Listening to music while running and working out can make time fly by. Perceived rate of exertion, or PRE, is a generalized way to measure how hard someone feels they are working. According to the United States Sports Academy, runners that listened to music decreased their lap time. They also reported that their study participants experienced a significant decrease in their perceived level of exertion when they used songs during a run.
The genre of songs isn't as important as the relative enjoyment of the music. Try new genres of workout music to build a good exercise playlist. Upbeat songs with a faster tempo with naturally encourage a quicker pace. Rock, alternative, pop, and motion picture soundtracks offer great songs with a buoyant feel.
Rock Workout Songs
Rock has always been a workout staple. Try these rock songs to intensity your next workout.
- Devil's Swing by Godsmack
- Awake and Alive by Skillet
- Crawl by Breaking Benjamin
- Lacerated by Shinedown
- War and Peace by Godsmack
- We Don't Care at All by Alter Bridge
- Again by Fuel
- Makeshift by 32 Leaves
- Nice to Feel the Sun by Earshot
- Gypsy Boots by Aerosmith
Alternative Songs Playlist
From 90s alternative to new grunge bands, alternative songs offer a unique beats and lyrics that can easily keep your interest.
- Crazy Girl by Blacklips
- Rearviewmirror by Pearl Jam
- Sleep Now in the Fire by Rage Against the Machine
- The Hand that Feeds by Nine Inch Nails
- My World by Sick Puppies
- Fake it by Seether
- Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars
- Icky Thump by the White Stripes
- Fat Lip by Sum 41
- Mr. Jones by Counting Crows
Pop Workout Music
It's call "pop" for a good reason: this music features catchy tunes that keep your feet moving and earns its popularity.
- California Gurls by Katy Perry
- My Life Would Suck Without You by Kelly Clarkson
- Life on the Moon by David Cook
- 4 Minutes by Madonna
- Funhouse by Pink
- Money Honey by Lady Gaga
- One Tribe by Black Eyed Peas
- Diva by Beyonce
- No Hay Igual by Nelly Fertado
- Pray for You by Jaron and the Long Road to Love
Motion Picture Soundtrack Tunes
Keep an ear out for good workout tunes in movies you seem to enjoy. Many are by popular artists and are fitting for good workout playlists.
- Sure Shot by Beastie Boys on the Shrek Forever After Soundtrack
- Galaxy Bounce by the Chemical Brothers on the Tomb Raider Soundtrack
- New Divide by Linkin Park on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack
- Burn it to the Ground by Nickelback, also on the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Soundtrack
- Welcome Home by Coheed and Cambria on the 9 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Die Another Day by Madonna on The Best of Bond...James Bond Album
- Speed by Atari Teenage Riot on the Fast and the Furious Soundtrack
- The Baraccuda by The 5, 6, 7, 8's also on the Fast and the Furious Soundtrack
- Nothin' But a Good Time by Poison on the Mr. and Mrs. Smith Soundtrack
- Crazy by Alanis Morissette on the Devil Wears Prada Soundtrack
Try compiling a few playlists to rotate for runs and workouts. New pop songs, rock tunes, groovy alternative music, and a plethora of soundtrack albums all have a place on a well-rounded workout playlist. Find songs that are easy to zone out to, which will make the workout fly by.
“You can't tell a kid that it's time to exercise; that's a turn-off...you have to say 'Let's go to the park and have some fun.' Then you get them to do some running, play on the swings, practice on the balance beam, basically get a full workout disguised as play.” Arnold Schwarzenegger
Try more Running Songs and Playlists and Good Workout Songs to Make the Best Playlist.
Dianna Griffis - Dianna, better known as Sunny, could write before she could walk. She knew professional writing would be her lifeline from a very early ...
