Curating a motivating, enjoyable workout playlist is no easy feat. Whether you tend to lean towards “hot girl” rap, 2000s throwbacks, ’90s R&B or the latest and greatest in pop, having a workout playlist that gets you pumped and carries you through your gym session—whether it be cardio or lifting—is essential.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always rotating the vibes of your workout songs to keep it interesting, but sometimes it’s hard to pick tunes that really work. If you’re struggling to get through your workouts and looking to revamp your exercise playlist, we’ve got you covered with the top songs for working out in 2024, according to data.
The Best Songs to Add to Your Workout Playlist in 2024
In search of the ultimate workout playlist, fitness experts at PTPioneer.com conducted a study that analyzed Google search data to find out which of today’s hits are the most popular songs to workout to for Americans. The study analyzed over 100 songs and took into account factors like tempo to figure out when and why people were searching for songs while exercising. Overall, the study found that people prefer upbeat, faster-tempo songs for high-intensity, energetic workouts. Despite the general preference for higher BPM in workout songs, Taylor Swift‘s “Anti-Hero” topped the search count, with 330,770 searches while exercising, despite having the lowest BPM of all other songs that made the list.
While Swift’s “Anti-Hero” has a BPM of 97 and the other most-searched workout tunes average over 110 BPM, the study revealed that users love the song for warm up and cool down routines, solidifying its spot as the most searched-for workout song. Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” came just behind “Anti-Hero,” followed by Shania Twain‘s “Man! I Feel Like a Woman,” Lady Gaga‘s “Just Dance,” Far East Movement and The Cataracs “Like A G6,” BTS’ “Butter,” Rihanna‘s “Pon de Replay,” SZA’s “Kill Bill,” Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy,” and The Black Eyed Peas “Pump It,” respectively. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like a pretty killer playlist to me.
Explaining the science of workout music further, founder of PTPioneer.com, Tyler Read noted that “Music with a good beat boosts your mood and makes each session more effective and enjoyable. If you aim to do high-intensity workouts, songs with a BPM of 120-160, like Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself,’ can help you push harder and maximize calorie burn with its fast tempo and motivating lyrics. For warm-ups or cool-downs, tracks with a BPM of 60-100, like Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero,’ can assist in preparing your body for exercise or bringing your heart rate down for recovery post-workout. These choices reflect a personal connection to the music’s rhythm and lyrics, which is important for boosting your mood and optimizing your exercise routine, making each session more effective and enjoyable.”
