One of my biggest hindrances to working out is a lack of motivation. When seeking ways to motivate yourself, music is a great way to spark encouragement. The right playlist can turn a slogging treadmill session into an energizing experience or make even the toughest workout feel manageable. Here are a few tips on how to craft the perfect motivating playlist for any workout ranging from pilates to weight training.
Tempo
When building a new, perfect workout playlist, it’s important to consider tempo and energy. I advise that you look to match the playlist and beat to the type of exercise being worked on. For a high-energy workout, the playlist should have a higher tempo with more BPM (beats per minute). For a lower energy workout, music should be calming or relaxing, with a slower beat and a relaxing back track. The type of songs on the playlist can push your motivation, helping you maintain intensity during cardio sessions.
Emotions
When crafting a workout playlist the type of emotions portrayed in the songs sometimes matters too. For a high energy workout confidence boosting songs can provide extra motivation if you hit a slump. Sometimes during slower workouts or stretches, heartfelt music can put you in your feels and keep you grounded and in the moment.
Rotate
Another tip for crafting the perfect playlist is to be sure to rotate out the songs in your playlist every now and again. Especially if you’re a person that gets bored easily, branching out and finding new music can always be a good way to make workouts go quicker. Take recommendations from friends, Spotify and even TikTok to find new artists and revisit old bangers through a new lens.
Moods
My final tip is to curate your playlist to your mood. Some days you need a heartbreak playlist, other days you need an angry hyper playlist. Nothing gets you in the mood to workout quite like a passionate playlist. Creating mood specific playlists ensures you always have the right vibe and that you are ready to go.
Recommendations
Lastly I’d like to give you some song recommendations that match specific vibes and workouts. Songs like “AAAHH MEN!” by Doja Cat, “At Least I’m Hot” by Renee Rap and “Cheeky” by The Dare are perfect songs for a hype, confidence boosting playlist. For a playlist to walk/run to containing songs with a good beat, I recommend “Go Go Juice” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Alter Ego” by Doechii and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND” by RAYE. I don’t have many recommendations for slower songs, but Laufey’s latest album is perfect for a yoga workout or a stretching session.
All in all, the perfect workout playlist isn’t about having the trendiest songs or the fastest beats, it’s about creating a soundtrack that works for you. Music can elevate your mood, sharpen your focus and turn even the hardest workout into something you can power through with confidence. By experimenting with tempo, mixing in meaningful tracks and updating your playlist to match your goals and energy level, you give yourself one more tool to stay motivated. So the next time you’re struggling to lace up your shoes or hit start on the treadmill, press play on a playlist designed to move you and let the music do the rest.
