The 40 Best Workout Songs, from Eye of the Tiger to Blinding Lights

What is the best workout song of all time?

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, the number one theme from Rocky III, is the classic answer, along with Eminem's "Lose Yourself" and Bill Conti's Rocky theme "Gonna Fly Now". For a modern playlist, "Blinding Lights" by the Weeknd, "Believer" by Imagine Dragons and "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are favorites in gyms everywhere.

Pump-up classics

1. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor, 1982: the ultimate training anthem.
2. "Gonna Fly Now", Bill Conti, 1977: the Rocky theme, made for running up stairs.
3. "Lose Yourself", Eminem, 2002: the Oscar-winning song about seizing your moment.
4. "Remember the Name", Fort Minor, 2005: a favorite in locker rooms and sports videos.
5. "Can't Hold Us", Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton, 2013: a non-stop number one.
6. "Hall of Fame", the Script featuring will.i.am, 2012: an anthem about going for greatness.
7. "Jump Around", House of Pain, 1992: guaranteed to get you moving.
8. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen, 1979: pure, joyful momentum.

The best pop songs for workouts

9. "Blinding Lights", the Weeknd, 2019: an 80s-style synth-pop smash with a driving beat.
10. "Physical", Dua Lipa, 2020: a dance-pop song made for cardio.
11. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", Kelly Clarkson, 2011: an empowering number one.
12. "Roar", Katy Perry, 2013: a confidence-boosting anthem.
13. "Titanium", David Guetta featuring Sia, 2011: a soaring build to a huge drop.
14. "Unstoppable", Sia, 2016: a power ballad with a pounding beat.
15. "Run the World (Girls)", Beyoncé, 2011: a fierce, marching rhythm.
16. "Fighter", Christina Aguilera, 2003: a pop-rock anthem of resilience.
17. "Uptown Funk", Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, 2014: a funky jolt of energy.
18. "Can't Stop the Feeling!", Justin Timberlake, 2016: bright and bouncy.
19. "Shut Up and Dance", Walk the Moon, 2014: a rush of 80s-style pop-rock.
20. "Dynamite", Taio Cruz, 2010: a club-pop hit for high-intensity intervals.

Hip-hop workout songs

21. "'Till I Collapse", Eminem featuring Nate Dogg, 2002: the heavy-lifting favorite.
22. "Pump It", the Black Eyed Peas, 2006: built on the surf-rock riff of "Misirlou".
23. "Good Feeling", Flo Rida, 2011: an Etta James sample over a big beat.
24. "Wild Ones", Flo Rida featuring Sia, 2011: a stadium-sized chorus.
25. "Lose Control", Missy Elliott featuring Ciara and Fatman Scoop, 2005: relentless energy.
26. "Hey Ya!", OutKast, 2003: impossible to stand still to.

Rock workout songs

27. "Thunderstruck", AC/DC, 1990: a building, chant-along riff.
28. "Back in Black", AC/DC, 1980: one of rock's great riffs.
29. "Enter Sandman", Metallica, 1991: heavy and steady for lifting.
30. "Kickstart My Heart", Mötley Crüe, 1989: a blast of speed for sprints.
31. "Welcome to the Jungle", Guns N' Roses, 1987: a fierce opener.
32. "Seven Nation Army", the White Stripes, 2003: the riff sports crowds chant.
33. "Mr. Brightside", the Killers, 2004: fast, driving and endlessly replayable.
34. "Can't Stop", Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2003: funky, propulsive rock.
35. "Believer", Imagine Dragons, 2017: a pounding, percussive anthem.
36. "Centuries", Fall Out Boy, 2014: a huge, chanting chorus.

EDM and dance workout songs

37. "Levels", Avicii, 2011: a euphoric build and drop.
38. "Sandstorm", Darude, 1999: the relentless trance anthem.
39. "Running Up That Hill", Kate Bush, 1985: a pulsing 80s classic that returned in 2022 thanks to Stranger Things.
40. "Don't You Worry Child", Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin, 2012: an uplifting anthem for the final stretch.

Why music makes workouts easier

Music helps exercise feel easier and more enjoyable. A strong beat gives your body a rhythm to match, upbeat songs lift your mood and take your mind off the effort, and songs you love can give you a burst of motivation just when you need it. Many people also use a favorite song as a signal: when the chorus hits, it is time for the hardest interval or the heaviest set.

How to choose workout songs by tempo

Tempo is measured in beats per minute, or BPM. For a warm-up or steady walk, songs around 100 to 120 BPM feel natural. For cardio, cycling and running, many people like songs from about 120 to 140 BPM or faster, and for sprints or high-intensity intervals, the faster the better. For weightlifting, tempo matters less than power, so heavy riffs and big drums work best. Match your steps or pedal strokes to the beat, and build your playlist so the tempo rises as your workout gets harder. For running playlists, see our songs about running.

How to build a workout playlist

• Warm-up (5 to 10 minutes): start with feel-good mid-tempo songs like "Can't Stop the Feeling!" or "Hey Ya!".
• Main workout: move into your highest-energy songs, like "Blinding Lights", "Can't Hold Us" or "Titanium".
• Final push: save your biggest motivator, like "Eye of the Tiger" or "Lose Yourself", for the last set or the last mile.
• Cooldown: finish with something slower and calmer as your heart rate comes down.

Some of these songs have explicit lyrics, so choose the clean versions for a class, a team workout or a gym with kids around.

Music for yoga, stretching and cooldown

Not every workout needs a pounding beat. For yoga, stretching or a cooldown walk, choose calmer songs with a steady pulse, like "Running Up That Hill" at a lower volume, acoustic covers of your favorite pop songs, or ambient and instrumental tracks. Slower music helps your breathing settle and your heart rate come down, and it gives your mind a moment to enjoy what your body just did.

Songs for running a race

On race day, plan your playlist around the course. Start with calm, confident songs so you do not go out too fast, keep a steady middle section that matches your goal pace, and save two or three of your biggest motivators for the final miles. Many runners keep "Eye of the Tiger", "Lose Yourself" or "Don't Stop Me Now" for the finish line.

Workout songs for a team or a big game

For a team warm-up, "Remember the Name", "Seven Nation Army", "Jump Around", "Thunderstruck" and "Centuries" fire up a whole room. For more pump-up music, see our walk-up songs, motivational songs and Flo Rida songs.

Workout songs by decade

For an 80s workout, mix "Eye of the Tiger", "Running Up That Hill", "Kickstart My Heart" and "Welcome to the Jungle". For a 2000s playlist, try "Hey Ya!", "Mr. Brightside", "Lose Control" and "Pump It", and for the 2010s, "Titanium", "Levels", "Can't Hold Us" and "Uptown Funk". For more, see our 80s songs and Mötley Crüe songs.

A workout anthem with their name on it

Nothing motivates like a song about you. A personalized song can turn someone's training into their own anthem: their name, their goals, the race they are training for or the comeback they are making, with a hip-hop, rock or electronic beat. It makes a great gift for a marathon, a fitness milestone or a coach.

How to create a personalized workout song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: hip-hop, rock, electronic, pop and more.
2. Add their name.
3. Share three goals, memories or details about them.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them an anthem for every rep: create a song and hear four previews for free.