Best Old School Workout Songs
For most of us, our workouts are solo. Unless we have that amazing gym buddy we can rely on, we’re on our own. And that's ok. We're working on us, for us, and nobody but us.
There's always that one friend that's with us though: our music. A quality sound and a great rhythm will keep us going in those times where we'd otherwise stop from exhaustion. An uplifting chorus can make the difference between one more rep, one more mile, or calling it a day.
That’s why it’s so important to have a good workout playlist. A workout playlist isn’t just songs you like; a workout out playlist is filled with songs that’ll motivate you. But for workout songs to be effective, they have to have certain criteria.
Workout music is good when it has a certain tempo (aka speed) and rhythmic response. If you want to tap your feet to it, or bob your head, that’s the rhythm response. The tempo (the pace of the drums playing 1, 2, 3, 4) is usually around 120-140 beats per minute.
Workout Method
This isn't your average workout playlist. Oh no. This is the playlist that has been curated, examined, and put in the correct order. Every song here is meant to fit the theme, pump you up, and put you in the correct frame of mind to get you through your workout.
The playlist gets you through a workout that's an hour and a twenty minute set. It’s 40 minutes on the treadmill with a dip in the middle. Then you get a 10 minute breather to figure out how you're going to hit the weights and the benches. Then you have 30 minutes of strength training. The playlist isn’t meant to be listened to on random. It’s meant to be listened to straight through. Why? You need to concentrate on your workout instead of hitting the forward button because some awkward slow song comes on just when you need the music to kick in.
Old School Workout Songs - The Summary
Instead of the usual “build up”, we’re doing the opposite. We’re starting strong with "Maniac". We’re gonna keep this theme until we finish up "Gonna Make You Sweat". There’s a built in dip in the middle of your run with "Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough". It’s a casual six minute jog to break down some of that lactic acid in our muscles. Then we pulse right back into it with "Take On Me" up until you "Back That Azz Up".
If you’re on a treadmill with a 40 minute cycle, the machine will probably have a 2-minute cool down option build in. That’s where "You’re The Best" comes in.
Now we need to get off the treadmill. I know, that’s always the hardest part. It's where it’s the easiest to just give up and go home. That's another problem with randomized playlists. The songs you really need to pump you up, your best songs, will only come on when you’re wandering from the treadmill to the weights and benches. Just for that, I built in an interlude section of This is "How We Do It", "The Sign," and "Livin’ on a Prayer." (Remember, you're listening to this without shuffle!)
Then it’s back to the workout with "Push It". We’re going for regular beats that can pump us up while we’re pumping iron. So the beats and higher octane sounds in this section are little more irregular. You can build up time and space between each rep, especially if you’re lifting heavier than normal. That’s why "Gonna Fly Now", "Beat It", and "Don’t Stop Believin’" is here. You’re already burnt, but you can push through.
And when you’re done, you can towel off to "I’m Too Sexy" and strut out of the gym to "Stayin’ Alive".
The Workout Songs - Why They're Here
Songs are on your playlists are there to evoke some kind of emotional response. That song gives us a flood of energy, that song makes us angry at the world, so we work harder at what we're doing. This list is divorced from that. So let me give you a little insight as to why they're on this list.
Maniac - Michael Sembello: This song will Pump. You. Up. At 156 BPM it's just outside of the average range of workout music. But, "Maniac" has everything you could desire in a workout start: consistent rhythm, a fast tempo, and an upbeat message. It also helps that synth drum is extremely repetitive with its 8th notes. The deception in its beat weasels its way into your head. The next thing you know, you’re going hard, and you have no idea how you got there. (If you tap your foot every time you hear a drum, you’re actually counting at twice the speed. But that’s what makes it so likely to get you going. I knew all those music classes would come in handy.)
I Wish - Skee-Lo: Depending on how your rhythm response interprets I Wish, you're either going to be feeling those eighth notes and pounding pavement, of you're gonna use this as a medium pace song. Both are great and the message will keep you going. Everyone wishes they were a little bit taller, even Shaq.
Whip It - DEVO: You're going fast. If you're on a treadmill, you're going to want to turn up the speed for the next 2:40 minutes. It'll be worth it.
Gonna Make You Sweat - C & C Music Factory: Just like you can't have a movie about the 90s without Gonna Make You Sweat, you can't have an Old School workout playlist without it. Bring it down just a little bit after Whip It, but don't drop the speed too much. You want to sweat.
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson: If you're still feeling pumped, feel the faster rhythm inherent in the beat. If not, just jog this one out. It's not slow enough to throw you off, but not fast enough to burn you out. The outro on the Single Version should get you ready for a-ha
Take On Me - a-ha: You should be back into feeling the power now. If not, this 170 BPM track from a-ha will definitely bring that power back. The fadeout should get you ready for an oldie but a goodie.
Boom Boom Boom - Out Here Brothers: It's Boom Boom Boom. Need I say more?
Always Something There To Remind Me - Naked Eyes: With a kicked up intro, soft lyrics, and a heavy bass, now is the perfect time to remind yourself about all the good reasons you're at the gym. Sure it's a song about an ex, but you don't need that in your life. You need to remember the good things. Like making yourself feel awesome.
Back That Azz Up - Juvenile: And one of the reasons you're working on making yourself feel awesome is so you can hit the dance floor. So back that ass up!
You're The Best - The Karate Kid: Who didn't see the original The Karate Kid and not feel inspired by its cheesy but uplifting beats? You just killed a 40 minute run at a pretty fast pace. You are the best.
This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan/The Sign - Ace of Base/Livin 'On A Prayer - Bon Jovi: You're wandering through the gym or coming back inside from your run. Take your 10 minutes to breathe, center yourself, and get ready for the next part.
Push It - Salt-N-Pepa: One of the classic weight lifting anthems (at least it's one of mine!). This is a great way to begin any session of strength training.
O.P.P - Naughty By Nature: Do some heavier sets here. Every time the chorus starts, you know it's time to do more reps. The verses are just long enough to give your muscles a chance to relax, but not long enough to pull you out of a cycle.
What Is Love - Haddaway: It's all about the feeling, and like O.P.P., using the chorus to do some reps. Sure, you're tearing up your muscles, but remember, this is love.
Gonna Fly Now - Bill Conti: No explanation needed.
Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J: If you've been pumping iron as hard as you should have been, you're gonna be feeling it now. But that's ok. Every time you're starting to feel down, just wait for LL to just start spitting the chorus. Get the biggest weights you can lift, and every time he goes, "I'm Gonna Knock You Out" lift that sucker. Feel the triumph in his voice. Muster that strength. You can do it.
Beat It - Michael Jackson: You're getting close to the end, so now you just need to beat that little voice in your head that wants you to go home. Let M.J. help you with that.
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey: Finish this workout strong. This is the song you need to finish those final reps, push yourself to that last set. And if you need a little breather before you complete that last step, you've got three minutes of verse before you get to the chorus.
I'm Too Sexy/Stayin' Alive: I'm Too Sexy is the perfect way to finish a workout. You're tired, but damn it, you're too sexy to stop. But to prevent injury you will stop. Just so you can come to the gym tomorrow. Towel off and strut out of that gym with Stayin' Alive blasting in your ears. Hell, rip your headphones out and blast it on your phone's speaker. Be that person. You know you want to.
Now Get Out There And Go Workout!
