print
Page 1 of 8
I started fitness boot camp this week—a group of otherwise ordinary people who gather at the local high-school football field for things like jumping jacks, sit-ups, squats, lunges and some evil invention called “burpees.” And now I can hardly raise my glass of beer or plop down on the couch in front of the TV without feeling the pain in long-unused muscles.
Sadly, there’s no music during our workouts, but I bet there is during yours. And I bet it’s time for you to update that ol’ workout playlist. “Best” Workout Songs of course, is a matter of taste, but the following songs are guaranteed to get your body moving (even though they don’t include The Suckers’ wonderful, non-exercise-related song by that name.) And if you don’t exercise, just think of all this great music as reason to get up offa that thing.
(Thanks to all my friends on Facebook and Twitter and the Paste staff and interns for the many suggestions. If you’ve got a great workout song not on this list, please add it to the comments below.)
80. “Scatmambo” by Scatman John
Ethiopian Olympic long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie requested this song during a 2,000-meter race in 1998. He set the world indoor record, proving that it’s not the quality of the song that matters in sports—it’s the 135 beats-per-minute. That said, these other 79 are pleasing to the ear.
79. “Typical” by Mutemath
Recommended by U.S.A. Olympic volleyball player Reid Priddy in Paste’s 2008 feature on Olympic training music.
78. “Let the Day Begin” by The Call
Here’s to the rowers in the morning lake; here’s to the cyclists in the streets…
77. “New Noise” by Refused
The shape of punk to come includes a flatter belly.
76. “Go Faster” by The Black Crowes
Ain’t no workout like dirty, Southern workout.
75. “They” by Jem
Nothing like a little paranoia to keep you going.
74. “Take Me Out” by Franz Ferdinand
Franz-ercise!
73. “The Rockafella Skank” by Fatboy Slim
Norman Quentin Cook made a career of getting bodies moving. Plus his name is Fatboy Slim.
72. “Dancing Choose” by TV on the Radio
Frantic energy resolving in a lovely chorus.
71. “Agony” by The Muffs
Of course a song called agony is going to be perfect for my workout.
De La Soul Does 45-Minute Nike Song
Gnarls Barkley - Opposites Attract
David Byrne: Bicycle Diaries
Steroid doc Bigger, Faster, Stronger* hits theaters
32 Musicans Share Their Favorite Recipes
The Paste Beginner’s Guide to Vinyl Records
Six Reasons To Watch Eastbound & Down's…
The 50 Best Movies of 2011
The 50 Best Movies of the Decade…
The 20 Best Movies of 2011 (So…
Album Stream: Geographer - Myth
Live From CMJ: Santah
Album Stream: Plants and Animals - The…
Album Stream: Andrew Belle - The Daylight
I might have to substitute (What's So Funny) 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding for my Elvis Costello selection but a fun list to listen to this
Um. Anything by battles.
I'm not a fan of lists, but this one is pretty good. As an avid runner myself, and a constant music listener, I've often found myself running to these songs. Every time I thought I'd think of a song to recommend, I ended up finding it on the list ("Zero" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Make Light" - Passion Pit, "Paper Planes" - MIA, etc). However, I would add "Great Expectations" by the Gaslight Anthem (maybe I just missed it though).
Next you should make a list of the best albums to listen to while running. It can often be hard to find an album that can keep you working out for the entire duration. Though some songs you included come from workout album contenders - such as anything by the Hold Steady.
Let's Make Out - Does It Offend You Yeah? I usually leave this one for the halfway point of my run when I'm losing steam. This will get you back on track and remind you why you're doing this "workout" thing - to make out with that cute boy/girl on the treadmill next to you or the one that you just passed on your run!
great list! all my friends by LCD soundsystem is a staple for sure.
more suggestions...
1. deception - blackalicious
2. gold lion - yeah yeah yeas (those drums!)
3. heart it races - architecture in helsinki
4. and i was a boy friends school - hot chip (potentially my favorite of all workout songs... run baby run!)
