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52 Workout Songs To Help You Get Bigger, Stronger, and Faster
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It is no secret that music has an uncanny ability to motivate us. The right song can make an otherwise dull workout become our finest hour. And now there is scientific evidence to support it, as well as entire businesses dedicated to helping you produce customized workout soundtracks. The benefits of music impact several areas according to HellaSound.com, a website dedicated to helping you find the right music for your workout.
“In academic-speak, the right music is an ergogenic aid—an external influence that positively affects your physiological performance. Wikipedia’s definition breaks ergogenic aid benefits into 3 facets: performance improvement, minimization of distraction and increased recovery.” - HellaSound
It was with this in mind that the 52 best workout songs were selected in an epic exploration of the foot-tapping, guitar-screaming and beat-boxing tracks that have found a welcome home in gyms across America. Most of them famous, some very obscure, but all great songs for running, lifting, spinning and any other workout you can think of.
As for selection criteria one key element stood out from all the rest: tempo. Why? According to experts it is the most important factor in enhancing workout performance because it provides timing and coordination for your movements. Music in the 120-140 beats-per-minute (bpm) range is best for most aerobic exercise because it most closely matches the average person’s heart rate.
In creating this list much attention was also paid to finding a good mix of genres (though most will notice it skewed on the side of rock simply because it tends to have the most uptempo songs), as well as music from different eras (though most will find it skewed in favor of the 90s and today simply because songs like “My Guy” don’t exactly make the average person want to throw around some weights).
Finally, “Eye of the Tiger” was left out because it has been overplayed and now borders more on cheesy than motivational. If this makes you sad then go watch “Rocky” and eat a pint of ice cream.
Now, Art of Manliness presents the 52 best workout songs for your listening pleasure:
1. “Thunderstruck”- AC/DC
2. “Say This Sooner“- The Almost
3. “Keep the Car Running“ - Arcade Fire
4. “Sabotage“ - Beastie Boys
5. “Loser“ - Beck
6. “Ain’t No Easy Way“ - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
7. “Hurricane“ - Bob Dylan
8. “No Woman No Cry (Live At the Lyceum)” - Bob Marley
9. “Unconditional” - The Bravery
10. “The Distance” - Cake
11. “Galvanize” - The Chemical Brothers
12. “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” - The Clash
13. “Crossroads” - Cream
14. “I Believe In a Thing Called Love” - The Darkness
15. “Hands Down“ - Dashboard Confessional
16. “Lose Yourself“ - Eminem
17. “Sunday Shining” - Finley Quaye
18. “Everlong“ - Foo Fighters
19. “The First Single (You Know Me)“ - The Format
20. “Flathead” - The Fratellis
21. “Naked“ - The Goo Goo Dolls
22. “Feel Good Inc“ - Gorillaz
23. “Welcome to the Jungle“ - Guns N’ Roses
24. “Jump Around“ - House of Pain
25. “Numb / Encore“ - Jay-Z & Linkin Park
26. “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)“ - Jimi Hendrix
27. “Bleed American“ - Jimmy Eat World
28. “I Walk the Line“ - Johnny Cash
29. “D.A.N.C.E.” - Justice
30. “Somebody Told Me“ - The Killers
31. “When You Were Young“ - The Killers
32. “Red Morning Light” - Kings of Leon
33. “Immigrant Song“ - Led Zeppelin
34. “Last Light“ - Matt Pond PA
35. “Beat It“ - Michael Jackson OR Fall Out Boy (feat. John Mayer)
36. “Enter Sandman“ - Metallica
37. “Always Love“ - Nada Surf
38. “Here It Goes Again“ - O.K. Go
39 “B.O.B.” - OutKast
40. “Testify“ - Rage Against the Machine
41. “Bulls on Parade“ - Rage Against the Machine
42. “Black Betty“ - Ram Jam
43. “Hide Away” - Rock Kills Kid
44. “Paint It Black“ - The Rolling Stones
45. “Start Me Up (Live)” - The Rolling Stones
46. “Hands Open“ - Snow Patrol
47. “Reptilia“ - The Strokes
48. “Oh! Gravity“ - Switchfoot
49. “All Because of You” - U2
50. “Island In the Sun“ - Weezer
51. “Seven Nation Army“ - The White Stripes
52. “Woman“ - Wolfmother
So, by this time some of you are excited, some are perplexed and still others are furious. Let us know what hidden gem we left uncovered or why you think this is the greatest list of of the last several decades.
