If you’ve ever been to Zumba, CrossFit, Orangetheory, or SoulCycle, one thing you’ll note that they have in common is their seriously awesome playlists! Whether you’re pushing through a tough workout or dancing your heart out, these high-energy beats churned out by these group fitness classes keep you pumped and having fun, even when your muscles are on fire. It appears that there’s a good reason we crank up the tunes during workouts — and it’s not just to get us hyped for a good sweat session.

Studies show that music, especially those fast-paced, high-energy tracks, can actually improve our workout performance and even motivate us to keep going longer. So, the main question here is, how do we build the ultimate workout playlist to have the best fitness experience?

In this blog post, I will be sharing with you some of the top tips to build the ultimate workout playlist to help you get the most out of your workout performance and experience. While you’ll be served with the essential expert-proven tips to build your own ultimate workout playlist, you’ll also discover everything you need to know about how to make your music experience during and after your fitness routine more enthralling.

The Role of Music in Improving Workout Performance

When it comes to the psychological effects of music, there’s a plethora of research that have explored this discourse. While it’s always good to engage in enjoyable workouts to make your fitness routine something you always look forward to, what you might be needing to help you maintain your focus and boost your mood might just be nice, fitting tunes. Besides the focus and positive mood you’ll enjoy, you’ll also benefit from the extra push or motivation that this tune will offer you.

There are several ways through which music can impact your workout, and they include:

• Music can help you find exercise easier
• Music can aid in improving your mood whenever you’re working out
• Music can incite you to sprint faster
• Music makes you find more pleasure in your exercise and it’s a beautiful distraction from how rough it can be
• Music can play a role in how slow or fast your heart rate is
• Music can contribute to reducing how you perceive fatigue

How do you Build the Ultimate Workout Playlist for Maximum Motivation?

When it comes to building the ultimate workout playlist, it’s all about finding that sweet spot where the music matches your heart rate. The first thing you want to do is to choose the right tempo for your playlist. If the music’s tempo matches your target heart rate, you’ll stay energized throughout your workout. But if the tempo is off, it might have the opposite effect. I mean, think about it like this. When the beat is in sync with your pulse, you’ll be totally in the zone, energized, and motivated from start to finish! But, if the tempo is off, it can be a total buzzkill.

Imagine you’re in the middle of an intense workout, grooving to some high-energy trap music or hard rock, and suddenly an ’80s love ballad starts playing. You either have to stop and dig out your phone to skip it, or you try to power through while constantly thinking about how you can’t wait for it to end. Either way, it totally disrupts your focus and messes up the momentum you’ve managed to develop.

As you now begin to understand the importance of being mindful of the tempo you go for, the next thing you want to be conscious of is the kind of workout you are going for. Go for tracks with a faster tempo to keep your energy up if you’re aiming for a high-intensity session.

As you’re planning to start working on your playlist, there are a few general tempo guidelines you should keep in mind:

• Go for songs with about 130 to 150 BPM if you’re doing powerlifting or weightlifting
• Go for songs with about 120 to 140 BPM if you’re doing cardio
• Songs with about 130 to 170 BPM are perfect for Zumba and dance
• Go for songs with about 140 to 180+ BPM if you’re engaging in indoor cycling or CrossFit
• Songs with 100 to 140 BPM are best suited for power yoga
• Songs with 60 to 90 BPM work best for low-intensity activities such as pilates yoga, and others.

The next question you’ll probably be asking is, how do I count the BPM in a song? A song’s beats per minute (BPM) can be counted through different means. There are several tools available online that you can use to calculate the BPM and you may also choose to go for what most people use, which is a metronome.

If you’re into electronic dance music (EDM), the good news is that, while not every song in a genre has the same tempo, certain genres do have typical tempo ranges that producers usually stick to. Here’s a list of some popular electronic music genres and their usual tempos from the highest to the lowest:

• Drum and Bass – 174 BPM
• Dubstep – 140 BPM
• Electro – 128 BPM
• House  – 115–130 BPM
• Techno – 120–125 BPM
• Glitch Hop – 105–115 BPM
• Hip Hop – 85–95 BPM

If you want to get strategic in building your ultimate workout playlist and you don’t mind the extra stress of taking it up a notch, a good idea is to tailor the tempo of your playlist to match your interval workouts. For instance, if you’re doing an interval run with 3 minutes of fast running and 2 minutes of slower jogging for a total of 30 minutes, design your playlist to fit that pattern. Go for a fast-moderate-fast structure and ensure the song lengths align with your interval timings.

As you’re mindful of these, you also want to ensure that you are mindful of some other elements like lyrics, volume, and bass because they can also impact your workout. Nevertheless, don’t let these elements blind you from the tempo, because it is highly relevant to your success in building your own super ultimate workout playlist.

