Good Workout Songs – I Need Your Help
A Fitness Blog Post About Workout Music…by Brad Campbell
What’s up lean body lovers? There’s not much in this world that I dig more than music. I mean, I flippin’ HEART me some good beats. In fact, sometimes I feel like my whole life is a music video…
“Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke, man I couldn’t picture this…50-inch screen, money green leather sofa…”
That’s one of my favorite verses from the song Juicy by the Notorious B.I.G. (RIP). For whatever reason, songs like this just move me. I can go from yawning and tired to feeling like I can pick the world up and drop it on your head (again, new Lil Wayne verse there) with the push of my iPod’s play button.
Brad’s Current Workout Mix, Part 1:
Being an entrepreneur that generally works from home, combined with all my workouts and the “pre-workout get pumped up rituals,” I usually have music playing about 80% of the time I’m awake. This has led to a very serious problem.
I’m a compulsive over-player. There, I admitted it.
Basically, I’ll download a few really good songs and then play the living sh*t outta them for like 4 days straight. The first couple of days I absolutely destroy my workouts because of the energy the songs provide. By about day 5, I’ve listened to the ‘new’ songs so many times throughout non-workout time, that they totally lose their effect. By day 10 I can’t even hardly listen to the songs anymore.
This is so frustrating. There’s nothing worse than entering a workout knowing that nothing on your playlist is going to light a spark under your booty. Good workout songs (that I haven’t yet over-played) are probably the single most important ’supplement’ you could possibly use, assuming you’re at least a music liker.
As you can probably tell, my favorite types of music are rap, hip-hop and pop. Most of my friends and fam don’t quite get it…after all, you don’t see too many pharmacists head bobbing to 50 Cent on their drive in to Walgreens (thank God I don’t do the retail pharmacy thing anymore). Like I said, the stuff moves me. Don’t judge.
Anyways, I need your help finding some good workout songs to replace the thousands of songs I’ve played to death. Almost none of my entire iTunes library is capable of getting me pumped up for my workouts anymore…and because of my over-playing syndrome, even the newer songs that come out don’t last very long.
This is where YOU come into play. Please, I’m begging…hook me up with some good workout songs that you listen to.
Brad’s Current Workout Mix, Part 2:
As you can see from the images I uploaded of my current workout playlist, I’m not opposed to mixing it up a little bit (Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey…yep I went there, lol). There’s occasionally songs from other genres that ‘do it’ for me, so feel free to list any workout music that helps get you pumped up.
—> What’s on your current workout mix?
—> What are some workout song staples that I may have missed over the years?
I’d really appreciate any suggestions you could leave in the comments sections below…and I’m sure this would be helpful to all of my TopFatLossTrainer readers, who’re looking to BEAT UP their workouts.
Let’s get funky.
Your Coach,
Brad Campbell
Posted by Brad Campbell | in Workout Music | 69 Comments
Michael Jackson songs are good, especially the club mixes
blood on the dance floor
smooth criminal
this time around (ft BIG)
give in to me
jam
the way you make me feel
i bet this time around ft BIG is da bomb…i’m going to look for remixes of all of these. great ideas…thx
-b
I actually picked up some good ones from your list hah! Get some DMX – he really gets me amped up to workout, I’ll think of some others and get back to you.
Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z
Can’t Stop Me – Jadakiss
Up Up and Away – Kid Cudi
Switchin Lanes – Kid Cudi
Kids – Chiddy Bang
Black Rob – Whoa
Long Story Short – Black Rob
Maybe some Girl Talk
Rock Star – Chamillionaire feat. Lil Wayne
That’s All I got for now.
Hey Alex – love all of these, need to download two of them that i haven’t heard yet. thx for the advice.
-b
Randoms I like:
Wake Up – Rage Against the Machine
Human’s Being – Van Halen
Jay Z – Big Pimpin’
Eminem – Jimmy Crack Corn
Que Tu Sabes D’eso – Pitbull (collaboration with Little Joe and some other people)
Herman – Beats International
Rio – Duran Duran
Hole – Nine Inch Nails
Hi Brad – here are some great workout songs I use to fuel myself during workouts:
Ciarra- 1,2, Step
Baby Bash- Who wit me?
