Scientists Create the Ultimate Workout Playlist

The motivational effects of music have been getting some attention recently. Sports scientists from Brunel University pooled their data with music streaming superpower Spotify to develop the ultimate workout playlist.

The playlist combined popular tracks from Spotify’s 6.7 million workout playlists with music which has been proven to increase motivation, based predominantly on its tempo (BPM), along with its style and lyrical content. It includes songs from the likes of Lady Gaga, Macklemore, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia. Take a look at what made the list here.

Dr Costas Karageorghis from Brunel University said that by increasing the music tempo by just a few BPMs, you can imperceptibly up your workout output – meaning that you can work harder without even realising it.

In fact, Dr Karageorghis added that a suitably tailored playlist can redirect feelings of fatigue and breathlessness during a workout into much more positive emotions. So the right music during a workout can literally combat the negative effects of fatigue to help you work harder.

The study also found some demographic differences between playlist preferences. Women were more inclined to exercise in the morning to pop music like Rihanna or Lady Gaga, whereas men preferred afternoon or evening sessions with a soundtrack of classic rock or hip hop. Apparently “Eye of the Tiger” was a favourite!

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