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The Best Streaming Playlists for Every Type of Workout
Choosing the right playlist for your next workout may seem like a decision to make based on your mood. But there’s actually some science to consider before you open your favorite music app.
Research shows that people have the ability to synchronize their movements with the tempo of the music they’re listening to. And studies show that doing this during exercise can lead to improved performance.
That means in addition to finding the genre of music you like working out to, you may also want to factor in beats per minute based on the target heart rate range for the type of exercise you’re doing.
We rounded up the top workout playlists from the three biggest music streaming platforms, Amazon Music®, Spotify®, and YouTube Music®, and analyzed the BPMs to help you find the right playlist for whatever workout you’re doing.
Browse by workout category, then check out the full list of 30 playlists to find specific music genres in various target heart rate zones.
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Key Findings
Decades-based playlists have a wide range of beats per minute, so it's important to pay attention to tempo to make sure you’re striving toward the right target heart rate.
You can still work up a sweat with Christian and country tunes—playlists in both genres averaged over 125 beats per minute, which works well for steady-state cardio.
Hip-hop and pop workout playlists tend to average 130 beats per minute or more, making these genres a good choice for higher intensity workouts.
Amazon Music® and Spotify® have more options for slower playlists than YouTube Music®.
Here are general recommendations for target heart rate zones for various types of exercise. Remember that your individual target heart rate range will vary based on factors like your age, fitness level, and overall health.
Warm-Up and Weightlifting: 100 to 140 Heart Beats per Minute (BPM)
100 BPM Workout (Amazon Music®): 104.9 average song BPM
’90s Workout (Amazon Music®): 114.1 average song BPM
Heavy Workout (Spotify®): 117.6 average song BPM
Beast Mode Hip-Hop (YouTube Music®): 119.2 average song BPM
gymcore (Spotify®): 119.2 average song BPM
Alternative Metal Workout (YouTube Music®): 119.8 average song BPM
Throwback Workout (Spotify®): 119.8 average song BPM
Jogging and Other Steady-State Cardio: 120 to 140 Heart Beats per Minute (BPM)
Hard Rock Workout (Amazon Music®): 120.5 average song BPM
Throwback Workout (YouTube Music®): average song 121.5 BPM
2000s Workout (Amazon Music®): 121.5 average song BPM
Beast Mode (Spotify®): 122.2 average song BPM
Workout Pulse (Amazon Music®): 123.9 average song BPM
Country Workout (Amazon Music®): 125.3 average song BPM
Gymnastics Workout (Amazon Music®): 125.7 average song BPM
Yoga & Meditation (Spotify®): 125.7 average song BPM
’10s Workout (YouTube Music®): 125.9 average song BPM
Rap Workout (Spotify®®): 126.8 average song BPM
’00s Workout: YouTube Music®): 127.1 average song BPM
’80s Workout (Amazon Music®): 129.7 average song BPM
Zumba and Dance: 130 to 170 Heart Beats per Minute (BPM)
Hip-Hop Workout (Amazon Music®): 130.2 average song BPM
’90s Workout (YouTube Music®): 130.3 average song BPM
Cardio Hip Hop (YouTube Music®): 130.8 average song BPM
Cardio Pop (YouTube Music®): 131.2 average song BPM
hot girl walk (Spotify®): 133.3 average song BPM
HIIT Workout (YouTube Music®): 134 average song BPM
Beast Mode Hip-Hop (Spotify®): 136.2 average song BPM
Christian Workout (Amazon Music®): 136.4 average song BPM
Pumped Pop (Spotify®): 136.9 average song BPM
CrossFit and HIIT: 140 to 180+ Heart Beats per Minute (BPM)
Tollywood Party (YouTube Music®): 144 average song BPM
Locked In (Spotify®): 146.1 average song BPM
1. 100 BPM Workout (Amazon Music®): 104.9 average song BPM
2. ’90s Workout (Amazon Music®): 114.1 average song BPM
3. Heavy Workout (Spotify®): 117.6 average song BPM
4. Beast Mode Hip-Hop (YouTube Music®) and gymcore (Spotify®): 119.2 average song BPM (tied)
6. Alternative Metal Workout (YouTube Music®) and Throwback Workout (Spotify®): 119.8 average song BPM (tied)
8. Hard Rock Workout (Amazon Music®): 120.5 average song BPM
9. Throwback Workout (YouTube Music®): 121.5 average song BPM
10. 2000s Workout (Amazon Music®): 121.5 average song BPM
11. Beast Mode (Spotify®): 122.2 average song BPM
12. Workout Pulse (Amazon Music®): 123.9 average song BPM
13. Country Workout (Amazon Music®): 125.3 average song BPM
14. Gymnastics Workout (Amazon Music®): 125.7 average song BPM
15. Yoga & Meditation (Spotify®): 125.78 average song BPM
16. ’10s Workout (YouTube Music®): 125.9 average song BPM
17. Rap Workout (Spotify®): 126.8 average song BPM
18. ’00s Workout (YouTube Music®): 127.1 average song BPM
19. ’80s Workout (Amazon Music®): 129.7 average song BPM
20. Hip-Hop Workout (Amazon Music®): 130.2 average song BPM
21. ’90s Workout (YouTube Music®): 130.3 average song BPM
22. Cardio Hip Hop (YouTube Music®): 130.8 average song BPM
23. Cardio Pop (YouTube Music®): 131.2 average song BPM
24. hot girl walk (Spotify®): 133.3 average song BPM
25. HIIT Workout (YouTube Music®): 134 average song BPM
26. Beast Mode Hip-Hop (Spotify®): 136.2 average song BPM
27. Christian Workout (Amazon Music®): 136.4 average song BPM
28. Pumped Pop (Spotify®): 136.9 average song BPM
29. Tollywood Party (YouTube Music®): 144 average song BPM
30. Locked In (Spotify®): 146.1 average song BPM
We chose the top 10 workout playlists on the three largest music streaming platforms: Amazon Music®, Spotify®, and YouTube Music®. From there, we used SongBPM to find the tempo of each playlist’s first 10 songs in order to average its intensity. Then we assigned playlists to the appropriate workout category based on target heart rate ranges from Startle Music.