Eminem- Lose Yourself
Black Eyed Peas- Pump It (almost any BEP song, this is a good new one)
Destiny’s Child- Jumpin, Jumpin
Jay-Z- Dirt off your Shoulder
Kanye West- New Workout Plan
Pittbull – Oye MI Canto
-Terry
Hey Terry – BEP rocks when it comes to workout songs…kanye and pitbull also good choices…i’m going to grab who wit me right now. thx
It Takes 2 – DJ Easy Rock?
Get Low – Lil John
Walk It Out – DJ UNK
these are 3 of my all-time faves!
hope this helps you ( :
a walk it out out…haha, classic. thanks Bethany…
-b
Yo Brad, we have pretty much the same taste in music, I download all the new rap and hip-hop (some rock) from itunes, so my workout playlist looks a lot like yours. I’ll email you when I get home and take a look at my library. Great post, I’m hoping to get some new ideas for myself from peoples comments!
BOB.
what’s up bob – thanks for the email man. very good list of workout songs. you rock.
-b
Animal I have become – Three Days Grace
Stronger – Kanye West
Rockstar – Chamillionaire ft. Lil Wayne
Above and Below – The Bravery (my warm up song)
Someday – Flipsyde
I Don’t Care – Apocalyptica Feat. Adam Gontier (Pace setter for runs)
Can’t Repeat – Offspring
Got the Life – Korn
Like You – Daddy Yankee Ft DJ Nigma
Requiem for a Dream (Orchestral Version) – Clint Mansell
(the perfect cool down, 6:35 min)
Bad Romance – Lady Gaga
Time Won’t Let Me Go – The Bravery
La Camisa Negra – Juanes (Great starter Spanish tune if you’re not familiar with the genre)
Every Time We Touch – Cascada (I’ve found I really like techno for burpees!)
Psychosocial – Slipknot
Push It – Static X (A good staple for any workout! Great at getting that angry push for that last rep)
In Da Club – 50 cent (Oldie but goodie!)
Sorry for the long list, I hope to steal some ideas from other peeps on the board. Keep up the great work! My wife and I l love the site!
Marc – awesome songs here – In Da Club was THE workout song for me for like 2 years straight. I’ll add it back to the playlist and see if it’s still effective. Excited to get some of these that aren’t on my list yet. Glad you enjoy the site. Stop back often.
-b
This week I am listening to : Armin_van_Buuren_presents_-_A_State_of_Trance_Episode_437_(Yearmix_2009). It’s a very uplifting mix.
Thanks for all the tips posted here !
All the best !
Octavian
Octavian – love me some uplifting mixes…going to get this for sure. thanks for commenting.
-b
probably not a popular choice but i am enjoying relistening to bonnie tyler’s ‘ total eclipse of the heart’ and ‘ i need a hero’. something a bit 80s and a bit cheesy but it has a good tempo and her voice can cut you in two
i’m not scared to say i dig total eclipse of the heart…i think there’s a techno mix of that i have – it’s killer for cardio. some of the 80’s stuff is excellent workout music…and that’s coming from a guy who loves rap
Maybe memories- the used
Death of seasons- AFI
and im going to need you to take miley cyrus off that 2nd playlist haha
Alex – i knew someone was going to call me on Miley…haha, that’s hilarious. (umm, how’d that get on there??) someone musta broke into my house, downloaded it and put in on my playlist….lol
How is there nothing from any Rocky Soundtrack? Rocky IV is probably the best (some stunning 80s rock to go with Bruce).
Also, why is there no Stallone profile? Have you seen the guy in Rocky III/IV? Favourite quote from Stallone: “I’m not a genetically superior person. I built my body.” Off Topic, oops. But, anyway, Rocky IV.
YO ROCKY – love to box to the Rocky soundtracks. I need to do a post about Sly, that sly dog. Dude is ripped and looks like he’s 30 years old.