Sorry, but this isn’t something I would expect to see here. Disappointed.
while many of these would not have ended up on my list, i must say i’m impressed with the variety. only one made me let out an audible groan for its mistakenly ending up on this list… “islands in the sun” by weezer… really? of all the weezer songs to be on this list, i would not have chosen this one. even “hash pipe” off of the same album would have been better. “buddy holly”, “my name is jonas”, and even “say it ain’t so” would have been much better choices.
fun list. should be fun to see the rest of the feedback.
Interesting list man. I’ll give some of them some downloads.
But while I personally love Dashboard Confessional, why a work out mix?
I’ve never thought of pumping iron and Chris going well together… just my thoughts.
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http://www.asocialblog.com
Agree on the variety - good to see some Arcade Fire!
However, I also have to disagree about the Weezer pick. How about Surf Wax America instead? A lot more driving feel to that song..
A couple additions/revisions to a great list:
Rage Against the Machine - Renegades of Funk - awesome song, same idea as one above, but more of a man-on-a-mission kind of feel like in Cake’s The Distance
Weezer - toss Island in the Sun, replace with Hash Pipe, proceed to get pumped up
Techno - having a techno backdrop can make even grocery shopping feel like a James Bond movie. I recommend Propellerheads, and a track from Prodigy called Hotride
Man, it’s CRAZY how many of these tunes are actually on my workout iPod. I use the Shuffle when I workout because it’s so small and easy to just clip on anywhere.
Some of my other fav workout tunes:
Crazy B*tch, Buckcherry
Infected, Bad Religion
Shake That, EMINEM
The Next Episode, Snoop & Dre
Symphony of Destruction, Megadeth
Quutamo, Apocalyptica
Bang Bang, Rammstein
Best of You - Foo Fighters is one that I would add to the list. Interesting compilation of songs otherwise. Good list Frank, those are several of my picks too.
A good list. Very broad. I’ll check out those songs I’ve never heard. Thanks!
I’ve got several for ya.
Song 2 - Blur (”Wooo Hoooo!!)
Geek Stink Breath - Green Day
Just about anything by System of a Down
The Beautiful People - Marilyn Manson
Leech - Limp Bizkit
Blind, Falling Away from Me - Korn
Just a select few from my iPod
Ack! Thanks so much for dredging up one of the horrors of my childhood. The workout song! Every morning at 9:15 my very manly 6th grade gym teacher (an otherwise nice lady) would set the needle down on a scratchy 45 of Blood, Sweat & Tears’ “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and drill us like we were in boot camp. Same song, same time, every day for an entire year. Horrible.
Can’t agree with the Marley. Too mellow to have on a workout mix.
Ok, I hate to be totally negative but this is the lamest list of workout songs I have ever seen. While there are some good songs for working out, i.e. AC/DC, Guns N Roses, many of these songs are just weak. I can’t imagine what kind of physical activity one would perform to a Bob Marley song other than getting off the couch to refill the bong. Weezer, White Stripes, Bob Dylan??? Are you even breaking a sweat?
I love Johnny Cash but his music is not something you listen to while getting huge. I have drunk my share of whiskey listening to Cash and that activity tended to make me fill large and in charge but working out had nothing to do with it.
If you are going to to the weight room to do anything more than just stand around and get in the way of people actually trying to accomplish something then I suggest you stick to music with a hard driving beat that will motivate you get get your heart rate to the same level. Your hard rock and heavy metal selections are good choices. However selections like Bob Marley, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan make me question the intensity of your work outs.
Don’t get me wrong, as a list of favorite songs this is not all that bad. However, as a workout playlist it fails on several levels
The Bob Marley is an odd choice. Here are a couple of must haves:
Steve Stevens - Hellcats Take the Highway
Van Halen - Right Now.
