A good workout song makes you want to get up and move, but beat alone doesn't make a great workout song; variation of the beat and tempo is key with each song and within each workout mix. Motivation is further heightened if a song brings you back to a great memory and evokes happiness as you work out.
How to Get Started
Soundtracks from favorite movies are a great place to start because you not only have the sound and lyrics of the music, but also a visual from the movie.
"Burning Down the House" by the Talking Heads, "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees, "You're the One that I Want," by Olivia Newton-John or "You Never Can Tell" by Chuck Berry are just a few of many examples of movies from soundtracks to help get a body moving.
Memory Lane
Taking a trip down memory lane is another excellent way to come up with songs for your workout mix. You may want to find workout songs that remind you of high school or being on a sports team. "Borderline" by Madonna, "Heart of Glass" by Blondie, "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder, "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC, "Heartbreaker" by Pan Benatar, "Gonna Make you Sweat" by C&C Music Factory, "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson,or "Come as You Are" by Nirvana can get you started if you went to high school in the 1980s or 1990s. If you are a bit younger, you can start with "Miss Independent" by Kelly Clarkson, "Oops I did it Again" by Britney Spears, "The Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani and Akon, "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce or "American Boy," by Estelle and Kanye.
Family Memories
You can base a workout mix on songs that remind you of your childhood, your family or a vacation. Maybe your dad is a Motown fan, so when you hear Al Green singing "Tired of Being Alone," The O'Jays' "Love Train" or Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell singing, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" you feel happy and inspired to work out. You can add "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones, "Ring My Bell" by Anita Ward, "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Celebration" by Kool &The Gang for a great mix of songs that will bring you back to childhood road trips and remind you of all the energy you had as a kid.
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