-b
I listen to, uh,
My Humps – BEP (Thinking of getting some ‘lovely lady lumps’ of my own, of course)
Buttons – PCD
Candyman – Christina Aguilera (Not sure why, though)
Bad To The Bone – George Thorogood
etc.
(:
I love how you put “explicit” next to some songs!
haha, that was my itunes that put the explicit warnings…funny how many of them i have
Hey Brad,
nothin’ gets the blood juicing quite like a little AC DC, in particular “Thunderstruck”. A quarter of the songs I listen to are AC DC songs. I also like a little Dario G, but only because it used to play when I was in Mexico, and listening to it takes me back there…lounging by the pool, sipping a few adult beverages.
Yo Alex – I have lots of those songs that take me back to an event or a specific time..that’s what’s so cool bout music. Thanks for the tips. Hope you’re killin’ it….BTW, I have yet to play with my calculator…it’s pathetic how much is on my to-do list.
-b
Knights of Cydonia – Muse
F*ck the Police – !Trash Yourself
Chillin (Top Billin UK Mix) – Wale ft Lady Gaga
Uprising – Muse
Eye of the Tiger (Oh Shit! and Mynx Remake)
The Dope Show – Marilyn Manson
Feel Good Inc – The Gorrilaz
D.A.N.C.E (MSTRKRFT remix)
Diamonds and Guns – Transplants
hey man – forgot all bout the Gorillaz…awesome songs here. Thanks again.
Hey Brad,
I’m more on the rock tip, but these are all good pump up songs.
Just Like You Imagined-Nine Inch Nails (This is the song from the “300″ preview)
Goin’ Out West-Tom Waits
Fuel-Metallica
50 in the clip-Dead Prez
Joker and the Thief-Wolfmother
Shipping up to Boston-Dropkick Murphys
Icky Thump-White Stripes
Wake Up-Arcade Fire
yo Chris – thx buddy, will get all of these…anything that releases some adrenaline is good by me.
-b
Hey Brad!
I have two lists: one geared for weight/strength training and one for dance/cardio. But, I’m always looking for new tunes to add & swap, so I’ll check out everyone else’s lists! Thanks–great idea ; )
Cardio:
For Your Entertainment – Adam Lambert
Right Round – Flo Rida
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Days Go By (Radio Edit) – Dirty Vegas
I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry
Mr. Brightside & Somebody Told Me – The Killers
Bad Romance/Poker Face/Just Dance – Lady Gaga
4 Minutes – Madonna & Justin Timberlake
Uprising – Muse
Say it Right – Nelly Furtado
So What – Pink (great for shadow boxing)
Don’t Stop the Music – Rihanna
Here are some PUMP Indian dance tunes I like:
Nagada Nagada – Javed Ali
Mauja Hi Mauja – Mika Singh
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom – KK, Mahalaxmi
Beware of the Boys & Panjaban – Panjabi MC
Snake Charmer – Panjabi MC (Great for belly dancing – not that you’ll need that Brad!)
For Weight/Strength Training (I like rock & LOTS of guitars!):
Crawl & Sex on Fire – Kings of Leon
Man in the Box – Alice in Chains
Bar-Ba-Sol – David Cook
Where the River Flows & Gel – Collective Soul
Enter Sandman – Metallica
Sex Type Thing – Stone Temple Pilots
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
Rock on!
Denise
Hey Denise – I can tell you really are passionate bout music, huh? These are some great suggestions. I love that Days Go By song and some of the end of your list, I’ve never heard of so bring it on
Thanks for the awesome list…
-b
ps – i saw you’re into wine…are you following gary vanyerchuk? that guy is awesome.
Brad–
I love music. Getting ready to launch a music blog soon. I’ll let you know when it’s live.
I love Gary V. I am following him–he’s awesome. Have you read Crush It? He’s so passionate about what he does–it’s inspiring.
See ya! D.
