23 Workout Playlist Songs to Make You Sweat

Get your sweat on with these 23 songs recommended by our staff and community.
Image Credit: yacobchuk/iStock/GettyImages

You've already done the hard part and made the decision to work out, and you're ready to go! But some days you just need a little extra motivation to get out the door and to the gym. Music is a great motivator. Just hearing your favorite up-beat song can get your feet moving and get you mentally ready to dominate your workout.

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If you find your current playlist is getting a bit dated and losing it's motivating effect, check out this playlist filled with song recommendations from our editors, community members and Facebook fans that will have you moving and sweating all the way through your routine. It's so good, you might just want to turn it into your new party mix.

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1. “Sail” by AWOLNation

"It's raw, primal and has a certain urgency and uplifting," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, BeachGurlz.

Buy it: Find "Sail" on iTunes.

2. “Off the Wall” by Michael Jackson

"Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall' always gets me moving and makes me want to dance at the same time. Gotta leave that 9 to 5 up on the shelf when I work out!" says former LIVESTRONG.com managing editor, Valaer Murray Goldsworthy.

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Buy it: Find "Off the Wall" on iTunes.

3. “Good Feeling” by Flo Rida

"My favorite running song when I need a boost is Flo Rida 'Good Feeling'" writes LIVESTRONG.com Facebook fan, Amy Young.

Buy it: Find "Good Feeling" on iTunes.

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4. “Can't Hold Us” by Macklemore

"I think I'm a little strange, but I love watching music videos. So when I hear a song that I've seen the video to, I usually mimic the artist. So, on my list is definitely Macklemore, 'Can't Hold Us.' Macklemore is super energetic, so I can't help but do a little dance while I work out and pretend to rap," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, heidi1604.

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Buy it: Find "Can't Hold Us" on iTunes.

5. “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors

"If I have to pick one, it has to be 'Best Day of My Life' by American Authors. Obviously, not every day can be 'best,' but something about that song always gives me hope that today might just be THE BEST!" says former LIVESTRONG.com community manager, Ann Rusnak.

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Buy it: Find "Best Day of My Life" on iTunes.

6. “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga

"I recommend Lady Gaga — 'Edge of Glory' — put it toward the end of your playlist to get a great finish!" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, hanpaoli.

Buy it: Find "Edge of Glory"on iTunes.

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7. “Love is a Battlefield” by Pat Benatar

"I love how upbeat 80s pop is, and it is good to move to during a workout. My other favorites include: Devo's 'Whip It,' The Fixx's 'One Thing Leads to Another,' Madness' 'Our House,' Men Without Hats' 'The Safety Dance,' Big Country's 'In A Big Country' and A-Ha's 'Take On Me,'" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, sokoluv.

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Buy it: Find"Love is a Battlefield" on iTunes.

8. "Lose Yourself” by Eminem

"I love Eminem's 'Lose Yourself.' Not only do I find the beat and message super motivating, but it always reminds me of going to USC football games as an undergrad. And those football players work really hard!" says LIVESTRONG.com senior fitness editor, Rachel Grice.

Buy it: Find "Lose Yourself" on iTunes.

9. “Wrong Side of Heaven” by Five Finger Death Punch

"I love anything by Five Finger Death Punch — killer guitars and especially killer drum work that, for me, is motivating. On elliptical/cardio, I find that rock doesn't work as well. I've tried listening to dance/pop like Swift's 'Shake It Off,' but I start to feel all weird and stuff... like Jennifer Beals in Flashdance, so I go back to rock," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, aurelios1201.

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Buy it: Find "Wrong Side of Heaven" on iTunes.

10. “Everybody Up” by The Ghastly Ones

"If this song doesn't get you moving, you must be dead," writes LIVESTRONG.com Facebook fan, Matt Dante.

Buy it: Find "Everybody Up" on their website.

11. “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift

"It might sound weird, but I love running to Taylor Swift's 'Bank Space.; The way it starts makes me want to push it!" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, nehatewari.

Buy it: Find "Blank Space" on iTunes.

