If you have gone to a fitness class, you have probably noticed that the music is carefully chosen to fit the exercise. And for good reason.
Studies have frequently shown that people listening to a song with more beats per minute (BPM), tend to exercise faster and longer than those who are listening to slower music or no music.
The takeaway here is that if you carefully choose your music and high BPM songs, it may increase your physical output.
The Science Behind Choosing Your Running Music
Beats per minute (BPM) indicates the number of beats a song has in one minute. Pretty self-explanatory, right?
Well, the simple measure has been found to have a significant impact on both the duration and output of athletes, depending on the BPM selected.
A study done at the University of Toronto confirmed what we all suspected, that the right workout music can cause an athlete to work out up to 70% longer.
Although scientists were not shocked to see the impact music had on exercise, they were surprised to see that the higher energy level typically lasted throughout the day.
Participants in studies wore monitors throughout the entire day (not just during the exercise) to take note of these changes that occurred.
When choosing your workout songs, you need to carefully reflect on what you are trying to achieve. For example, if you aredoing yoga, you are working on centering yourself and bringing peace to your mind, body, and spirit. People who practice yoga listen to sounds of nature or very relaxing, soft music.
This is much different from a runner looking to achieve a specific goal or optimize for runner’s high. Taking into account your activity and goals is important before building your next playlist.
Matching Your Cadence To Music
If you are trying to figure out what tempo of the music you should be listening to, you need to find out how many steps you take in a minute when running and walking.
Start a stopwatchand do your thing for 60 seconds, counting your steps. That will tell you what BPM you should be looking for in your running songs.
If you have a good smartwatch, it may show your cadence for you. Apple Watch, for example, shows the average cadence. It is all calculated out for you in black and white! Then you can Google “music with X BPM.”
On a recent run, my average cadence was 173. If trying to complete that same type of workout, I would look for music at a high number of beats per minute.
Matching Your Rate of Perceived Exertion To Music
Another way to calibrate your music to your workouts is to focus on song BPM’s that match bring your Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) up or down based on your run type. For a good tutorial on how to do this, watch RunnerClick Pro Coach, Evan Wood, run you through the BPM & RPE matching exercise below.
Click here to learn more about the Rate of Perceived Exertion.
What’s the Best Running Song BPM?
There a multiplestudiesthat show that 165 steps per minute is the most optimal running pace for novices. This is great because there are many fantastic running songs within the 160 and 170 BPM range.
If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting at 120 BPM and increasing based on your comfort level.
When it comes to elite athletes, 180 BPM will help ensure a stride turnover of 180 steps per minute is reached.
But don’t let maintaining a high BPM cause you to overexert yourself. Regardless of your fitness level, the optimal running song BPM is the one that helps you maintain a steady pace and target heart rate.
How Can I Determine The BPM Of A Song?
You can certainly attempt to count the beats within a 60-second time frame, but who has time for that, right?
We like plugging in a song title intoSongBPM.comto easily find the BPM of our favorite running songs.
We’ve even begun building a library of the best running songs, all categorized by genre, artist, and BPM. The list below is a good place to start but when youjoin the RunnerClick Pro community, you’ll receive instant access to our running song library. Hope to see you in the community soon.
Our List of the Top Running Songs By BPM
Peruse our favorite running songs below, based on their BPM. Then click the link to go to Spotify to add it to your workout playlists.
Or simply hit the heart icon for that song to help Spotify recommend more of what you’re looking for in a running playlist.
110-135 BPM songs
- Hollaback Girl by Gwen Steffani (110 BPM)
- I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas (129 BPM)
- Get This Party Started by Pink (129 BPM)
- Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake (117 BPM)
- Club Can’t Handle Me by Flo Rida (128 BPM)
- Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (130 BPM)
- Push It by Salt-N-Pepa (128 BPM)
- Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO (130 BPM)
135 – 149 BPM Songs
- Womanizer by Brittany Spears (139 BPM)
- Viva La Vida by Coldplay (138 BPM)
- Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson (135 BPM)
- Feel Good Inc by Gorillaz (138 BPM)
- It’s Still Rock N Roll To Me by Billie Joel (141 BPM)
- Higher Ground by Red Hot Chili Peppers (141 BPM)
150-175 BPM Songs
- All the Small Things by Blink 182 (150 BPM)
- Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon (151 BPM)
- Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5 (150 BPM)
- Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (151 BPM)
- Happy by Pharell Williams (160 BPM)
- What I Like About You by The Romantics (160 BPM)
- Shake It Off by Taylor Swift (160 BPM)
- The Pretender by the Foo Fighters (172 BPM)
- Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty (170 BPM)
High BPM Songs (180 BPM Songs)
- I Would Die For You by Prince
- Dancing With Myself by Billie Idol
- Livin’ La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin
- In Da Club by 50 Cent
- Chattahoochee by Alan Jackson
- It’s a Little Too Late by Mark Chestnut
- Breaking the Law by Judas Priest
- Mambo #5 by Lou Bega
- Love Is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar
Is 180 BPM Fast?