Cool, I’d definitely like to check that out. He’s most certainly da man. Next time I get to Barnes & Noble, I’m buying that book. His keynotes are so inspiring to listen to…you rarely see anyone that passionate…and I appreciate the fact that he tells the truth – it’s all about hard work and “working your face off.” hahah
-b
Good going so far guys and gals…keep em coming. My iTunes bill is going to be astronomical this week
Here’s some more ppl left on my Facebook page:
Two Weeks- All That Remains
Not normally a Buckcherry fan, but “So Far” is great for cardio
Has how low by Luda hit the stream in the big AZ yet?! Or am I way behind on downloading songs…
I like it and it even can encourage you to go low low low when you do your push ups!! 
:) always thinking!
Check out Girl Talk, its hip hop, rap, and techno all mixed together, it will get you pumped on anything. And it mixes up so much its hard to get sick of it.
Have you heard of Mac Dre? One of the best rappers ever IMO and has endless albums check em out
Keep the suggestions coming…can’t wait to get some refreshing new tunes…there’s nothing better for ramping up your workouts.
-b
Hahahah, and I thought this was gonna be about something REALLY important! lol.
Nice variety of music here, I am sure EVERYONE loves working out to Bad romance at the moment.
One song you have to try working out to Brad
Big Tymers – Still Fly
You’ll love it
Tom – you liked that sneaky email, huh? Still Fly and Til I Collapse are excellent workouts songs that I need to find in my playlist…thx man
On a more sensible note my favourite song EVER to workout to has got to be Eminem – Til I Collapse.
Everyone has to workout to this, at least once. If you havent heard it go try working out to it now
Great suggestions! Here are a few of mine…
It’s Goin’ Down ~ The X-Ecutioners
Walk ~ Pantera
Twisted Transistor ~ Korn
Boom ~ P.O.D.
Give It All ~ Rise Against
Survive ~ Rise Against
Saw Red ~ Sublime & Gwen Stefani (slow in the beginning, but AWESOME to get a quick jump)
Remember the Name ~ Fort Minor (great warm up song)
Starstrukk ~ 3Oh3 (my hometown homies)
5 AM ~ SALM featuring K. Flay
Coastin ~ Zion I and K. Flay (JUST GOOD MUSIC)!
Matisyahu ~ King Without a Crown (AWESOME cool down) If you are not familiar with this guy, you gotta look him up on youtube. He is an Orthodox Jew…but his sound is so Inspirational. Reggae Rock sound.
I totally forgot about Ole by Bouncing Souls! We play this song at 7AM on soccer game days for my 2 girls! This is the song that gets the WHOLE family pumped! We play it in the car on the way too…so cute to see my little 6 yo girl singing it at the top of her lungs. Psycs out the other team too when we sing the chorus in huddle!
I can just picture your soccer girls getting their “psych on.” Excited bout that reggae rock sound…love that kind of music. Thanks for all the input.
I don’t know how much you like heavy rock, but Fear Factory’s album Demanufacture really gets me going, and Territory, Look Away, and Roots by Sepultura.
Sarah – I’ll get all of these…anything that gets you going is worth a shot. Hope the married life is treating you good
Wow– A lot of posts! Here’s a few:
Newer:
Clutch: Electric Worry
The Kills: M.E.X.I.C.O. CU.
Jet: KIA, Cold Hard Bithc
Alien Vampires: (anything) Rave to the Grave, Bloodbath
Dandy Warhols: Last of the Outlaw Truckers
Subtle: The Mercury Craze
Spinnerette: Ghetto Love, Valium Knights
Kid Acne: 2,3, Break it
Doom: Doomsday, Gazzillion Ear
Public Enemy: Harder than you think
Tura Satana: Dry, Luna, Unclean
Ting Tings: That’s not my name
Chris Brown: I can transform ya
Electric 6: Gaybar, Danger high Voltage
Olt Skewl:
NWA: Str8 outta Compton
2 Live Crew: When we get them Ho’s
OutKast: Player’s Ball
Public Enemy: Can’t Do Nuttin’ for ya man, Give it up, Fight the Power
Ice Cube: Predator, Make it Rough, It was a Good day
scott- what can i say, u da man – your “olt skewl” jams are classic – Player’s Ball…I thought I was the only one who was a big outkast fan when they first got started. awesome stuff man.
