Workout Music

The best workout music is music you like. It's what moves you. It's what gets you over the hump when you want to give up and go sit in the steam room instead. Below are some of my favorite go-to workout songs and the workouts with which I think they're best suited.

Spinning and Biking (S)

Look for songs with strong beats for hills; choose fast rockers for sprints and pick anything lively when you're just pedaling.

Elliptical (E)

Elliptical workouts are similar to spinning in that you can adjust the resistance and either move very quickly at low resistance or very slowly at a high resistance, to mimic a climb. Look for songs that are similar to the speed at which you're going.


Weight Training (W)

The key word is power. Choose songs that have heavy beats and driving rhythms that push you to choose a heavier weight and do an extra 15 reps. What gets you going? Slow or quiet music will only relax you. Save that stuff for the trip home.

Treadmill - Running or Walking (T)

Since there's no rhythm to keep and you can set your speed and go, choose music that will simply keep you going and energize you. But be safe and look for songs that are close to the speed at which you're walking or running. Too fast or slow, and you risk hurting yourself or getting flung off the machine if you're not paying attention. And then you'll be known at the gym as the person who was flung off the machine. Is that what you want?

Cool Down and Stretching (C)

Look for songs that slow you down. Cool down music can have beats, but keep them soft and quiet. You want music that will help you focus on your breathing and inspire you to stretch more deeply. 

Great Workout Songs (updated January 27, 2010)

(alphabetical by artist)


Go Go Gadget Heart, Birdie Busch (E, C)

It Feels Alright, The Black Lips (T, E, S, W)

September Gurls, Big Star (C)
Brain Damage, The Blake Babies (S, E, C)

TV Set, The Cramps (W)
Rudie Can't Fail, The Clash (E, W)

Beautiful World, Devo (S, E, T, C)

Second-Hand News, Fleetwood Mac (S, E, T)
Take Me Out, Franz Ferdinand (S, E, T)

Nashville, Giant Bear (C)
Sex Beat, The Gun Club (S, E, T)

I Need You Back, Ben Kweller (S, E, T)

We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!, Le Loup (S)
Kitchen, Lemonheads (E, T)
Me and Mia, Ted Leo & Pharmacists (S, E, T)

Golden Boy, The Mendoza Line (S, E, W)
Cowboy Dan, Modest Mouse (S)
Convenient Parking, Modest Mouse (S, E)

Waiting for a War, Morning Benders (S, E, T)

88 Lines About 44 Women, The Nails (S, E, T)

Big Ups, Noise Addict (S, W, C)

That's How It Goes, Noise Addict (T, C)

Shady Lane, Pavement (C)

Stereo, Pavement (T)
Young Folks, Peter, Bjorn & John (E, T)
Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me, The Pipettes (S)

Cactus, Pixies (S, E)
Levitate Me, Pixies (S, E, T)

Judy is a Punk, The Ramones (S, W)

Bastards of Young, The Replacements (S, E, T, W)
We're All Stuck Out In the Desert, Johnathan Rice (T, C)
Drunkards Worst Nightmare, The Rosebuds (E, T)

L.E.S. Artistes, Santogold (T)
Sweet and Tender Hooligan, The Smiths (S)
Take Me to the Riot, Stars (T)

Great DJ, The Ting Tings (S, E, T, W)
Shut Up and Let Me Go, The Ting Tings (S)
We Walk, The Ting Tings (E, T)

Where Do You Run To?, Vivian Girls (S)

Heads Will Roll, Yeah Yeah Yeahs (S, E, T)

Heavy Metal Drummer, Wilco (E, T)

Do you have a favorite workout song? Let me know in the comments!