You bet 180 beats per minute is fast!
If you’re looking to pick up the pace in your workout, you may want to seed some 180 BPM songs into your next playlist.
But before you create an entire playlist of 180 BPM running songs, try the interval workout recommendation below. Those 180 BPM songs will be much more manageable.
Building An Interval Workout Playlist
An interesting concept is creating aninterval workoutby switching up your music.
A woman I coach was telling me that she struggles with hitting the paces I am asking of her. I asked if shelistens to music when she runs. When she responded yes, I asked her what her favorite genre of music was.
Together, we discussed the tempo and beat of the music and how she could use music to cue her running. One thing we did is for her next 5-mile run, where her goal was to warm up for one mile, then run 3 miles of threshold, then a mile of cool down, I encouraged her to make a workout playlist.
She chose 4 songs that have a very easy pace. After that, she jacked up the tempo and mood of the music. Based on her pace, I told her to pick roughly 24 minutes of songs that would keep her moving fast. After those songs, she should choose 4 more songs at a slower tempo.
Guess what happened? The music cued her workout. Without focusing on her Garmin, encouraged to run based on the music cues, she came close to finishing the entire workout I built for her.
A trick I use for my own runs is to create a playlist with a fast song followed by a slower one. When the song changes, I either pick up or slow down my pace. A simple click of your smartwatch can tell you what pace you have run and for how long. This is a musical version of a surprisefartlek run.
However you choose to use it, music can lead your next run for you.
Craft multiple playlists with unique Spotify playlist names so you can easily find your favorites.
Evan Wood, running coach and RunnerClick Pro member, discusses how and why choosing a specific BPM tune affects your running.
Top Running Songs By BPM
We’ve put together a database of over 1,700 running songs ranging from 50 BPM’s, all the way up to 210 BPM’s. Sort the list by BPM, Artist, or Genre, then click the Listen on Spotify link to add the song to your running playlist.
| BPM | Artist | Song Title | Genre | Spotify Link |
|---|
FAQs
Which song has highest BPM? ›
- Beyoncé's, 'Break My Soul'
- Florence + The Machine, 'Free' ...
- Rosalía, 'Despechá' ...
- The Weeknd, 'Less Than Zero' ...
- Sam Smith featuring Kim Petras, 'Unholy' ...
- Steve Lacy, 'Bad Habit' ...
- Kendrick Lamar, 'N95' ...
The general consensus is that the best music for running lies somewhere between 120 and 140 BPM. A lot of genres fit in that range, and you'll find a lot of mainstream dance, hip hop, and rock and roll in here. Basically, it's a tempo we're rather familiar with.
What song has a BPM of 180? ›Hip-Hop/Rap 180 BPM Playlist 1
"Runnin' (Dying to Live)" Tupac with The Notorious B.I.G.
90-99 BPM is the most popular tempo range.
What BPM is rap god? ›The song's tempo is 148 BPM.
Is 200 BPM fast music? ›Moderato (moderate) is 108–120 BPM. Allegro (fast) is 120–168 BPM. Presto (faster) is 168–200 BPM.
Is 120 BPM too fast music? ›Allegretto – moderately fast (98–109 BPM) Allegro – fast, quickly and bright (109–132 BPM) Vivace – lively and fast (132–140 BPM) Presto – extremely fast (168–177 BPM)
What song is #1 on Billboard 2022? ›Harry Styles & Bad Bunny Lead the Charge: The Year in Global Charts 2022. Styles' “As It Was” is the top song of 2022 on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts.
What is Number 1 song of all time? ›What's the number 1 song in the world ever? ›
According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
How long is 170 BPM mile? ›Some sources say an eight-minute mile corresponds with a BPM of 170; others go up to 200.
What BPM is a 10 minute mile? ›For a running pace of 10:00 per mile, we recommend workout music at 150 BPM.
What BPM is a 13 minute mile? ›Although your mile-time as a runner varies based on stride length, terrain, and personal health factors, keeping pace on a 120 BPM playlist should put you at about a 13-minute mile.
