Music is a powerful motivator. I find that my choice in workout music affects my concentration, form and stamina. I am always interested in great songs for my workout playlist.
Workout music site Run Hundred users voted on their favorite workout songs of 2015. Some of their selections enjoy heavy rotation on my playlist while others I had not considered. I gladly share Run Hundred’s Ten Most Popular Workout Song list along with a couple tips on using music to improve your workout.
I like to match the tempo, intensity and “feeling” to my workout. Much of this is subjective. For example, I like to listen to punk-inspired music when I jump rope, classic rock when I lift weights, and pop or funk for cardio.
It turns out that my experience is backed by science!
How & Why to Choose Your Workout Music:
“When looking for good workout songs, find those that have a distinct rhythm and appropriate tempo/beats-per-minute (bpm) for your chosen activity. The song’s bpm should correspond to the heart rate you’d hope to have during the workout.” – Source American Council on Exercise (ACE-sponsored Research: Exploring the Effects of Music on Exercise Intensity)
Numerous studies explore the connection between music and exercise performance. It isn’t entirely clear why and how music effects exercise, but many find it a motivating force.
“Music distracts people from pain and fatigue, elevates mood, increases endurance, reduces perceived effort and may even promote metabolic efficiency. When listening to music, people run farther, bike longer and swim faster than usual—often without realizing it.” – Source Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music from Scientific American
Top Ten Most Popular Workout Songs of 2015 According to Run Hundred
The following list was compiled by Run Hundred during their eighth annual poll. Over 100,000 people cast votes to narrow down the top 10 tracks. Perhaps this list will help rock your workouts in 2016 and beyond!
#10 – Demi Lovato – Confident – 130 BPM
#9 – The Magician & Years and Years – Sunlight (Radio Edit) – 122 BPM
#8 – Andy Grammer – Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah) – 120 BPM
#7 – Icona Pop – Emergency – 126 BPM
#6 – One Direction – Drag Me Down – 139 BPM
#5 – Walk the Moon – Work This Body – 135 BPM
#4 – Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand – 123 BPM
#3 – Kelly Clarkson – Heartbeat Song (Nebuer Remix) – 135 BPM
#2 – Katy Tiz – Whistle (While You Work It) – 162 BPM
#1 – Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk (Dave Audé Remix) – 124 BPM
You can visit Run Hundred’s 2015 List and see their monthly playlists on their site.
About Run Hundred
Run Hundred was created by Chris Lawhorn in 2008. The site catalogs songs for your exercise playlist by beats per minute.
“I built Run Hundred at the end of 2008. I’d run track in high school and always loved finding songs that matched the tempo of my workout. As an adult, I became a DJ. In a club setting, I’d use tempo information to blend songs together on the fly. Later, I realized that I could use this same tempo data to find songs that would match my workout. So, I built the site as a database where other folks could do the same thing.” – Chris Lawhorn at Run Hundred.
Sources And Credits:
- Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music from Scientific American
- ACE-sponsored Research: Exploring the Effects of Music on Exercise Intensity
- Press Release from Run Hundred
- Image credit: images provided by Kaboompics and Ryan McGuire
Question of the day:
What songs (literally) move you? What are some of your favorite workout songs?
Thanks for sharing! I would have never known about this!