Propellerheads - Spybreak
Personally I find alot of these a bit too slow, although I was surprised to see The White Stripes (One of my favorite bands).
Where’s the
Nine Inch Nails?
Skillet?
Breaking Benjamin?
Nirvana?
P.O.D.?
Three Days Grace?
Things have to be pretty heavy to help me workout.
~DSM from the forums
How could you give the post that title and not include “Harder, Better, Faster Stronger” by Daft Punk?
Your comments concerning “Eye of the Tiger” are just wrong. No list of motivational workout songs without this one can be taken seriously. The fact that you felt you had to include a disclaimer for this song to justify its absence proves its durability.
All the grunge rock songs; Pearl Jam (Alive, Porch), Nirvana (Smells Like Teen Spirit), Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Mudhoney, Alice in Chains…
A workout song list with no Pantera?! Blasphemy!
These are great for raising your heart rate but are admittedly very metal:
Broken - Pantera
Cowboys from Hell - Pantera
What Drives The Weak - Shadows Fall
Stockholm Syndrome - Muse
And only one AC/DC song? Come on, Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution is an excellent workout starter.
I would also call anything by Bob Marley totally anti-workout.
It’s quintessential chill out music, hearing the Wailers immediately puts you in the prone position and shuts the brain off.
Remember Me - Hoobastank
Separate Ways - Journey
Hero - Foo Fighters
Bawitdaba - Kid Rock
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
These are all very accessible rock songs that get the blood moving without destroying the ear drums….like some of the Emo garbage on this list.
I’m confounded how The Killers made this list twice when Metallica, AC/DC, Zeppelin, and G’n'R only get one nod. This list is completely suspect. No one can get strong listening to indie music.
Did a woman write it?
This could be a list of “your” favorite songs, but some of these are a tough sell for a workout list. Maikl is right on the grunge stuff. VH’s Right Now should definitely be there. Marley is great but not on this list. Island in the Sun is awesome, but again, not on a workout list. J Cash is a legend, but putting him here is the same as adding a Sinatra tune or Deano melody.
Toughest thing about this is the fact everyone will have their own personal taste. Nevertheless, I’m sure it took awhile to pull it together, so decent effort.
Sorry, but this list sucks. Most of the songs on here seem far too slow to be effective for hyping up the listener.
I’ve been perfecting my personal work out mix for the last year or so, included are bands such as Dragonforce, All That Remains, Bullet for My Valentine, Rancid, Unearth, and lots and lots of techno. Driving bass drum is the most important part of workout music. Keeps the pace.
Finding the right workout song can be a challenge. If I could count the times I put a slow-ish song on my iPod and suffered in my routine because of it, well, then maybe I could by a Big Mac. But that would kind of defeat the purpose …
Lists are great, helpful lists are even better. I don’t own most of these songs … yet … but I’m sure they’ll make their way into iTunes sometime before the end of the week. Thanks for doing the legwork and building me a workout playlist ahead of time!
ajax, like you I first noticed the lack of Pantera. I also noticed the suspicious lack of punk music. No Sex Pistols? Dead Kennedys? Black Flag? Misfits? Hell, listening to Rancid’s “Indestructible” will get you bigger without any physical activity.
Great post. I’m glad that you included a bit of variety both in style as well as in tempo. I think having a slower song thrown into the mix every once in a while is great because it breaks up the monotony of a workout. And then it makes the really pumping songs that much more motivational.
To be clear, I do like alot of the music on this list.
Johnny Cash, Marley, Dylan, Gorillaz, Beck are on regular rotation in my personal juke.
But none of them get the heart rate up.
@Centinel. Amen. Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Ramones, Goldfinger, Chumbawumba (kidding).
dashboard confessional being on this list seems like a terrible, terrible mistake.
Also, to the guy who thought you can’t work out to dylan, I guess you aren’t familiar with that particular song.