5. black velveteen - lenny
6. please don't stop the music - rhianna
7. free your mind - en vogue (for when you start dragging your feet and you really need to feel fierce)
You left out three big ones:
"Sandstorm" by Darude. Most energetic song ever.
"Call On Me" by Eric Prydz. A classic workout song.
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. Fantastic tempo to run to.
Great list. Needs more electronic music though.
I would add...
"Sad, Sad City" or "Move with Your Lover" - Ghostland Observatory
Crush Mode Mixtape - The Glitch Mob
Shout Me Out (WIllie Isz Remix) - TV On the Radio
"Padding Ghost" or "Snookered" - Dan Deacon
1348 - Umphrey's McGee (not electronic, just a good song)
First of all, great list guys, enjoyed this one a lot.
I just happen to have a playlist for the sole purpose of working out (which I do 3 or 4 times each week by the way, hahaha! Ladies...Ladies? No Okay.)
But seriously, I find great, loud or fast, catchy music helps me push harder so here are some that really help me
1. Party Hard - Andrew WK
2. Push Push Lady Lightning - Bang Camaro
3. Angels of the Silences - Counting crows
4. I get it - chevelle
5. i believe in a thing called love - The darkness
6. Gotta reason - Hard-Fi
7. lust for life - Iggy
8. The Swish - The Hold Steady
9. You're the Best - Joe Esposito (If this doesn't magically turn you into a champion for 3 minutes nothing will)
10. Molly's chambers - Kings of Leon
11. Eddie's Gun - The Kooks
12. Touch me I'm sick - Mudhoney
13. Hysteria - Muse (anything by Muse is great for fitness but this bassline...there's nothing remotely close to that)
14. Back in Black - Ac/DC (Great for fat people trying to get back in shape)
15. BYOB - System of a Down (brilliant, changes in songHAPPEN LIKE THIS!!!)
16. Walking On a Dream - Empire of the Sun (You'll play this a lot)
17. The Ledge - Fleetwood Mac
18. Wet Hair - Japandroids (THANK YOU PASTE! awesome band)
19. Sleepyhead - Passion Pit
20. On Call - Kings of Leon
swear to god, i like to listen to "banana phone" by Raffi near the end of long runs. it makes me laugh and not think so much about how tired i am. makes it a lot easier to finish a run.
My favorite music that keeps me going at the gym is British rock bands Your Vegas and Officer Kicks. I also like U2, Daughtry, and The Gaslight Anthem alot. On a different track, sometimes I slip in "Flawless" by George Michael and Bootylicious LOL.
My fave is Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother
Great list. How about:
The Clash - Police on My Back
Sleigh Bells - Crown on the Ground
Sinnerman (remixed or from Thomas Crown Affair)
Jet - Rollover DJ
Arcade Fire - Keep the Car Running
Airborne Toxic Event - Gasoline
Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Diablo Rojo
If nothing else, edit the speaking part off "Rumpus" from Where the Wild Things Are and get ready to sprint through the forest.
Great List, but I would also include:
Nice Clean Shirt - Eastern Conference Champions
B.O.B. - Outkast
When Worlds Collide - Powerman 5000
You'll Find a Way (Remix)- Santogold
Whachadoin? - N.A.S.A.
What You Know - T.I.
Day 'N Night (Crookers Remix)- Kid Cudi
Blood On Our hands - D.F.A.1979
wow. your gay.
Best workout song ever: Basement Jaxx "Do Your Thing." Really keeps me going on the treadmill. Runner-up: Beastie Boys "Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)"
Any list that includes The Call is no list worth reading at all.
Thanks for putting it up early so I didn't wast my time on the other 77 entries!
Workout Routines
gm group
Bodysnatchers by Radiohead is an awesome gym song, never lets up.
Hey, A-Punk by Vampire Weekend is not bad.
WOW! That really are workout songs. I like em very much. Fanx for the share!:)
Silicone Dynamics is the leader in high quality
nice article
==============
workout routines
This playlist made me PR!
http://8tracks.com/captainbuff/i-m-so-mean-i-make-medicine-sick
I have so much overlap with this list but I really really like to add Breathe by Telepopmusik in the middle of my run when I'm in the zone. Helps me relax and breathe!