Top 10 Workout Songs
music, songs, working out, gym, fitness, health, workout songs, eye of the tiger, survivor, rocky, eminem, acdc, daft punk, metallica, queen, ll cool j, rage against the machine, avicii, kanye west, hard rock, rap, hip hop, dance, house, heavy metal, top,
These tunes will keep you entertained while you get fit. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 workout songs.
For this list, we’re limiting it to one song per artist, ‘cause a varied playlist makes the best workout soundtrack.
Though the Daft Punk-sampling “Stronger” may be more well-known, how can you go wrong with a song that has the words “workout plan” in the title?! With lyrics that not only tell you what exercises to do but how to do them and a music video showing off these moves, “Kanye’s workout plan” will make you “the envy of all your friends”!
Thanks to a sample of Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” progressive house elements and a catchy beat, this Avicii single hit the top 10 of many charts around the world. With its layers of sound and moderate tempo, the infectious “Levels” is bound to give you a “good feeling” and get you moving – just check out the music video for proof!
Though the rap and nu metal sounds of “Testify” could also work, we’ve chosen Rage Against the Machine’s first single from their eponymous debut for this list. Blending rap, funk and alternative metal, “Killing in the Name” introduced us to Rage’s sound with a blast of energy and distinctive guitar riffs. With its repetitive lyrics and an intense musical buildup, the band’s signature tune is sure to get you pumped.
He didn’t want to call it a comeback, but the title cut from LL’s fourth studio album did put LL on top of the Billboard rap charts and within the Hot 100’s top 20. As the rapper’s response to critics, “Mama Said Knock You Out” is a sample-heavy hip-hop track that proved LL Cool J was “gonna take this itty bitty world by storm.” Along with its accompanying boxing-inspired music video, the Grammy-winning tune’s beat will get you moving in no time.
While the hard rock power balladry of “We Are the Champions” will undoubtedly inspire many a workout, it’s the funky flavors of “Another One Bites the Dust” that makes our list. With an unmistakable bass line and a beat you can’t help but clap your hands to, this Queen single off The Game will make you want to crush those reps and keep pushing yourself further and further.
Thanks to its unforgettable riff and a more radio-friendly sound, The Black Album’s first single turned Metallica into a household name. But it’s the song’s layered guitars and aggressive buildup that gets us – and keeps us – in the mood for working out. With its crushing heavy metal grooves, “Enter Sandman” will surely make you want to kill it at the gym.
With Daft Punk’s electronically enhanced vocals, cymbals that keep the beat, and an Edwin Birdsong sample, this Discovery tune is one of the album’s most memorable tracks. But it’s the house tune’s simple lyrics that really make it effective and fitting for working out, because if you “work it, make, do it,” you’ll be “harder, better, faster, stronger.”
Though you might think you’re “on the highway to hell” when you’re in the middle of an intense workout, we think it’s this track off The Razor’s Edge that’ll make you feel there’s “no turning back” at the gym. With driving guitars and a hard rocking rhythm, “Thunderstruck” is also a staple at various sporting events. There’s just something about AC/DC and physical activity that goes hand-in-hand!
The epic “Till I Collapse” is a hard-hitting tune that makes you want to “get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter.” But it’s this track from “8 Mile” that continues to be one of the rapper’s most critically successful and highest charting singles. With its inspirational lyrics, thumping beat and Em’s incomparable flow, you can’t help feel like you can “do anything you set your mind to,” whether it’s at home, at work or at the gym!
“The Distance” by Cake
“Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
“Numb/Encore” by Jay-Z and Linkin Park
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
For its distinctive guitar riff and motivational lyrics, “Rocky III”’s theme song tops our list. Not only is the Survivor tune used in the film during a montage of Rocky Balboa’s multiple boxing victories, but it’s a chart-topping hard rocker that “rises up to the challenge of its rivals”. What more could you ask from the ultimate workout anthem?
