good Vibrations (Featuring Loleatta Holloway) by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch: 128 bpm
28. Bootylicious by Destiny's Child: 104 bpm
27. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor: 109 bpm
26. Love in An Elevator by Aerosmith: 92 bpm
25. You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) by Dead or Alive: 128 bpm
24. Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses: 126 bpm
23. Lose Control by Missy Elliot: 125 bpm
22. Farewell Ride by Beck: 82 bpm
21. Scentless Apprentice by Nirvana: 94 bpm
20. Shot Me Down (Featuring Skylar Grey) by David Guetta: 128 bpm
19. Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic: 126 bpm
18. Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield: 132 bpm
17. Work B**ch by Britney Spears: 128 bpm
16. Black Betty by Ram Jam: 117 bpm
15. More Than a Feeling by Boston: 114 bpm
14. Renegade by Styx: 105 bpm
13. U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer: 133 bpm
12. Rock N' Roll All Night by Kiss: 142 bpm
11. The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band: 135 bpm
10. You Really Got Me by Van Halen: 139 bpm
9. The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy: 138 bpm
8. Born to Be Wild by Hinder: 146 bpm
7. Blurred Lines (Featuring T.I. and Pharrell) by Robin Thicke: 120 bpm
6. Give It Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers: 183 bpm
5. Livin' on the Edge by Aerosmith: 169 bpm
4. Beat It by Michael Jackson: 139 bpm
3. Dancin' With Myself by Billy Idol: 176 bpm
2. Thriller by Michael Jackson: 117 bpm
1. Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti: 96 bpm
Download and add these top 50 songs to your workout playlist.
More: 6 Tips to Pick and Stick to Your Fitness Goals
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