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Top 80s Workout Songs—From My 10 Years Teaching Exercise Classes

Top 80s Workout Songs

Since the 80s are known for rock music, teased up hairstyles, and high energy performances, it only makes sense that the decade made some banger workout songs. There are SO MANY GOOD hits on this 80s workout songs list. 

Here are just my favorite 80s workout songs—great for indoor cycling class, workout routines, stretching, and more! I’ve broken the songs up by genre and then by BPM (for certain workout types).

Table of Contents

Click the links to take you to your desired section. 

80s workout songs by genre:

80s workout songs by BPM / exercise type:

Enjoy! 

80s Heavy Metal Workout Music

  1. “Cult of Personality,” Living Colour (92 BPM)
  2. “Nothin’ But A Good Time,” Poison (129 BPM)
  3. “Home Sweet Home,” Motley Crue (66 BPM)
  4. “Round and Round,” Ratt (127 BPM)
  5. “Kickstart My Heart,” Motley Crue (179 BPM)
  6. “Lick It Up,” KISS (138 BPM)
  7. “The Trooper,” Iron Maiden (160 BPM)
  8. “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Scorpions (126 BPM)
  9. “Master of Puppets,” Metallica (220 BPM)
  10. “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Twisted Sister (148 BPM)
  11. “Trashed,” Black Sabbath (175 BPM)
  12. “Rainbow in the Dark,” Dio (117 BPM)
  13. “Dr. Feelgood,” Motley Crue (171 BPM)
  14. “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Def Leppard (85 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s Heavy Metal indoor cycling routine that will kickstart your heart.

Listen to the songs in my Spotify playlist here or in my YouTube playlist here:

80s New Wave Workout Songs

  1. “Kids in America,” Kim Wilde (160 BPM)
  2. “Call Me,” Blondie (132 BPM)
  3. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart (125 BPM)
  4. “Whip It,” DEVO (142 BPM)
  5. “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” The Police (140 BPM)
  6. “Take on Me,” a-ha (85 BPM)
  7. “Our Lips Are Sealed,” The Go-Go’s (152 BPM)
  8. “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record),” Dead Or Alive (128 BPM)
  9. “Always Something There to Remind Me,” Naked Eyes (119 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  10. “We Got The Beat,” The Go-Go’s (151 BPM)
  11. “Hungry Like the Wolf,” Duran Duran (127 BPM)
  12. “Don’t You Want Me,” The Human League (118 BPM)
  13. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” The Police (137 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  14. “Relax,” Frankie Goes To Hollywood (115 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s New Wave indoor cycling routine that you will love.

You can find all these songs on my Spotify playlist or on YouTube here:

80s Hard Rock Workout Playlist

  1. “You Shook Me All Night Long,” AC/DC (127 BPM)
  2. “Lick It Up,” KISS (138 BPM)
  3. “Bad Medicine,” Bon Jovi (119 BPM)
  4. “I Love Rock ‘N Roll,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (96 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  5. “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” Scorpions (126 BPM)
  6. “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” ZZ Top (120 BPM)
  7. “Welcome To The Jungle,” Guns N’ Roses (124 BPM)
  8. “Panama,” Van Halen (110 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  9. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar (127 BPM)
  10. “No One Like You,” Scorpions (112 BPM)
  11. “Sharp Dressed Man,” ZZ Top (125 BPM)
  12. “Round and Round,” Ratt (127 BPM)
  13. “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses (125 BPM)
  14. “The Final Countdown,” Europe (117 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  15. “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Def Leppard (85 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s Hard Rock indoor cycling routine that’ll give you a great workout.

Want to hear the songs? I’ve added all these songs and more to my Spotify playlist here or my YouTube playlist here:

80s Classic Rock Workout Songs

  1. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” Queen (77 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  2. “All She Wants To Do Is Dance,” Don Henley (116 BPM)
  3. “Jessie’s Girl,” Rick Springfield (132 BPM)
  4. “Bad Reputation,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (110 BPM)
  5. “Addicted To Love,” Robert Palmer (117 BPM)
  6. “Crazy Train,” Ozzy Osbourne (138 BPM)
  7. “Hot for Teacher,” Van Halen (142 BPM)
  8. “Hurts So Good,” John Mellencamp (128 BPM)
  9. “Livin’ On A Prayer,” Bon Jovi (123 BPM)
  10. “Another One Bites The Dust,” Queen (109 BPM)
  11. “You Give Love A Bad Name,” Bon Jovi (123 BPM)
  12. “Got My Mind Set on You,” George Harrison (157 BPM)
  13. “Dr. Feelgood,” Motley Crue (171 BPM)
  14. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey (119 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s Classic Rock indoor cycling routine for you to enjoy.