12. “Go” by The Chemical Brothers

"Right now I'm listening to The Chemical Brothers song 'Go,'" says former LIVESTRONG.com social media manager, Debbie Day.

Buy it: Find "Go" on iTunes.

13. “It's Not Right, But it's Okay” by Whitney Houston

"I have not updated my running iPod in about three years! The playlist is largely from my college days, but [they] always fire me up when they come on. There must be something to them if they still do that after so many years smile I suspect it has something to do with the BPM and making me pick up the pace!" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, anaghernandez.

Buy it: Find "It's Not Right, But it's Okay" on iTunes.

14. “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones

"My hubby made my playlist for my last marathon and put 'I Wanna Be Sedated' on there. It cracked me up so hard that I definitely got the spring back in my step," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, ginaviolinist.

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Buy it: Find "I Wanna Be Sedated"on iTunes.

15. “Jump Around” by House of Pain

"One of my all-time favorites is 'Jump Around' by House of Pain. [It] sets a great pace," Day says.

Buy it: Find "Jump Around" on iTunes.

16. “That Don't Impress Me Much” by Shania Twain

"For walking, I love Shania Twain's greatest hits album, because every song has a great fast walking tempo. Long enough for up to an hour walk!" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, cmsmith8.

Buy it: Find "That Don't Impress Me Much" on iTunes.

17. “Freedom! '90” by George Michael

"George Michael's 'Freedom' is totally underrated. Try not to do your best Cindy Crawford impression while running to the magical beat!" says Leaf Group (LIVESTRONG.com's parent company) director of product, Dena Karsenty.

Buy it: Find "Freedom! '90" on iTunes.

18. “Hall of Fame” by The Script

"Try 'Hall of Fame' by The Script. It really motivate me! Also try superheroes (also from The Script)," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, momo1222.

Buy it: Find "Hall of Fame" on iTunes.

19. “Sugar, We're Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy

"I'm a big fan of Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco during cardio intervals," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, cgloves14.

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Buy it: Find "Sugar, We're Goin Down" on iTunes.

20. “Lights” by Ellie Goulding (Bassnectar Remix)

"I love running to 'Hit 'em Up' by Tupac, 'Crystalised' by the XX, 'All of Me' by Tanlines, 'Young Forever' by Jay Z (with great samples of Alphaville's 80s hit 'Forever Young' in it). Also, of course Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' and the Bassnectar remix of Ellie Goulding's song 'Lights,'" says former LIVESTRONG.com editor in hhief, Jess Barron.

Buy it: Find "Lights" on iTunes.

21. “Don't Stop Me Now” by Queen

"It's an oldie but great to run to!" writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, hanpaoli.

Buy it: Find "Don't Stop Me Now" on iTunes.

22. “GO!” by Santigold

"I love my workout playlist!" It's really long and includes a lot of Britney Spears (which should surprise absolutely no one), but some of my faves are: Go by Santigold (this is like my favorite workout song ever), i by Kendrick Lamar, Psycho by Rozzi Crane, Break a Sweat by Becky G (I have no shame), Bite Down by Bastille/Haim, WTF by Missy Elliot and Flesh Without Blood by Grimes," writes LIVESTRONG.com Facebook fan, Jennifer Trujillo.

Buy it: Find "GO!" on iTunes.

23. “Man Like That” by Gin Wigmore

"Gin Wigmore! Just discovered her. Awesome voice," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, Engemoen.

Buy it: Find "Man Like That" on iTunes.

Build Your Own Workout Playlist

None of those songs doing it for you? Make your own workout playlist with your favorite rockin' tunes. Here are a few services our community really love.

Spotify

"Spotify has that running section now. It detects you steps per minute and then plays a list based on that. And you can choose from genres. It's pretty sweet. Works under free terms too just have to put up with the commercials," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, rag0r.

Rock My Run

"There is an app: Rock My Run. That has good workout playlists," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, Helpimlosingit.

jog.fm

"I get songs from jog.fm They even categorize them by BPM. I then just compile the songs into my own list. Keeps me motivated knowing I just have to stay with the beat," writes LIVESTRONG.com community member, cg145.

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