Pump up exercise with these tunes.
Maybe you’ve been spring cleaning your fridge. Or perhaps you’ve been sprucing up the yard after a long winter. But have you refreshed your exercise playlist yet? If not, there’s no reason to wait any longer. This year, artists have released plenty of tunes that will help us get our bodies moving. Check out these 7 best workout songs for 2014 [1].
We all know how good it feels to exercise to music—but did you know that workout songs can boost performance? In one study, exercisers worked out to music played at normal speed, and then again to the same song with the speed increased or decreased by 10 percent. Those who exercised to faster music increased their power and distance covered. Likewise, slowing down the song decreased performance [2].
In addition, a British study discovered that listening to upbeat pop tracks, like those from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Madonna, enhanced endurance by 15% when participants kept time with the beat. The exercisers also reported they felt better during exercise. What’s more, they reported that the music made them feel better even when they were close to exhaustion [3].
RELATED: 7 Exercises for Maximum Definition
For each song, we’ve included the beats per minute (BPM). Many of the best songs for workouts fall in the 115-140 BPM range. Depending on the type of exercise you’re doing and your fitness level, you may find a higher or lower BPM works best for you. Here are some of this year’s most popular songs (in no particular order) to consider adding to your playlist:
1. Into the Blue – Kylie Minogue (116 BPM)
2. Can’t Remember to Forget You – Shakira with Rihanna (139 BPM)
3. #SELFIE – The Chainsmokers (128 BPM)
4. Do What U Want (DJWS Remix) – Lady GaGa with R. Kelly & Rick Ross (99 BPM)
5. Addicted to You – Avicii (128 BPM)
6. Ghost – Mystery Skulls (120 BPM)
7. Animals – Martin Garrix (127 BPM)
Need more workout songs to get that booty moving? Check out:
Stay Inspired with These 75 Workout Songs
Top 10 Pandora Stations for Workouts
Cardio and Weightlifting Playlist (this playlist includes country songs)
70 Love Songs to Get Your Heart Pumping
Are there recently-released workout songs you love that didn’t make it onto this list? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Sources:
[1] Run Hundred
[2] Live Science