Can you hit 200 BPM? ›According to their calculations, maximum heart rate is around 220 beats per minute (bpm) minus the person's age. Therefore, a 20-year-old's maximum heart rate would be around 200 bpm (220 minus 20 = 200 bpm).
What song has 100 to 120 beats per minute? ›Anyone who's taken a CPR class has heard that The Bee Gees' “Stayin' Alive” is the perfect song for hitting the 100-120 beats per minute required for ideal chest compressions.
What songs have a 170 beats per minute? ›- Back In The High Life AgainSteve Winwood.
- Ramblin' ManDickey Betts, Allman Brothers Band.
- ManeaterDaryl Hall & John Oates.
- Smokin'Boston.
- PushMatchbox Twenty.
- FootlooseKenny Loggins.
- Hit the Road JackRay Charles.
- Good Golly, Miss MollyLittle Richard.
A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Generally, a lower heart rate at rest implies more efficient heart function and better cardiovascular fitness. For example, a well-trained athlete might have a normal resting heart rate closer to 40 beats per minute.
What BPM are most club songs? ›Most commercial billboard singles clock in between 118-122 BPM, whereas typical hardcore and gabber tracks sit between the 150 and 200 BPM range. This makes them at least manageable for a dancefloor.
What BPM is Suge DaBaby? ›Suge is a very happy song by DaBaby with a tempo of 75 BPM. It can also be used double-time at 150 BPM. The track runs 2 minutes and 43 seconds long with a D key and a minor mode. It has high energy and is very danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar.
What BPM is power Kanye? ›
POWER is a song by Kanye West with a tempo of 154 BPM. It can also be used half-time at 77 BPM or double-time at 308 BPM. The track runs 4 minutes and 52 seconds long with a C key and a minor mode. It has high energy and is somewhat danceable with a time signature of 4 beats per bar.
What BPM is Pop Rock? ›| Genre | Typical BPM |
|---|---|
| Jazz and Funk | 120-125 |
| Pop | 100-130 |
| R&B | 60-80 |
| Rock | 110-140 |
About supraventricular tachycardia
They may occur regularly, several times a day, or very infrequently, once or twice a year. The heart rate may be as high as 250 beats per minute, but is usually between 140 and 180 (a normal heartbeat should be 60-100 beats per minute at rest).
A normal resting heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 beats a minute. Anything over 100 is considered tachycardia. SVT rates are usually about 150 to 250 beats a minute. Some people feel an irregular heartbeat as well as a fast one.
What genre has the fastest BPM? ›Speedcore is a form of electronic music that is characterized by a high tempo and aggressive themes. It was created in the early to mid-1990s and the name originates from the hardcore genre as well as the high-speed tempo used. This music rarely drops below 300 beats per minute (bpm).
Is 174 BPM fast music? ›What Tempo Marking Is a 174 BPM Speed? A tempo of 174 is considered Vivace or Presto which is lively and fast.
Is 180 BPM fast in music? ›What Tempo Marking Is a 180 BPM Speed? A tempo of 180 is Presto which is very, very fast. This speed is usually used in the final movements of a concerto or symphony.
Is 120 beats per minute unhealthy? ›According to the American Heart Association, a normal adult resting heart rate is between 60 beats per minute (BPM) and 100 BPM for people 15 years and older. A resting pulse rate of 120 BPM in adults would be considered high.
What is the top 10 hits today? ›- ceilingsLizzy McAlpine.
- golden hourJVKE.
- Just Wanna RockLil Uzi Vert.
- Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53Bizarrap, Shakira.
- Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)Sam Smith, Kim Petras.
- Love AgainThe Kid LAROI.
- SnoozeSZA.
- I'm Good (Blue)David Guetta, Bebe Rexha.
Harry Styles' "As It Was" was 2022's most streamed Spotify song.
Which is the most trending song now? ›
- Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)Rema, Selena Gomez.
- BonesImagine Dragons.
- Maan Meri JaanKing.
- Tere Pyaar MeinPritam, Arijit Singh, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Nikhita Gandhi.
- Ghodey Pe Sawaar (From "Qala")Amit Trivedi, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Sireesha Bhagavatula.
"Old Town Road" holds the record for the longest stretch at No. 1 with 19 weeks.
Who has the most #1 hits in history? ›The Beatles, unsurprisingly, lead the way with a record 20 No. 1s, all earned between 1964 and 1970.
What is a best selling song called? ›The Guinness World Records named the holiday single "White Christmas" (1942) by Bing Crosby as the best-selling single worldwide. According to Guinness, "White Christmas" sold over 50 million copies. The single is known as the "best-selling single of all time".