If you don’t mind the embarrassment factor, the band that picks me up the most when I am running is Taking Back Sunday (cute without the e, there’s no i in team, you know how i do) and also some Atmosphere (little man, pour me another) or if you want to get really hip and indie, check out some Crystal Castles
Nothing says arguments over the internet like talking about music tastes. I usually just summarize everything anyone can ever say with “your favorite band sucks” and move along.
I would have loved to see Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” on this list. I thought that lyrics like “Work it harder, make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger,” this track would have been a ‘must-have’ for any work out mix.
Galvanize is an awesome song to work out to.
I especially like listening to Rage and Tool when I work out. Definitely motivates.
I’ve found that the entire album And Justice for All… by Metallica is good for running.
I would like to also submit “Fight Like A Brave” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. “Sabotage“ - Beastie Boys
10. “The Distance� - Cake
16. “Lose Yourself“ - Eminem
24. “Jump Around“ - House of Pain
25. “Numb / Encore“ - Jay-Z & Linkin Park
40. “Testify“ - Rage Against the Machine
41. “Bulls on Parade“ - Rage Against the Machine
YESYESYESYES
I would only add, PRODIGY.
Awesome post, hilarious comments! Who know a workout mix could be soooooo controversial!
I could see myself listening to Bob Marley if I were doing pilates. But how manly is that? But if I’m on rep 11 of 13 squats, it’s gotta be:
Equestrian by Les Savy Fav
Neighborhood #3 by Arcade Fire
Machine Gun by Portishead
Or…anything by Botch.
HAHAHA … you actually have MJ’s Beat It on there. … HAHAHAAA…
I would love to see you hit a powerlfiting gym and suggest that!!!
This blog has jumped the shark.
@ anon,
While you may be right about not hearing MJ in powerlifting gym, this list was intended for all types of workouts, from running, to lifting, to cycling. There’s plenty of other songs on the list that would be found in a powerlifting gym like AC/DC, Guns&Roses and Rage.
loser? naaaah…..
bob marley? thats more like laying on a couch all day song.
and fall out boy? no. just…. no.
I really don’t listen to music when I work out. They usually have music on at the gym, but I don’t conscously listen to it. If there is music though it should be fairly consistent and be kind of this background beat the your subconsious tunes into.
Really though, when I work out, it is a time for mind mind to let go and relax while my body works out. Controlling your breathing and heartrate create a meditative state that makes working out rather relaxing. How can you listen to your body if you’re listening to all of this rock instead?
No “Eye of the Tiger?”
Come on.
Man, tough crowd!
@ajax, I agree w/ Pantera as a choice. And Muse “New Born” was one of my favorite songs to start up my heavy bag routine when I did Muay Thai.
Tool’s “Hooker with a Penis” and “Ænema” can also be good psych-up songs for the right workouts. The triplet pattens the drummer frequently incorporates are amazing for running–something we musically like to incorporate into our songs at Hella Sound.
@Cameron, thanks a lot for the mention! I can dig where you’re coming from on some of these songs that people don’t agree with. I would guess that lyrics are an important part of music to you–the meaning behind the song being a big motivator. Music can be so subjective, and not everybody listens that way, but I can dig why you’d get motivation by some of these songs. Thanks again!
A real man’s workout playlist includes Behemoth, Necrophagist, Decapitated, Lamb of God, Meshuggah, Daath, 3 Inches of Blood, and Strapping Young Lad. Otherwise you’re faking it.
Oh, and Gojira. Can’t forget them - amazing French metal.
i can honestly this list was not very well thought out. I mean come on “beat it”
I think that if something pumps you up listen to it. You can’t really define a list of 52 workout songs that are applicable to everyone. Personally my list is all 90’s Grunge Era rock (STP, Local H, Soundgarden, Butthole Surfers), Desert Rock, (Kyuss, QotSA, Meat Puppets) with a “healthy sprinkling” of Metal. (Pantera, Machine Head, old Static X).
I personally believe that if its being played on the radio and you can dance to it, it most definitely SHOULD NOT be on any workout mix, ever.
I would add “Coming to America” by Neil Diamond. It always inspires me and pumps me up!