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite song to work out to? For more entertaining top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
For this list, we’re limiting it to one song per artist, ‘cause a varied playlist makes the best workout soundtrack.
#10: “The New Workout Plan” by Kanye West
Though the Daft Punk-sampling “Stronger” may be more well-known, how can you go wrong with a song that has the words “workout plan” in the title?! With lyrics that not only tell you what exercises to do but how to do them and a music video showing off these moves, “Kanye’s workout plan” will make you “the envy of all your friends”!
#9: “Levels” by Avicii
Thanks to a sample of Etta James’ “Something’s Got a Hold on Me,” progressive house elements and a catchy beat, this Avicii single hit the top 10 of many charts around the world. With its layers of sound and moderate tempo, the infectious “Levels” is bound to give you a “good feeling” and get you moving – just check out the music video for proof!
#8: “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine
Though the rap and nu metal sounds of “Testify” could also work, we’ve chosen Rage Against the Machine’s first single from their eponymous debut for this list. Blending rap, funk and alternative metal, “Killing in the Name” introduced us to Rage’s sound with a blast of energy and distinctive guitar riffs. With its repetitive lyrics and an intense musical buildup, the band’s signature tune is sure to get you pumped.
#7: “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J
He didn’t want to call it a comeback, but the title cut from LL’s fourth studio album did put LL on top of the Billboard rap charts and within the Hot 100’s top 20. As the rapper’s response to critics, “Mama Said Knock You Out” is a sample-heavy hip-hop track that proved LL Cool J was “gonna take this itty bitty world by storm.” Along with its accompanying boxing-inspired music video, the Grammy-winning tune’s beat will get you moving in no time.
#6: “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen
While the hard rock power balladry of “We Are the Champions” will undoubtedly inspire many a workout, it’s the funky flavors of “Another One Bites the Dust” that makes our list. With an unmistakable bass line and a beat you can’t help but clap your hands to, this Queen single off The Game will make you want to crush those reps and keep pushing yourself further and further.
#5: “Enter Sandman” by Metallica
Thanks to its unforgettable riff and a more radio-friendly sound, The Black Album’s first single turned Metallica into a household name. But it’s the song’s layered guitars and aggressive buildup that gets us – and keeps us – in the mood for working out. With its crushing heavy metal grooves, “Enter Sandman” will surely make you want to kill it at the gym.
#4: “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” by Daft Punk
With Daft Punk’s electronically enhanced vocals, cymbals that keep the beat, and an Edwin Birdsong sample, this Discovery tune is one of the album’s most memorable tracks. But it’s the house tune’s simple lyrics that really make it effective and fitting for working out, because if you “work it, make, do it,” you’ll be “harder, better, faster, stronger.”
#3: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
Though you might think you’re “on the highway to hell” when you’re in the middle of an intense workout, we think it’s this track off The Razor’s Edge that’ll make you feel there’s “no turning back” at the gym. With driving guitars and a hard rocking rhythm, “Thunderstruck” is also a staple at various sporting events. There’s just something about AC/DC and physical activity that goes hand-in-hand!
#2: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
The epic “Till I Collapse” is a hard-hitting tune that makes you want to “get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter.” But it’s this track from “8 Mile” that continues to be one of the rapper’s most critically successful and highest charting singles. With its inspirational lyrics, thumping beat and Em’s incomparable flow, you can’t help feel like you can “do anything you set your mind to,” whether it’s at home, at work or at the gym!
Honorable Mentions
“The Distance” by Cake
“Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
“Numb/Encore” by Jay-Z and Linkin Park
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
#1: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
For its distinctive guitar riff and motivational lyrics, “Rocky III”’s theme song tops our list. Not only is the Survivor tune used in the film during a montage of Rocky Balboa’s multiple boxing victories, but it’s a chart-topping hard rocker that “rises up to the challenge of its rivals”. What more could you ask from the ultimate workout anthem?
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite song to work out to? For more entertaining top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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