Want to hear the songs? I’ve added all these songs to my Spotify playlist here or on YouTube here:

80s Pop Workout Songs

  1. “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul (114 BPM)
  2. “Like a Virgin,” Madonna (116 BPM)
  3. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes (109 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  4. “I’m Still Standing,” Elton John (174 BPM)
  5. “Manic Monday,” The Bangles (109 BPM)
  6. “Kiss On My List,” Hall & Oates (110 BPM; could go faster than BPM)
  7. “Maneater,” Hall & Oates (174 BPM)
  8. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Whitney Houston (120 BPM)
  9. “Love Shack,” The B-52’s (134 BPM)
  10. “Footloose,” Kenny Loggins (170 BPM)
  11. “Physical,” Olivia Newton John (122 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s Pop indoor cycling routine for you to try.

Want to hear the songs? I’ve added all these songs and more to my Spotify playlist here or on YouTube here:

80s Hip-hop and R&B Workout Songs

  1. “Celebration,” Kool & The Gang (122 BPM)
  2. “Let’s Groove,” Earth, Wind & Fire (125 BPM)
  3. “Push It,” Salt-N-Pepa (127 BPM)
  4. “Rock Steady,” The Whispers (116 BPM)
  5. “Wipeout,” Fat Boys, The Beach Boys (129 BPM)
  6. “Wild Thing,” Tone-Loc (126 BPM)
  7. “Funky Cold Medina,” Tone-Loc (117 BPM)
  8. “I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross (110 BPM)
  9. “Bust A Move,” Young MC (117 BPM)
  10. “It’s Tricky,” Run-D.M.C. (128 BPM)
  11. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” Deneice Williams (123 BPM)
  12. “Get Down On It,” Kool & The Gang (111 BPM)
  13. “Fight For Your Right,” Beastie Boys (134 BPM)
  14. “Walk This Way,” Run-D.M.C., Aerosmith (105 BPM)

I put these songs into an 80s Hip-hop and R&B indoor cycling routine. Enjoy!

Want to hear the songs? I’ve added all these songs and more to my Spotify playlist here or listen on YouTube here:

80s Workout Songs for Running Sprints and HIIT Exercises (140+ BPM)

  1. “Call Me,” Blondie (143 BPM)
  2. “You May Be Right,” Billy Joel (151 BPM)
  3. “Heartbreaker,” Pat Benatar (156 BPM)
  4. “Queen of Hearts,” Juice Newton (170 BPM)
  5. “Whip It,” Devo (158 BPM)
  6. “We Got The Beat,” The Go-Go’s (152 BPM)
  7. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” The Police (82 BPM; can go “double time” at chorus)
  8. “Kids in America,” Kim Wilde (160 BPM)
  9. “Working for the Weekend,” Loverboy (147 BPM)
  10. “Maneater,” Hall & Oates (178 BPM)
  11. “She Works Hard For the Money,” Donna Summer (137 BPM; close enough!)
  12. “You Can’t Hurry Love,” Phil Collins (98 BPM; can go “double time” at chorus)
  13. “I’m Still Standing,” Elton John (177 BPM)
  14. “Footloose,” Kenny Loggins (174 BPM)
  15. “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.,” John Cougar Mellencamp (164 BPM)
  16. “Walk Like An Egyptian,” The Bangles (103 BPM; can go “double time” at chorus)
  17. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” Queen (77 BPM: can go “double time”)
  18. “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me,” Billy Joel (141 BPM)
  19. “You Make My Dreams,” Hall & Oates (167 BPM)
  20. “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da,” The Police (148 BPM)
  21. “Tainted Love,” Soft Cell (144 BPM)
  22. “Mickey,” Toni Basil (150 BPM)
  23. “Always Something There To Remind Me,” Naked Eyes (149 BPM)

80s Workout Songs for Steady State, Jumps, and Weight Lifting Exercises (120 – 140 BPM)

