I read a great article in National Geographic the other night on my couch (hmmm fitting I guess)… It was a story about workout music and the studies of sport psychologist Costas Karageorghis.
Basically he says first, what we all know… music during a workout is good. Especially those 120-140 BPM songs (beats-per-minute). A song in that sweet spot is what so much popular top 40 music sits at (great for dancing right… cardio).
But there is so much other insight.
Lyrics help. A song with a message that is uplifting will propel you. (think Kanye West’s “Stronger”)
The beat of a song can make you a more efficient runner. You are able to use music as a metronome to lock in your stride. (think some dubstep)
Silence can work for you. It is helpful during times when there is no music, to imagine music!
You can listen to music when you’re sitting on the couch thinking of working out… you start with a slower BPM and work up as your workout improves. But a great song that inspires you will get you excited to hit that treadmill. (Think the Rocky Theme)
Women and Men use workout music differently (because women are from Venus and Men are from Mars.) Males tend to be more rock & roll and women tend toward pop. Men pick music based on the sub-culture and the image they want to project. Women tend to pick music based on emotions.
For a high intensity work out, you’ll want to ramp up the BPMs… 168 plus. What kind of song sits up there? Try The White Stripe’s 193 BPM ripper… “Rag and Bone.” SWA? really? … really.
Karageorghis was on NPR Radio in the USA to talk about this and he dives into the science.
NPR: Maximizing your workout with the right tunes
My favourite part is when they “go the phones” and some hipster is like… “I jam out all these post-punk bands you’ve never heard of.”
and the doctor is like… yeah those are not good work out songs.
Go with yourself.
The Morning After 
My #1 workout /running song is Kanye West/ Nicki Minaj / Jay Z/ Bon Iver – Monster.
I’m a mother fucking monster. It works.
Plus, Bon Iver … gangster. Too good.
Hah! I was listening to that program yesterday! I like rocking the talk radio at work.
They guy who called in was talking about Archers of Loaf, it wouldn’t be my choice for working out, but they are a great band.
In that guy’s defense, there IS a guy jogging in the beginning of the music video.
Personally, I like podcasts like Democracy Now! for running since there’s no beat, and most of my playlists are all weird and not conducive to keeping a steady pace, except for Cut Copy, that’s good for a work-out.
what’s good too is using the time running to also be learning! I often listen to (or used to at least) listen to my science podcast while walking to work. Because knowledge is power.
I listen to a hell of a lot of podcasts on my scooter riding to and from work.
Have you listened to Radiolab? it’s a really great science podcast.
This American Life and Comedy Death Ray/Comedy Bang Bang are brilliant as well.