-b
Music makes a huge difference to me when I workout… I really really like hard dance music, like what you would hear at the club. I try to find DJ mixes to download online. Also I type “workout”, “cardio”, or “dance” in the iTunes search, listen to what comes up and buy what sounds good. I overplay my music a lot as well so I sometimes subscribe to free Podcasts so I won’t have to keep purchasing music.
3OH!3 and LMFAO also have good upbeat songs. My last couple of downloads were Tik Tok & Blah Blah Blah by Ke$ha.
hey Jessica – thx for the tip…i’ll check that out in itunes. I like the club mixes too…have a good day
-b
If I have to work at not sing out loud in the gym – thats my song. Try My Chemical Romance, Black Parade – almost all good. LBisquit – Gotta have Faith, Drowning Pool – bodies hit the floor, old pearl jam, black hole sun, 9 inch nails – fuck you like an animal,sexy back
oh, i forgot all about limp biskit…also, NIN…good stuff…thx!
I have a few songs that I really like…especially while doing cardio…Bongo Song by Safri Duo**Awesome!, Call On Me by Eric Prydz, Crazy Train (Techno Remix) by Ozzy Osborne & Madonna ** Awesome!, In My Arms by Plumb-Bimbo Jones Extended Mix), Love Bites-QED, Stranger In My House by Tamia, Cry For You Remix by September,Rock Your Body by Ferry Corsten (Extended Mix).
These are just a few…hopefully you will find a couple you will like =)
Awesome Luisa, I’ve never heard of most of these, so I’m excited to get them downloaded. Appreciate the suggestions.
-b
Prom Queen -Lil Wayne
Transform ya – Chris Brown
Wind it Up – Gwen Stefani
Yummy- Gwen Stefani
Fever- Kylie Minogue
Poker face – Lady gaga
Bad Romance – Lady gaga
When I grow up – The Pussycat dolls
Disturbia- Rhianna
Fire bomb – Rhianna
Rockstar 101 – Rhianna
Stronger, faster…. – Kanye West
Tick tok -Ke$ha
Tennille – great stuff, thanks for the suggestions.
-b
Anyhting by Shadows Fall, 5 finger death punch, and pantera will have your blood pumpin like never before and make you wanna bust some heads in
Sweet, I want some of that. Appreciate the shout.
-b
more specifically to my earlier post
Dying Breed – 5 Finger Death Punch
Hard To See – 5 Finger Death Punch
Bulletproof – 5 Finger Death Punch
No one gets left behind – 5 Finger Death Punch
burn it down – 5 Finger Death Punch
falling in hate – 5 Finger Death Punch
my own hell – 5 Finger Death Punch
walk away – 5 Finger Death Punch
Bad Company – 5 Finger Death Punch
War is the answer – 5 Finger Death Punch
The way of the fist – 5 Finger Death Punch
a place to die – 5 Finger Death Punch
the devils own – 5 Finger Death Punch
White knuckles – 5 Finger Death Punch
death before dishonor – 5 Finger Death Punch
hate me – 5 Finger Death Punch
a fire in babylon – Shadows Fall
in effigy – Shadows Fall
My demise – Shadows Fall
still i rise – Shadows Fall
war – Shadows Fall
King of nothing – Shadows Fall
Embrace annihilation – Shadows Fall
A public execution – Shadows Fall
dead and gone – Shadows Fall
thoughts without words – Shadows Fall
the power of 1 and I – Shadows Fall
I know this is a really long list but I can list great workout songs all day
Yo Matt – nice list…am pumped to have so many new songs in different genres than I usually go for. Lots of downloads to get through this weekend….damn, my workouts are going to be insane next week. thank you for taking the time to post all of these.