How do I incorporate music into my workouts?

A lot has already been said about the role music plays during your workouts. And the truth remains that music has always been intertwined with our lives. It wields huge influence over our emotions and enhances our experiences. More so, it acts as a powerful conditioning tool that helps us train more effectively. As you work on building your ultimate workout playlist, it’s essential that you break down your workout routine into three phases:

• Before the workout
• During the workout
• After the workout

Each phase can benefit from the right music and offer significant advantages when the tunes are well-chosen.

• Before the workout

There are essentially two approaches:

Firstly, listening to calm and soothing songs can help you relax was reduce tension and how nervous you are before you commence your workout.

Secondly, calm and soothing songs might not be the best option for you during this phase, especially if you’ll be engaging in strength training such as cross-training, weightlifting, or powerlifting.

In this case, songs with high BPM are recommended because they can enhance focus and provide the determination needed for such training.

If you’re going for the first option, songs with 70 to 100 BPM will just fine. For the second option, which is motivational, songs with 120 to 140 BPM are more ideal.

• During the workout

During workouts, music helps in releasing endorphins and amps up your excitement for what’s ahead.

Our favorite tunes trigger positive emotions, turning them into fuel for strength and determination. For instance, when tackling a Cross Training wod like an EMOM, a motivational playlist can push you to perform at your best.

Other perks of listening to music during workouts include:

• Boosting motivation
• Helping you power through those final reps
• Reducing stress levels

• After the workout

After a tough workout, winding down with your favorite relaxing songs is just what the doctor ordered. They help lower your heart rate and ease your breathing back to normal, bringing your body back to a state of calm.

One of the mistakes a lot of people make is that they tend to overlook the importance of post-workout relaxation. Using a playlist of relaxing music during your cool-down and stretching session can help you focus on your movements and speed up your recovery for the upcoming workout. It can also play a role in helping you sleep better.

Music Services Where you Can Enjoy Ultimate Workout Playlist

Let’s face it. Creating your own workout playlist can be quite challenging. Sure, it can be fun but why go through the stress of adding each song to create a playlist when you can just take advantage of streaming music services that are loaded with hours of workout-specific music ready to go?

• Fit Radio: This streaming service is all about BPM-specific workouts. They offer premade playlists tailored to distinct heart rate ranges across various genres. What sets Fit Radio apart is how DJs mix playlists with quick cuts and seamlessly blend songs, giving you a lot of variety to keep your workout dynamic and engaging.
• RockMyRun: It works much like Fit Radio, where DJs curate playlists based on activity, BPM, and genre. However, don’t be deceived by its name, RockMyRun supports all types of workouts. What makes RockMyRun stand out is its quick-adjust feature, which lets you easily change the tempo of your playlist on the fly, giving you greater control over your music experience during workouts.
• Apple Music: A lot of us are no stranger to Apple Music. Apple Music offers a dedicated section just for workout playlists. All you have to do is to simply head to “Browse” and navigate to “Music by Mood” to discover the fitness category. There, you’ll find playlists tailored for HIIT, yoga, lifting, and a host of other activities, along with playlists specific to different music genres. These playlists are regularly updated, so if you find something you enjoy, make sure to add it to your library to keep your workout music fresh and motivating.
• Spotify: Spotify is another great option, similar to Apple Music, for finding ready-made workout playlists. They regularly update their playlists and add new ones, covering a wide range of genres and BPM ranges. Each playlist also comes with catchy names like “Beast Mode” or “Rock ‘n’ Run,” making it easy to pick one that suits your workout style and mood.
• Jog.fm: Jog.fm is a handy tool for runners looking to sync their music with their pace. Simply enter your mile pace, and it’ll suggest songs that match it perfectly. There’s also an avenue for you to explore popular music categorized by different running paces if you’re not sure what to choose.
• PaceDJ: This is a nifty app that scans your music collection to help you create a workout playlist tailored to your tempo preferences. It automatically detects your running or walking pace and selects songs that match it perfectly. You can also pick from a variety of ready-made playlists if you’re looking for specific tempo-driven vibes.

Final Thoughts on Top Tips to Build the Ultimate Workout Playlist

Creating the ultimate workout playlist for a top-notch workout performance is not just about enhancing your exercise routine—it’s a journey in itself. Whether you’re hitting the trails on your bike or grinding it out in the gym, your playlist can adapt to any fitness environment to improve your workout performance. The key is to maintain consistency with the tempo that complements your activity, keeping you motivated from start to finish. Remember, while music adds excitement, it’s important to prioritize safety by not blasting your tunes too loudly to protect your ears. So, go ahead, curate your playlist, and let the beats guide you towards achieving your fitness goals with enthusiasm and safety in mind!