Study Analyzes 1,000 Songs to Find the Ultimate Workout Playlist
If your workout playlist feels stale, new data may have the answer you've been looking for.
A new study has revealed which popular tracks actually perform best during workouts. The results may change what you listen to when you work up a sweat.
How a New Study Ranked the Best Workout Songs
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In March 2026, the team at Instant Hydration shared the results of a new study with Men's Journal. The research offers practical guidance on building the ultimate workout playlist that can help keep your heart rate up the next time you exercise. The company also explained the methodology the study used:
"The study looked at the 25 most popular workout playlists on Spotify and collected a list of over 1,000 tracks. By looking at how many times each artist appeared in music collections and what their most repeated songs were, the research identified the most popular tracks. The final ranking was made up of the most energetic songs, with beats per minute (BPM) of 120+."
The Most Popular Songs Across Workout Playlists
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According to the findings of the study, the most popular workout track right now is Eminem's "'Till I Collapse." The song has been streamed more than 2.44 billion times on Spotify alone and appeared on four of the popular playlists that were analyzed. It also clocks in at 171.4 beats per minute.
The next track on the list is Britney Spears' "Toxic," a song that has long been known to energize listeners. The 2004 track has a 143 beats per minute rate and also appeared on four of the playlists.
Third place goes to the 2011 song "N****s In Paris" from Jay-Z and Kanye "Ye" West. The study notes that the 140 beats per minute track has been described as "perfect for lifting" and great for giving you a second wind.
The Study's List in Reverse Order:
- 11. 21 Savage - "redrum"
- 10. Mustard - "Pure Water" (with Migos)
- 9. Central Cee - "Doja"
- 8. Metro Boomin - "Like That"
- 7. Bad Bunny - "NUEVAYoL"
- 6. Kanye "Ye" West - "POWER"
- 5. Drake - "Jimmy Cooks" (feat. 21 Savage)
- 4. Travis Scott - "FE!N" (feat. Playboi Carti)
- 3. JAY-Z and Kanye "Ye" West - "N****s In Paris"
- 2. Britney Spears - "Toxic"
- 1. Eminem - "'Till I Collapse"
Alongside releasing the findings of their study, Instant Hydration included the following statement on the importance of properly hydrating after pushing yourself hard during a workout.
"The endurance boost from music is great, but it comes with a cost that most people don't factor in. Longer, more intense sessions driven by high-tempo tracks lead to more sweat, higher heart rates, and faster depletion of both fluids and electrolytes. Fast-tempo music improves running performance and acts as an ergogenic aid during aerobic activity, but the harder you go, the more your recovery depends on what you put back in."