I was struggling on a recent run. The headwind was fierce, I had forgotten my gloves and it was a rare solo run for me. I wanted to be done. Then, one of my “power songs” came on: titanium. My mood instantly changed and so did my pace. Can music motivate you to run faster? Maybe so.
The power of music as a motivator
Music can distract us from an arduous task, elevate our moods and affect our exercise performance. Studies have shown music can “improve exercise performance either by delaying fatigue or increasing work capacity”. Song lyrics that you find motivational and catchy can inspire you to work longer or harder.
Can Music Help you run faster?
Maybe. Studies have shown that music with higher BPM tends to help “improve athletic performance when a person engages in low-to-moderate level exercise, either by increasing distance traveled, pace, or repetitions completed” (source)
Similar studies have shown “listening to high-tempo music while exercising resulted in the highest heart rate and lowest perceived exertion compared with not listening to music”. Basically, music can distract you from the effort of exercising or running.
What type of music should you listen to?
Music is a very subjective thing. What motivates one runner may not motivate another. However, fast music with stronger beats (130-150 bpm) tends to be the most impactful. If you have ever taken a Peloton class or an Orange theory class, you have most likely noticed there is always high energy, fast paced music.
Crafting your playlist
You can check the BPM’s of any song using this calculator. Music apps like Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify also have playlists specifically for running.
Power Songs
These are a few popular running songs and find the full list of this year’s most popular running songs.
Born to run
Eye of the Tiger
Firework
Don’t start now
stronger
Good as hell
Check out some of my favorites here and here on my Spotify playlists.
Headphones
Music is only as good as the headphones or earbuds you listen to it on. After going through a few different brands in the last few years, I’ve landed on these. They work in the rain and have a very long battery charge.
What are your favorite running songs? Does music motivate you?
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
I absolutely agree! I never run with music because I like a “silent” run – but I do see how music can motivate you to go faster!
I like it when there is loud music along a race route – it can be very energizing.
When I run with friends, I don’t use music but when alone I do. Hearing one of my favorite songs come on definitely motivates me
I don’t listen to music when I run, except once in awhile on the treadmill. I prefer to run without headphones although I will do a podcast on a long run once in awhile. I could definitely see how it could motivate you to run faster though!
Hearing a fun song with catchy lyrics definitely motivates me
Yes, indeed, music is a powerful force! While I’ve “weaned” myself off of it (when running), I have logged many, many miles with its aid.
I don’t listen to music when I run with friends but I love it on a solo run. The music on the Peloton cycle classes really pushes me to pedal faster
i love looking at other people’s playlists! We have a few songs in common, but not many (I think you’re cooler than I am.) i love putting on music for the last few miles of a long run- it definitely peps me up!
Music can definitely keep me motivated especially in a longer race. I got a lot of my music from Peloton classes 🙂
I think my having a running playlist also has the bonus of getting excited to hear certain songs. I made a new playlist for this spring’s races and it was fun to find ones I’d forgotten on my iPod. We had a chat post race about the perfect songs, BPM wise but not sure I could do that mental math early in the morning.
No I cannot do the mental math either but whatever songs motivate you are the songs you want on your playlist
I definitely think that music is an incredible mood booster for pretty much anything. I enjoy running without it though. I stopped quite a few years ago when it was strongly suggested not to wear headphones in a race. I’ve just never gone back to it.
Great power song list!
I go through phases of enjoying running with music. I do really like it for race day
I do think music is great for getting through those hard runs. I used to run with music all the time.
I stopped but not sure why. I still have my playlists.
Now I tend to listen to podcasts since it’s the only time I have the time.
Thanks for sharing your playlist. It is very similar to mine lol
I also go through phases of running with music and not. I love it for race day when I am running without my budddies
I am a child of the 80s, so Eye of the Tiger has my heart. That comes on and I am flying. Well. As much as I can fly.
ha ha I hear ya!