Many blessings,
Art Gonzalez
Check my Squidoo Lens at: Quantum Knights
Look, all you really need is to get the original Rocky score, throw away every song other than Going The Distance and set that thing on repeat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Wy_8Lt9wU&feature=related
There is nothing that Bill Conti cant make feel epic.
Personally, I have lots of hardcore, fast tempo tunes on my workout list, but I have to mix in some slower stuff to change up the pace–and I do workout HARD. Perhaps it’s because I’m almost 50 and I just can’t listen to an endless string of Pantera, Megadeth and AC/DC. That would make me very cranky. So, I would definitely throw some Marley in there. Dylan…probably not.
Thats funny….songs to help you get bigger. how is a song going to make you bigger?
Some of the songs listed are good for the workout.
I have a couple just off the top of my head.
Die MF Die -Dope
Whatever- Godsmack
Best…post idea…EVER!
Baba O’Reily the Who.
jared, that was the second thought I had after the missing Pantera. Tonight I worked out to Lords of the New Church and New Model Army. It seemed to work just fine. Tomorrow I’m thinking the Black Keys and Silver Chair. Maybe the Beastie Boys or Primus if I am feeling the groove is needed.
Every single song on this list should be in the electronica genre.
Sorry, but definitely not pumping enough!
Yup, half those songs are already on my ipod, i guess i will have to check out the other half. good Job!
No Andrew W.K. or Pantera, yet you find space for Arcade Fire and Cashboard Depressional? COMPLETE, EPIC FAIL.
one of my favorite songs to get me amped up is “the champ” by ghostface. that’s good for a mid-run adrenaline boost.
i gotta say, some more heavy metal is needed in this discussion. i’m partial to chimaira, songs like “power trip”, “pure hatred”, “nothing remains”. lamb of god, static-x, arch enemy, nothingface, as i lay dying, shadows fall, spineshank, or even some slipknot (not much better than fast and angry to get you through a workout). for the foo fighters suggestion, what about “monkey wrench”? that’s pretty uptempo and rockin. for the more punk/ska sound, how about “superman” by goldfinger, some less than jake or reel big fish. “at the speed of a yellow bullet” by head automatica (though most of their first disc would work).
Not sure guys. There should be a rap song in the top 20 at least– on top of it, the first two rap songs are jokes of songs, esp. House of Pain.
I offer this up as a sincere critique that I have with the Art of Manliness, at times, the site may be a bit too, white washed. Considering the problems that we face in the black community with men, NOT manning up, I like to look to the art of manliness as a , source, and way to express masculinity without misogyny or gangsta type posturing.
That said, I don’t often mention this critique, but I think if we are men at this table. It can stand and be talked about and argued about, with respect. I love this blog, I think men have been suffering from an effiminization and I want to bring our good names back. That said I’d like all men from everywhere at this table. May not be the place for this sort of discussion but if not here, where?
@Joel:
funniest reply on the board “I can’t imagine what kind of physical activity one would perform to a Bob Marley song other than getting off the couch to refill the bong.” LMMFAO!!!!!
I noticed Roxette and Cher didn’t make the list.
I read all the replies looking for a mention of The Crystal Method, can’t believe I’m the only one they pump up. Same goes for DMX. Of course Rage makes the list, man I miss them.
Most of this list is for the modern multicultural, angry masses. Most of it is pure junk. Surely, your comment about Survivor’s classic song proves me right. Clearly, there is so much classic rock and even hair metal from the ’80’s that would make a man pump hard in the gym. No real, red-blooded American white guy would listen to the non-melodic excuse for music on this list.
While I like many of the songs listed, I couldn’t see myself working out to them. “Crossroads”, “No Woman, No Cry” and “Voodoo Child”, are three examples where I LOVE the song, but you wouldn’t find them on my list of workout songs.
“Welcome to the Jungle” is definitely on my list, though.
One that has yet to be mentioned that I have to throw into the mix is “Crazy Train” (Ozzy Osbourne)
Loser by Beck?
That one’s not only got a lame tempo, but if you’re actually listening to it, it’s bound to zap you out of the weight room in seconds.