Create personalized fitness goals: Everyone has a different reason for hitting the gym on top of everything else going on in life. Be intentional about why you’re making the time to get healthier, whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle, or becoming more flexible. Having a defined goal that’s realistic and actionable can help you figure out the best exercises and intensities to reach your desired outcomes.
Mix up your workout routine: Researchers hypothesize that novelty may be a factor that contributes to consistency with exercise over time. In other words, trying new workouts can increase your enjoyment and keep you motivated to continue working out. Grab a friend and sign up for that new workout class in your neighborhood you’ve been eyeing.
Be mindful of diet: Drinking plenty of water and eating nutritious protein-rich food in mindful portion sizes can help support your fitness goals. High-protein foods, legumes, healthy fats, and of course, plenty of fruits and vegetables all fuel your body before and after your favorite workout.
4 Sources
- Karageorghis, C., et al. (December 2011). Music in the exercise domain: a review and synthesis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3339577/
- No author. (August 2024). Target Heart Rate Charts. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/target-heart-rates#:~:text=Target%20heart%20rate%20during%20moderate,them%20as%20a%20general%20guide
- Song BPM. https://songbpm.com/
- Picken, J. (January 2023). The Best Music for Exercise and Working Out. https://www.startlemusic.com/blog/lets-get-physical-the-best-music-for-exercise
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Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Mike Bohl, MD
Dr. Mike Bohl is a licensed physician, the Director of Medical Content & Authority at Hims & Hers, and a member of the Obesity Medicine Association. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Bohl worked in digital health at Ro, focusing on patient education, and as the Director of Scientific & Medical Content at a stealth biotech PBC, working on pharmaceutical drug development. He has also worked in medical journalism for The Dr. Oz Show (receiving recognition for contributions from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences when the show won Outstanding Informative Talk Show at the 2016–2017 Daytime Emmy® Awards) and at Sharecare, and he is a Medical Expert Board Member at Eat This, Not That!.
Dr. Bohl obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Medicine from Brown University, his Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership from Cornell University, his Master of Public Health from Columbia University, and his Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies—Journalism from Harvard University. Dr. Bohl trained in internal medicine with a focus on community health at NYU Langone Health, and he has earned a Certificate of Advanced Education in Obesity Medicine from the Obesity Medicine Association.
Dr. Bohl is Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners, Medical Writer Certified by the American Medical Writers Association, a certified Editor in the Life Sciences by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences, a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and a Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist by the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. He has graduate certificates in Digital Storytelling and Marketing Management & Digital Strategy from Harvard Extension School and certificates in Business Law and Corporate Governance from Cornell Law School.
In addition to his written work, Dr. Bohl has experience creating medical segments for radio and producing patient education videos. He has also spent time conducting orthopaedic and biomaterial research at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland and practicing clinically as a general practitioner on international medical aid projects with Medical Ministry International.
Dr. Bohl lives in Manhattan and enjoys biking, resistance training, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, tennis, and traveling. You can find Dr. Bohl on LinkedIn for more information.
Publications
Younesi, M., Knapik, D. M., Cumsky, J., Donmez, B. O., He, P., Islam, A., Learn, G., McClellan, P., Bohl, M., Gillespie, R. J., & Akkus, O. (2017). Effects of PDGF-BB delivery from heparinized collagen sutures on the healing of lacerated chicken flexor tendon in vivo. Acta biomaterialia, 63, 200–209. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1742706117305652?via%3Dihub
Gebhart, J. J., Weinberg, D. S., Bohl, M. S., & Liu, R. W. (2016). Relationship between pelvic incidence and osteoarthritis of the hip. Bone & joint research, 5(2), 66–72. https://boneandjoint.org.uk/Article/10.1302/2046-3758.52.2000552
Gebhart, J. J., Bohl, M. S., Weinberg, D. S., Cooperman, D. R., & Liu, R. W. (2015). Pelvic Incidence and Acetabular Version in Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis. Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 35(6), 565–570. https://journals.lww.com/pedorthopaedics/abstract/2015/09000/pelvic_incidence_and_acetabular_version_in_slipped.5.aspx
Islam, A., Bohl, M. S., Tsai, A. G., Younesi, M., Gillespie, R., & Akkus, O. (2015). Biomechanical evaluation of a novel suturing scheme for grafting load-bearing collagen scaffolds for rotator cuff repair. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 30(7), 669–675. https://www.clinbiomech.com/article/S0268-0033(15)00143-6/fulltext