There really is nothing better to get you motivated for a workout than high-intensity pump-up music. You know, that kind of music that makes even the most tired people start to bob their head, and maybe even give them that extra confidence boost at any time of the day?
Plug in your headphones or turn up your speakers because some of these latest tunes and remixes are sure to transform the intensity and mood of your workout.
Carl Foster, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, Exercise and Heath Program, says, “Basically you get with the beat of the music… You want to step at the rate the music is playing or you want to pedal a cycle at the rate of the dominant beat of the music.” According to an article on the ACE Fitness website, Foster has been studying entrainment, or synchronization, in his studies with music and exercise intensity for the past decade.
With that said, download these songs to keep you moving to the beat (or follow the playlist on Spotify!)
1. Alive (Zedd Remix) by Empire of the Sun
2. We Can’t Stop by Miley Cyrus
3. New Slaves by Kanye West
4. Tom Ford by Jay Z
5. Doses and Mimosas by Cherub
6. Not Your Boyfriend by 2AM Club
7. Summertime Sadness (Ibiza Annual 2013 Edit) [Cedric Gervais Remix] by Lana Del Rey
8. Let’s Go (feat. Ne-Yo) by Calvin Harris
9. 212 (feat. Lazy Jay) by Azealia Banks
10. The Love Club by Lorde
11. Slow Down by Selena Gomez
12. Bass Down Low by Dev
13. Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell) by Daft Punk
14. Mr. Saxobeat by Alexandra Stan
15. Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor) by Pitbull
Switching up the music you work out to every so often will keep these songs motivating you, allowing you to workout to your full potential each time. Music is a natural motivator for us and helps to keep us distracted from how hard we are working. Once we lack motivation from our current playlist, time to move on to the next.
Tip: Use different playlists for different workouts. This will prevent you from getting bored, or the playlist getting too repetitive.
Another great resource for getting a high-intensity cardio playlist is searching key words on Pandora—you’re sure to find something to fit your ideal workout routine!