  1. “Stomp!” The Brothers Johnson (120 BPM)
  2. “Cars,” Gary Numan (128 BPM)
  3. “Fame,” Irene Cara (131 BPM)
  4. “Celebration,” Kool & the Gang (122 BPM)
  5. “Kiss On My List,” Hall & Oates (121 BPM)
  6. “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar (127 BPM)
  7. “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” The Police (140 BPM)
  8. “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” Deneice Williams (123 BPM)
  9. “Physical,” Olivia Newton John (124 BPM)
  10. “Hurts So Good,” John Cougar (125 BPM)
  11. “Let’s Groove,” Earth, Wind, & Fire (125 BPM)
  12. “Our Lips Are Sealed,” The Go-Go’s (131 BPM)
  13. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Van Halen (128 BPM)
  14. “Beat It,” Michael Jackson (139 BPM)
  15. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” Eurythmics (125 BPM)
  16. “Hungry Like The Wolf,” Duran Duran (128 BPM)
  17. “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin,” Michael Jackson (122 BPM)
  18. “Jump,” Van Halen (130 BPM)
  19. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Cyndi Lauper (120 BPM)
  20. “Uptown Girl,” Billy Joel (129 BPM)
  21. “Love Is a Battlefield,” Pat Benatar 
  22. “Like a Virgin,” Madonna 
  23. “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” Don Henley
  24. “Addicted to Love,” Robert Palmer
  25. “You Give Love a Bad Name,” Bon Jovi 
  26. “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” Janet Jackson 
  27. “Manic Monday,” The Bangles
  28. “Take Me Home Tonight,” Eddie Money
  29. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Whitney Houston
  30. “Livin’ on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi 
  31. “Open Your Heart,” Madonna
  32. “(I Just) Died In Your Arms,” Cutting Crew
  33. “Hip to Be Square,” Huey Lewis and the News
  34. “Rock Steady,” The Whispers
  35. “Got My Mind Set on You,” George Harrison
  36. “Never Gonna Give You Up,” Rick Astley
  37. “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car,” Billy Ocean
  38. “I Hate Myself for Loving You,” Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
  39. “Nothin’ but a Good Time,” Poison
  40. “My Prerogative,” Bobby Brown
  41. “Straight Up,” Paula Abdul
  42. “She Drives Me Crazy,” Fine Young Cannibals
  43. “Wild Thing,” Tone Loc
  44. “Bust a Move,” Young MC
  45. “Love Shack,” The B-52’s
  46. “Funky Cold Medina,” Tone Loc 

80s Fitness Music for Climbs, Yoga, and Chill Exercises (Less Than 120 BPM)

  1. “Don’t Do Me Like That,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (117 BPM)
  2. “Rock With You,” Michael Jackson (114 BPM)
  3. “Upside Down,” Diana Ross (108 BPM)
  4. “Heartache Tonight,” Eagles (113 BPM)
  5. “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton (105 BPM)
  6. “Urgent,” Foreigner (115 BPM)
  7. “Another One Bites The Dust,” Queen (110 BPM)
  8. “I’m Coming Out,” Diana Ross (110 BPM)
  9. “Eye Of The Tiger,” Survivor (109 BPM)
  10. “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (94 BPM)
  11. “Don’t You Want Me,” The Human League (118 BPM)
  12. “Get Down On It,” Kool & The Gang (111 BPM)
  13. “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson (117 BPM)
  14. “Come On Eileen,” Dexys Midnight Runners (107 BPM)
  15. “1999,” Prince (119 BPM)
  16. “All Night Long (All Night),” Lionel Richie (109 BPM)
  17. “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” Rupert Holmes
  18. “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” Prince 
  19. “Keep On Loving You,” REO Speedwagon 
  20. “The Tide is High,” Blondie 
  21. “Take It On The Run,” REO Speedwagon 
  22. “Rosanna,” Toto
  23. “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Journey 
  24. “Down Under,” Men at Work 
  25. “Africa,” Toto
  26. “Little Red Corvette,” Prince
  27. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” Journey 
  28. “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now),” Phil Collins
  29. “If This Is It,” Huey Lewis and the News
  30. “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” REO Speedwagon 
  31. “We Built This City,” Starship 
  32. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
  33. “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!),” Beastie Boys
  34. “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” Def Leppard 
  35. “Fast Car,” Tracy Chapman 

If you liked this post, you might also like my other curations of workout songs: 

And, don’t forget to sign up for my free Indoor Cycling Weekly Routine newsletter for a class-tested, instructor-approved indoor cycling routine and playlist delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.