What’s On Your Gym Playlist? Our Favorite Workout Songs

Listening to the right music is as essential to some people’s workouts as remembering to bring their workout clothes and shoes to the gym.

Music affects us on many levels, from a simple instinct to tap your foot along to the beat to the emotional response you feel when hearing a song that takes you back to a different time in your life. Research shows that workout music can distract from pain and help increase endurance. Music listeners often increase their distance, speed, and exerted effort without even realizing it!

While we all respond to music, we all respond to different music in different ways. Check out some of the staff picks below and if their reasons for inclusion resonate with you, give them a shot on your playlist!

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“Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons
Tracy Cusick, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“I like the message about taking on the challenges, hardships, etc. that life may throw at you and rising above and crushing them down. Nothing comes for free but it’s all worth it in the end. Set an intention of what you want and GO FOR IT!! Whatever it takes. Prove you are stronger than others may realize and nothing is going to bring you down.”

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“Dance with Me” by Chris Lake and Walker & Royce
Liz Atkins, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“I don’t really look for lyrics when I’m putting together a playlist for my workout; I just need something with a good beat to help get me through it. This is my favorite EDM workout song right now!”

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“United States” by Smashing Pumpkins
Greg Georgis, fit815 Publisher, FitMe Wellness Owner & Founder

“From their totally forgettable album Zeitgeist, ‘United States’ clocks in at nearly 10 minutes. Jimmy Chamberlin’s furious drumming brutalizes listeners with a beat that’s tailor-made for the exhaustion at the end of a difficult workout. I’d have it on my spin playlists for when class was nearly 75 percent over. It would start to play and you’d hear a collective moan from the class, knowing the next 10 minutes would be pure hell. If you need a song to keep going when your body is telling you to stop, this is it. Not a gentle or relaxing listen — so dig down deep and find your fit.”

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“I Don’t Care Anymore” by Phil Collins
Nichole Hexom, FitMe Wellness staff associate

“This is my go-to for working a tough set . . . The message is moving on from negativity and not letting it get you down. It’s a good motivator, not just in life, but for pushing through those last reps when you almost want to give up — but knowing that you’re doing it for you, and not anyone else.”

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“Nonstop” by Drake
Rachel Carlson, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“I tend to play a song that I like on repeat until I’m so sick of it that I don’t want to hear it again. Right now, this is my favorite jam to listen to while lifting weights.”

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“Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
Stephanie Shrum, FitMe Wellness spin instructor

“The song never had any meaning to me until one night I was riding the spin bike listening to music on Pandora and it came on. This was at a time when I was pretty discouraged with my recovery [from a serious car accident], and felt like the pain was taking over; I was losing people in my life and I didn’t know how much longer I could keep going. The song inspired me that night to keep fighting and still, nearly two years after the accident, I’m still fighting.”

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“Northern Star” by Hole
Ryan Hoskinson, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“This song has been with me since my days of playing football in college. My father passed away when I was young and it was a powerful source of emotion for me. I’d listen to this song before games and channel those emotions in to my play on the field. I’m older now and can’t play football anymore, but the deep emotional response I have when I listen to the song helps ratchet up my workout intensity.”

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“Die a Happy Man” by Thomas Rhett
Thomas Craig, FitMe Wellness Director of Membership Sales

“Thomas Rhett’s fairly new to country music and has become one of my favorite artists. I chose this song because during the past year I married my soulmate. My now-wife asked me to find a song for our wedding, and after days and weeks of searching, this one was perfect. The lyrics couldn’t explain any better how I feel about her. So to sum it up, this song brings a smile to my face and puts love in my heart . . . and for those who know me, I do wear my heart on my sleeve.”

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“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
Tosha Pastorek, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“It never fails; from start to finish, this song puts me in ‘go’ mode. Whatever workout is standing in front of me, no problem. This song make me feel unstoppable. Watch out, excuse me, I’m on a mission to be my best self. Just need my jump rope and a flight of stairs.”

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“Great Spirit” by Armin Van Buuren & Vini Vici (feat. The Hilight Tribe)
Matthew Bralick, FitMe Wellness staff associate

“This song combines two of my most favorite influences, hard-techno trance music and Native American culture. I’ve always been infatuated with Native American culture since I was a boy, and hearing the strong and powerful chanting of The Hilight Tribe over the fast-paced techno beat just makes me want to push my workout to the next level!”

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“Everyday World of Bodies” by Rodan
Marc Kinnemann, fit815 Magazine Editor-in-Chief, FitMe Wellness Dir. of Operations

“Just over the 12-minute mark, this song is perfect for killing a big chunk of my cardio time on the treadmill or bike. Rodan’s music has been cited as a progenitor of the post-rock genre. Instead of a tight, verse-chorus pop-rock composition, the song trudges through valleys and climbs peaks. The most intense parts, especially the desperation in the singer’s vocals, summon energy to push myself harder. The instrumentation in the less-intense parts is interesting enough to help me forget how little I care for cardio.”

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“Arena” by Fabian Mazur & Snavs
Katie Rose Potter, FitMe Wellness staff associate

“This song is very simple; there are not many lyrics. I always get a very powerful feeling when I hear it. It definitely hypes me up, and makes me feel like I am preparing for something big to happen! The overall tone of the song is very strong. Mental and physical strength is something we all strive for.”

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“Walkin’ on a Pretty Day” by Kurt Vile
Josh Hunt, FitMe Wellness personal trainer

“I chose this song because it’s a longer song and I prefer those when I work out. It’s easy to get into a good zone or rhythm because it is a mid-tempo song with extended guitar jams that can put me in a trance and help keep me more focused than a higher tempo song, which I find distracting.”

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“Here Comes Elastigirl” from Incredibles 2
Zach Thanasilangkul, fit815 Magazine contributor

“If you don’t think the Incredibles 2 soundtrack is one of the best movie scores in the past few years, you’re wrong. This superhero theme song in particular is full of fast-paced energy that will make you feel pretty super yourself. And who doesn’t need more of that in their life? Bonus points if you jam out to the a capella version.”