Scientists compile the ultimate workout playlist for gym success

A doctor at Brunel University has analysed more than 6.7million work out playlists to compile the ultimate fitness soundtrack.

16:06 17 January 2014

Getting fit is a common New Year’s resolution and for many people in 2014, this was no exception. However, a lot of people find it increasingly difficult to stay healthy. Aiming to keep people on the right track, sports scientist Dr Costas Karageorghis has created the ultimate fitness soundtrack.

The scientists at Brunel University worked with music streaming service Spotify and studied more than 6.7million fitness compilations to identify which ones are effective in motivating a lot of people.

Tracks were picked out based on the global popularity together with music that are proven to make you work harder based on their tempo, style, and lyrical content.

Dr Costas Karageorghis, Deputy Head (Research) of the School of Sport and Education at Brunel University, London and Reader in Sport Psychology said: “When synching your movements to the beat of the music, increase the intensity of your workout by raising the music tempo by one or two BPMs beyond your comfort zone – this will increase your work rate with the added benefit that the difference in effort will be almost imperceptible.

"A suitably motivational playlist can help to 'colour' the symptoms of exercise-related fatigue, like breathlessness and a beating heart, in such a way that they are interpreted in a more positive manner.

"This means that at the point when your body is shouting 'STOP', the music has the power to lift your mood and beckon you on.

"This is why your choice of music for exercise has important implications for how likely you are to stick to a New Year exercise regime."


The Ultimate Workout playlist:

1. Roar - Katy Perry - 92 BPM (Mental preparation)
2. Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo ft 2 Chainz - 100 BPM (Stretching)
3. Skip To The Good Bit - Rizzle Kicks - 105 BPM (Stretching)
4. Get Lucky - Daft Punk ft Pharrel Williams - 116 BPM (Aerobic/Warm up)
5. Move - Little Mix - 120 BPM (Aerobic/Warm up)
6. Need U 100% - Duke Dumont ft A*M*E - 124 BPM (Cardio training, low intensity)
7. You Make Me - Avicii - 125 BPM (Cardio training, low intensity)
8. Feel My Rhythm - Viralites - 128 BPM (Cardio training, moderate intensity)
9. Timber - Pitbull ft Ke$ha - 130 BPM (Cardio training, moderate intensity)
10. Applause - Lady Gaga - 140 BPM (Cardio training, high intensity)
11. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft Ray Dalton - 147 BPM (Cardio training, very high intensity)
12. Happy - Pharrell Williams - 160 BPM (Cardio training, very high intensity)
13. The Monster - Eminem ft Rihanna - 110 BPM (Strength training)
14. Love Me Again - John Newman - 126 BPM (Strength training)
15. Get Down - Groove Armada ft Stush and Red Rat - 127 BPM (Strength training)
16. #thatPOWER - will.i.am ft Justin Bieber - 128 BPM (Strength training)

 

Fancy shaping up? Why not take a look at your local payasugym?