-b
hey brad here’s a couple:
christina aguilera – ain’t no ther man
all american rejects-dirty little secret
travis-sing
alsan-crazy world
arctic monkeys-dancing shoes
fake tales of san francisco
brianstorm
Bell X1-rocky took a lover
Beyoncé-crazy in love
sorry man I have to go ,I’ll try to send you a few more later.
And just another as a bonus and a token of my gratitude,you seem to be a guy that’s deadly serious about his health and body I urge you to check out this website; http://www.thehealingcodes.com this is truly mindblwing stuff!!!
on with the fun Brad,
Aymeric
Sweetness, I’m on these songs like white on rice. Thx for the site, I’ll check it out. Hope your weekend is going great.
-b
idk how anybody missed this but “Till i collapse”, by Eminem this song always gets me going and gives me a lil extra for that las rep haha also “Forever” from Drake with Kanye west, Lil Wayne and Eminem is another one im feeling right now..
funny, “till i collapse” was by far my favorite workout song for about a year when it first came out. “Forever” and the new one by lil wayne & em is on my iPod right now, great songs.
-b
howdie howdie howdie
heres is a few of my bum booster songs
boa-eat you up
-did it for love
***********shakira – give it up to me
– la totura
madonna- revolver
nas-i can (hahah love the message in this one)
paradisco girls- parton tiquila (memories)
lady gaga- fashion
– love games
louis armstrong-zat you santa clause
all of elvis
utada hikaru – on and on
– automatic II
******Rise Up – Yves Larock – My dream is to fly
akon-sexy bitxh
ave cruz-ceu
this one is kool maybe it can make some people calm yet energized
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21dfilSok-A
bob marley – jammin
actualy all bob marley
septtember-cry for you
myah marie-candy form a stranger
lolo-take my hand
robert miles-children
motorcycle-as the rush comes
**********taras feat carlo coppola-i will love again
tiesto-fee it in my bones
*********** chico mann-dilo como ya
britney – get back
r kelly – burn it up
kiley – red blodded women
trance- dj melodie- beautiful day
the xx-basic space
snap-rhythem is a dance (any 80s 90s)
eurthmix-sweet dreams
one ton-super sex world
juliet-avalon
lindsay lohan- beautiful life
eric clapton-leyla
mika-relax
j lo waiting for tonight
lets get loud
*******addictiv-tonight
sorry for any spelling mistakes
these songs have great beats haha thats what makes me like them they put me in the groove ::P
haha
i dono if this is for other people or you but i hope it helps
and thanks for the tips things haha are finally becommin gunderstandable haha thanks a million
toddles
Sheena – wow, thx for the awesome list. you’ve got some good ones on here. they were for me, but i thought everyone could benefit from viewing the list. going to download some of these right now. thx again
-b
[...] ‘em”). Speaking of great music, THANKS again to everyone who listed their favorite workout songs the other [...]
enjoy everyone
listen to a lot of punk and ska.
that stuff definitely gets you moving.
Rancid – Time Bomb
Black Flag – Rise Above
Billy Talent – Devil in a Midnight Mass
Big D and the Kids Table – My Girlfriend’s on Drugs
Reel Big Fish – Beer
The Bronx – History’s Stranglers
The Clash – I Fought the Law
awesome Luci, thx for the suggestions…i’ll give these a shot.
-b
I used to listen to harder stuff, especially angry rock music, but ironically I found the music that keeps me going during a workout, especially cardio (which I hate!) is LEONA LEWIS. Can you believe that? She does power ballads and only a few up-tempo songs, which aren’t even that fast. I would have never thought a slow love song or inspirational song would get me through a hard workout, but it does! If only people at the gym knew….
haha, I can almost picture myself doing a lil cardio to leona lewis. sometimes it’s the strangest songs that “do it” for you when it comes to motivating you to push through a tough workout. really, anything that distracts you mind somewhat from the pain you’re going through will be effective. i had some mariah carey and miley cyrus on my iPod playlist, so i’m not going to judge. maybe i’ll try listening to some “LL”
just don’t turn up your music too loud so that someone next to you could hear how “soft” you are, lol
-b