What is the longest song ever played? ›For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac newsletter.
The longest recorded pop song is “Apparente Libertà,” by Giancarlo Ferrari, which is 76 minutes, 44 seconds long.
The Shortest Hot 100 Hits
While it just misses the second list above, Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs' “Stay” is the shortest No. 1: just 1:38 in length. The classic led the Nov. 21, 1960, Hot 100.
Subtracting your age from the number 220 will give you your maximum heart rate. Suppose your age is 35 years, and your maximum heart rate is 185 beats per minute. If your heart rate exceeds 185 beats per minute during exercise, it is dangerous for you.
What mph is a 20 minute mile? ›Calories Burned Walking: 3 mph (20 minutes per mile)
What mph is a 15 minute mile? ›Medium intensity: Speed 4 to 5 mph; pace between 12 and 15 minutes per mile.
What is the fastest 1 mile time? ›
If you're new to running, you might run one mile in closer to 12 to 15 minutes as you build up endurance. Elite marathon runners average a mile in around 4 to 5 minutes. The current world record for one mile is 3:43.13, set by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1999.
How many BPM is a fast walk? ›For the high end of your target heart rate, multiply 220 bpm minus your age by 0.85 (85 percent). For example, for a 40-year-old it'd be 180 bpm x 0.85 = 153 bpm. For this person, their target heart rate while walking would be between 90 and 153 beats per minute.
How fast is 1 mile in 9 minutes? ›How fast is a 9 minute mile really? The 9-minute mile pace works out at 5.35 min/km, around 6.7 miles per hour, or 10.7 km per hour – it should feel like a fast jog.
How fast is a 3 minute mile? ›A three minute mile would be at a speed of 20 miles per hour.
How fast is a 4 minute mile? ›Running a mile in four minutes translates to a speed of 15 miles per hour (24 km/h).
How fast of a walk is 120 BPM? ›Now, as you get better at this, you will want to walk faster. 120 BPM is about 3.7 miles per hour.
Is 170 BPM fast for a song? ›Running to Rock Music | 170-175 BPM
Run to Rock songs with a moderately-fast beat (170-175 BPM). Artists include Bon Jovi, Guns 'N Roses, The Doobie Brothers and more.
Generally, for adults, a heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) is considered high.
Is 200 BPM fast for a song? ›Moderato (moderate) is 108–120 BPM. Allegro (fast) is 120–168 BPM. Presto (faster) is 168–200 BPM.
Is 170 beats per minute a boy or girl? ›If it's over 140 bpm, you're having a baby girl. Below 140 bpm, you're carrying a boy. The truth is, your baby's heart will likely start beating sometime around week 6 of your pregnancy. You can even see and measure this flicker of light on an ultrasound.
How many BPM is a 10 minute mile? ›
If your running pace is a 10-minute mile, your target BPM is 160.
How many BPM is 3 mph? ›For a stroll walker going at a pace of around 3 miles an hour, a remixed track has a count of 115 to 118 B.P.M.; for a power walker going 4.5 m.p.h., the count is 137 to 139 B.P.M., while the B.P.M. for a runner elevates to 147 to 160.
What BPM is rap? ›Hip-Hop is usually between 80-100 BPM. Although we have half time Hip-Hop beats like southern Hip-Hop and Crunk, well the BPM ranges 130-150 BPM.
How many BPM is a 7 minute mile? ›For a running pace of 7:00 per mile, we recommend workout music at 180 BPM.
What tempo is too fast? ›| Tempo Marking | Translation | Beats Per Minute |
|---|---|---|
| Allegro | Fast, quickly and bright | 120 - 156 bpm |
| Vivace | Briskly, Lively and fast | 156 - 176 bpm |
| Vivacissimo | Very fast and lively, faster than Vivace | 172 - 176 bpm |
| Allegrissimo or Allegro vivace | Very Fast | 172 - 176 bpm |
- Rokit (129 BPM)Jon Craig.
- Addicted (129 BPM)Iomac.
- Inked (125 BPM)Iomac.
- Ready for the Weekend (138 BPM)Keep Up Down.
- Déjà Vu (126 BPM) - Freemasons Club RemixThrust.
- Baby Got Back (128 BPM)Thrust.
- Perfect (Exceeder) [128 BPM]Keep Up Down.
- Blind Faith (139 BPM)Dynamation.
“Godzilla” (2020) by Eminem 78 words in 12 seconds (6.5 words per second) was the fastest hit single. Although Moby's "Thousand" was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the fastest tempo in beats per minute at approximately 1,015 BPM.