I spend a lot of time in the gym or doing sports outdoors so I’m always looking for songs that can thrill and motivate me during workouts. Running that last mile/adding kilos to a personal record isn’t easy.
Unfortunately, the playlists I see online appear to be made by people who’s idea of “sport” is sleeping or going for a brisk walk. If you like meaty guitar riffs, a thumping bass and energizing drums, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something good.
That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of 50 working tracks that won’t put you to sleep. It’s music that’ll make you tap your foot, shimmy out of your chair and knock out some personal records next time you’re in the gym. Enjoy.
The Playlist
- Title Fight - Stab
- AC/DC – Hard As A Rock
- Danny Brown – Grown Up
- AC/DC – Back In Black
- Darq E Freaker ft. Danny Brown – Blueberry
- Sublime – Seed
- Queens of the Stone Age – 3′s and 7′s
- Fugazi – Waiting Room
- Basement Jaxx – I Want U
- Mr Scruff – Music Takes Me Up
- The Menzingers – Mexican Guitars
- Hilltop Hoods – The Nosebleed Section
- Reef – How To Lose Your Mind
- Pretty Lights – More Important Than Michael Jordan
- iosonouncane – Il Corpo Del Reato
- Modest Mouse – Ocean Breathes Salty
- Kid Cudi – Just What I Am
- Kendrick Lamar ft. Jay Rock – Money Trees
- Rage Against The Machine – Wake Up
- Rage Against The Machine – Renegades of Funk
- Simian Mobile Disco – Hustler
- Three 6 Mafia – Sippin’ On Some Syrup
- A$AP Rocky – Out Of This World
- Papa Roach – Last Resort
- Dr Dre ft. Snoop Dogg – Still D.R.E
- Curren$y – Up Here
- Bad Cabbage – Your Rude
- Dizzee Rascal – Fix Up, Look Sharp
- The Menzingers – I Can’t Seem To Tell
- Dilated Peoples ft. Kanye West – This Way
- Big Sean – Supa Dupa
- David Guetta vs. Snoop Dogg – Sweat
- Audio Bullys – Only Man
- deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon
- Crime In Stereo – Drugwolf
- Breaking Benjamin – So Cold
- Major Lazer & La Roux – Bulletproof (Nacey Remix)
- Symphony X – The Odyssey
- Tech N9ne – Demons
- Curren$y, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross – Choosin’
- Venetian Snares – Ongyilkos Vasarnap
- Max Romeo – Chase The Devil (D&B Remix)
- Outkast – Return Of The G
- The Killers – Read My Mind
- Flux Pavilion - I Can’t Stop
- Junkie XL – Mushroom
- J. Cole – I’m Coming Home
- Justice vs. Simian – We Are Your Friends
- Maybeshewill - Seraphim & Cherubim
- Notorious B.I.G. vs. Elton John - Juicy/Tiny Dancer Mash-Up
There’s something in that list for everyone. Whether you’re jogging, snowboarding, lifting weights or doing something entirely different, have fun blasting these songs. I look forward to seeing everyone’s favorite workout tracks in the comment section below!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m one of those weird people who likes to train in silence; I feel like music can be distracting and I have better focus on the mind-muscle connection without it. The same thing goes for having other people around me and even mirrors.
That’s actually why I haven’t been to a commercial gym for a few years now. I lift alone, in my basement, where it’s quiet and I feel well in-tune with my body — just me and the iron, methodically building strength.
Not that I think there’s anything wrong with a conventional approach to exercise though; that’s just my personal niche I’ve developed over the years. I wasn’t always this way:
Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet” (1986) is my favorite workout album. I also used to like to listen to metal when I lifted — sometimes even just talk radio — and eurobeat when I went running.
I envy that you have a private gym. I go to a commercial one but constantly daydream about having a good home setup – a good squat rack is especially difficult to keep home in the city.
As for music… Again, I’m kinda jealous of you. It’s hard for me to give max effort without music, but that’s in part because it’s better than listening to what they play at most gyms! I’d love to experiment with lifting in silence if I could come to lift at a quiet time. I think the potential a better mind-muscle connection and more focus is definitely there.