I would like to add to my other previous songs
Liberate-Disturbed
Does anyone have a torrent for good workout music? Could anyone make one? We’d all be very pleased!
Workout music should have a type of cadence, whether it be 4/4 time or 1/4 time, etc. Most of this stuff is blather. This list, for the most part is worhless. Try again.
12 Stones - Anthem for the Underdog
Track #4 - Adrenalin (on the 2007 World’s Strongest Man soundtrack)
Does anyone have a torrent for good workout music? Could anyone make one? We’d all be very pleased!
Cold Hard Bitch by Jet
This reads like a playlist of songs I would use to put myself to sleep. There’s some good one on there, but as has been stated, most of these songs seem too mellow.
I can agree with a couple of these songs, but vital artists are missing, and there is an over abundance of estrogen-driven tunes like Weezer’s Island in the Sun.
See also:
Slipknot
Disturbed
Static-X
Any other Linkin Park
old Metallica
Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit
Eye of the Tiger, cheesy because its overplayed? Well we can scratch a whole bunch of that list then too, like Thunderstruck, Hurricane, The Distance, Jump around, Walk the Line, Beat it, and the list goes on.
Oh and I’d rather watch Rocky III, :p
Workout songs are a good idea, but it is a very subjective idea.
As for those that are making valid comments about the slower songs, some ppl actually remember to warm up and down with stretches.
I love Dashboard Confessional, but if ANY of their songs started playing while in the middle of a run, I’d collapse on the treadmill. DC inspires me to curl up in the corner of a darkened room, not run another 2 miles.
I recommend Guano Apes - Open Your Eyes
Awesome list!
Few from the older generations add…
Iron Man by Black Sabbath
Devil went down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels Band
Slow Ride by Foghat
Hit me with your best shot by Pat Benatar
Jungle Love by Steve Miller Band
One newer one too:
Down by 311
Not nearly enough punk rock on this list IMHO, but then again 2 minute songs don’t give you much time to work out. Anyway here are a few of my workout faves:
Bad Brains - Sail On, FVK, I, Don’t Bother Me
Minutmen - Vietnam
Misfits - Death Comes Ripping, Bullet, She
Fu Manchu - Evil Eye, Written in Stone
obviously these list are so subjective it’s hard not to have some objections, but overall I think it’s a great list with a lot of variety.
How did you manage to leave out “Stronger” by Kanye?
how about ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.
it surely helped Rocky Balboa
Fall Out Boy! and that has to be the worst cover ever. For shame!
Nice list, but could be for any thing from Best Dad Rock Album ever! to most played songs on college radio. Doesn’t have a work out feel to it.
What ever happened to working out without music? Much more manly. It’s just you and the effort.
That’s a pretty terrible playlist. I’m almost certain that no song by Dashboard Confessional should make its way onto anything ‘manly’ related.. Not that it has to be all about distortion and screaming to be on the man’s workout list– Dashboard Confessional embodies what is wrong with the upcoming generation of men. We’re too busy crying, getting bad haircuts, and painting our nails to be productive.
This web site is my new favorite, just love it. But I have to say, this list is almost entirely bunk. Most of the music on the list is for 12 year olds and much of it lacks any real adrenaline at all. Where is the Slipknot, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden or the like? Rap of any sort belongs on no list for individuals who can either read or articulate. The Rolling Stones, to work out with? That has GOT to be some sort of sarcasm. HAS to be. I’d sooner work out to Christopher Cross and The Little River Band. How about Motorhead, Otep and Pantera? Something, driving, energetic and a touch angry?
Hate to say this, but while the list has undoubtedly a lot of good tracks, i must agree with quite a few of the comments that they ain’t exactly work out music for guy’s guy. I do have a few gay friends who may enjoy this sorta music for a workout.
I have workout playlist of all sorts of music too. I forgot to put Beastie Boys on mine though! “It’s a Sabotage!”
I load my mp3 player with lots of different artists and tempos, set it on shuffle and whatever i feel liike listening to at that particular moment is the right music…..
If it doesn’t fit my mood i just go to the next one………