I see you looking for motivational workout songs. You’re trying to find something that is going to inspire you to put on your fitness clothes and get moving. Well, the time is now. Go put on that spandex. I’ll wait. When you’re ready, come back and follow one of my seven exercise playlists and motivational prompts below.
These prompts will help you take your workout from average to exceptional. You’re already halfway there—finding motivational workout songs is a huge piece of getting inspired. The second half is to tap into your mental toughness. You’re fully capable of pushing yourself to do your best with this workout, and these prompts will help you.
How does it work?
Simple. Read the prompt and take a moment to think about how you can apply it to your workout. Then, throughout the exercises, come back to the prompt and use it as motivation to increase your intensity level.
Enjoy!
Playlist #1: Traditional Motivational Workout Songs
You can find these songs all across the internet, but for good reason: they work. These are songs meant to inspire you to work harder, lift heavier, and run farther.
Prompt: What’s your fitness mantra?
A mantra is a word or phrase you can easily repeat to help you concentrate and focus your mind. Think of a simple mantra related to your fitness goal(s) that you can repeat to yourself throughout your workout to help you work harder towards achieving your goals.
Some examples:
- One word: faster
- Longer than yesterday
- My best
- A long, happy life
- Booty, booty, booty rockin’ everywhere (Can a mantra also be a song lyric??)
The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #1
- “Lose Yourself,” Eminem
- “Till I Collapse,” Eminem, Nate Dogg
- “Love Myself,” Hailee Steinfeld
- “Messiah – Dirty South Remix,” I See MONSTAS, Dirty South
- “Thunder,” Imagine Dragons
- “Jungle,” X Ambassadors, Jamie N Commons
- “The Champion,” Carrie Underwood, Ludacris
- “Out Here Grindin’,” DJ Khaled
- “Numb / Encore,” JAY-Z, Linkin Park
- “Turn Down for What,” DJ Snake, Lil Jon
- “She’s Kinda Hot,” 5 Seconds of Summer
- “Sweat – Remix,” Snoop Dogg, David Guetta
- “Remember the Name,” Fort Minor, Styles of Beyond
- “Lose My Breath,” Destiny’s Child
- “Way Down We Go,” KALEO
- “Go Hard or Go Home,” Wiz Khalifa, Iggy Azalea
- “You Shook Me All Night Long,” AC/DC
- “Shots,” LMFAO, Lil Jon
- “The Other Side,” Jason Derulo
- “Whatever It Takes,” Imagine Dragons
- “We Are the Champions
Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here:
Playlist #2: Motivational Workout Songs That Build Community
If these past few years have taught me anything, it’s that community is so critical to our well being and happiness. For most of us, community is something that we need to work hard to build each and every day—it doesn’t come easily. This is a great prompt for helping build your own sense of community and give back to the greater good in a small way.
Prompt: Dedicate your workout to someone else.
Think about the folks in your life that may need some good energy sent their way. Maybe it’s someone that’s struggling with an illness, a challenging job, or a difficult relationship. Maybe it’s a friend that you have been meaning to text and just haven’t found the time—but, dang it, you hope they’re crushing life.
Pick one person and mentally dedicate your workout to them. Maybe they don’t have the time to workout, but you can workout for them. You can give it your all in your workout as a way to send positive vibes, healing energy, and well wishes their way.
The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #2
- “Came Here for Love,” Sigala, Ella Eyre
- “Happier,” Marshmello, Bastille
- “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Lenny Kravitz
- “Mama,” Jonas Blue, William Singe
- “Rise Up,” Andra Day
- “You Make My Dreams (Come True),” Daryl Hall & John Oates
- “Don’t Let Me Down,” The Chainsmokers, Daya
- “I’ll Be There for You,” The Rembrandts
- “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses
- “Never Let You Go,” Third Eye Blind
- “Worth It,” Fifth Harmony, Kid Ink
- “I Want You,” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” Whitney Houston
- “Buy My Mom a House,” Carolina Rial
- “Me & U,” Cassie
- “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” Drake, Majid Jordan
- “Feels Like Home,” Sigala, Fuse ODG, Sean Paul, Kent Jones
- “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” Bon Jovi, Jennifer Nettles
- “Home,” Phillip Phillips
- “Got My Mind Set On You,” George Harrison
- “Together Again,” Janet Jackson
- “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Captain & Tennille
- “We are Family,” Sister Sledge
- “Family Affair,” Mary J. Blige
- “Better Together,” Jack Johnson
- “Lean on Me,” Bill Withers
- “Come Together,” The Beatles
- “We’re All In This Together,” High School Musical Cast, Disney
- “I Won’t Give Up,” Jason Mraz
- “A Thousand Miles,” Vanessa Carlton
- “You Are Not Alone,” Michael Jackson
- “She Will Be Loved,” Maroon 5
- “Cheetah Sisters,” The Cheetah Girls
- “I’ll Be Missing You,” Diddy, Faith Evans, 112
Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here:
Playlist #3: Motivational Workout Songs Inspired By Your Haters
I have some of my best workouts when I channel my anger into my exercises. We’ve all had moments where we were overlooked for a job or opportunity, ignored by someone we admire, or felt like we didn’t quite get what we deserved. Those are great moments to use for motivation when you work out.
Prompt: What past rejection or failure can you use for today’s motivation?
Here’s one of mine: at my big girl job (read: not fitness related), I used to work for a company that insisted that I did not deserve a promotion no matter how hard I worked or what my results showed. Fast forward two years, I’m now even a step above that desired promotion and leading a small team.
I love to use that initial rejection as motivation. Channeling that memory makes me work harder in my workout—and, frankly, in my life.
Find a memory that really grinds your gears and use it as motivation to push yourself harder.
The Motivational Workout Songs for Playlist #3
- “Sk8er Boi,” Avril Lavigne
- “So What,” P!nk
- “Thnks fr th Mmrs,” Fall Out Boy
- “Gives You Hell,” The All-American Rejects
- “I Hate Everything About You,” Three Days Grace
- “Here I Go Again,” Whitesnake
- “My Own Worst Enemy,” Lit
- “You Broke Up With Me,” Walker Hayes
- “Another One Bites The Dust,” Queen
- “Bye Bye Bye,” *NSYNC
- “Problem,” Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea
- “Freaks,” Timmy Trumpet, Savage
- “Love Myself,” Hailee Steinfeld
- “Attention,” Charlie Puth
- “Miss Independent,” Kelly Clarkson
- “Heartbreaker,” Pat Benatar
- “The Only Good Thing (You Ever Said Was Goodbye),” Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
- “Run-Around,” Blues Traveler
- “Leave It All Behind,” Cult to Follow
- “Don’t Cha,” The Pussycat Dolls, Busta Rhymes
- “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” Pat Benatar
- “Ain’t Your Mama,” Jennifer Lopez
- “Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
- “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson
- “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” Janet Jackson
- “Sorry Not Sorry,” Demi Lovato
- “Independence Day,” 5 Seconds of Summer
- “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift
- “Mama Said Knock You Out,” LL COOL J
- “Fighter,” Christina Aguilera
- “Bad Blood,” Taylor Swift
- “Best Days of Your Life,” Kellie Pickler
- “Forget You,” CeeLo Green
- “Survivor,” Destiny’s Child
Catch the full playlist on Spotify here, or listen here: