The 50 Best Workout Songs of the Year

By: Nicole Nichols : 12/7/2011 10:00 AM     58 comments : 408,232 Views

I'm on the lookout for fun new workout songs every single day. I love discovering them, exercising to them, and sharing them with YOU via my blog posts and Facebook page.

All year long, I've been compiling a list of my favorite exercise songs. Here, you'll find the top 50 songs that had me running, Spinning, moving and grooving the past 12 months! 

After I created my top 50, I asked members of SparkPeople.com, America's #1 weight loss and fitness website, to vote on their favorites, too. Find out which song took the top spot and whether your favorites made the list, and how you can download a brand new 60-minute cardio workout mix of the top 12 songs (as voted on by exercisers like you)!

No. 1 Workout Song of the Year:
Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 2:
Lady Gaga – Born This Way

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 3:
LMFAO – Party Rock Anthem

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 4:
Adele – Rolling In the Deep

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 5:
Black Eyed Peas – Just Can't Get Enough

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 6:
Jennifer Lopez – On the Floor

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 7:
LMFAO – Sexy And I Know It

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 8:
Lady Gaga – Edge of Glory

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 9:
Katy Perry – Last Friday Night

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 10:
Pink – Perfect

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 11:
Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

Watch it on YouTube.



No. 12:
Nicki Minaj – Super Bass

Watch it on YouTube.


 

Download SparkPeople's 132-BPM 60-minute continuous cardio remix of the 12 most popular workout songs of the year for just $7.99!



Here's the rest of the top 50, ranked in order by your votes:
   
13    Rihanna – "S&M"
14      Beyonce – "Run The World (Girls)"
15    Ke$ha – "Blow"
16    Adele – "Someone Like You"
17    Bruno Mars – "Grenade"
18    Pitbull – "Give Me Everything"
19    Katy Perry – "E.T."
20    Gym Class Heroes  ft. Adam Levine – "Stereo Hearts"
21    Britney Spears – "I Wanna Go"
22    Kelly Clarkson – "Mr. Know It All"
23    Hot Chelle Rae – "Tonight Tonight"
24    Lady Gaga – "You and I"
25    Cobra Starship – "You Make Me Feel"
26    Selena Gomez and the Scene – "Love You Like A Love Song"
27    One Republic – "The Good Life"
28    Flo Rida – "Good Feeling"
29    Enrique Iglesias – "Dirty Dancer"
30    Alexandra Stan – "Mr. Saxobeat"
31    Enrique Iglesias – "I Like How It Feels"
32    Beyonce – "Best Thing I Never Had"
33    Rihanna ft Calvin Harris – "We Found Love"
34    Kanye West ft. Rihanna – "All Of The Lights"
35    Pitbull – "Rain Over Me"
36    Coldplay – "Paradise"
37    Britney Spears – "Hold It Against Me"
38    David Guetta – "Where Them Girls At"
39    David Guetta ft Usher – "Without You"
40    Jennifer Lopez – "I'm Into You"
41    Coldplay – "Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall"
42    Nicki Minaj – "Moment 4 Life"
43    Jessie J – "Price Tag"
44    Dev – "Bass Down Low"
45    Whiz Khalifa – "Roll Up"
46    Tinie Tempah – "Written In The Stars"
47    Jason Derulo – "It Girl"
48    Coldplay ft Rihanna – "Princess Of China"
49    Demi Lovato – "Skyscraper"
50    Lupe Fiasco – "The Show Goes On"
 
Did any of your favorites make the list? What are your favorite workout songs from 2011?






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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

MKKITT
4/11/2012
9:57:07 PM

 Check out "Haunted" by Matthew C. Shuman

Someone told me about this song, I'm glad I found it because it really gets me and my exercise groups going! I downloaded it from Amazon but it looks like available on iTunes also.

Hope this helps!
58
COLLEENKELLEY
3/29/2012
9:44:29 AM

 Why pay money for this playlist when you just have to turn on the radio and be guaranteed that least three of these songs will be played immediately on the cheesiest pop station you can find?

As for using Adele for a workout - yeah, she makes me want to run. Right off the edge of the nearest cliff!
57
KRISTEN02539
2/28/2012
7:17:04 AM

 That is SO funny I have EVERY SINGLE ONE of those songs on my IPOD TOUCH under the playlist named "workout music" Great choices!
56
SAS202554
2/25/2012
11:25:47 AM

 I love Adele!!!
55
ALEXATKINS
2/9/2012
1:30:10 PM

 I listen to most of eveything on the list. I like to listen to old school music as well like Montell Jordan "This Is How We Do It" and "Let Me Clear My Throat" to get me pump
54
CDANDERS05
1/27/2012
6:20:39 PM

 Most of these did meet my faves! I teach workout classes and I LOVE Best of 2011 workout remixes...I found them on iTunes and downloaded the entire album. Excellent motivation!
53
MUSTANGSARAH
1/27/2012
11:29:04 AM

 My absolute FAVORITE work out albums are from Girl Talk. Girl Talk remixes songs together so the whole album sounds like one long, energetic, song. It's free to download from Girl Talk's website at illegal art. Feed the Animals and All Day are amazing albums. Everyone should give her a listen.
52
HEALTHY51283
1/25/2012
11:20:52 AM

 I've been doing Zumba and they use a lot of these songs which is great becauase then I'm singing songs I enjoy and working out, great list thanks for posting!
51
RASHEDAPOE
1/20/2012
1:13:53 PM

 A lot of these songs are on my MP3 player, but I also like some older stuff, like Gorillaz - Dare, Trey Song - Bottoms Up & Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
50
EVWINGS
1/19/2012
11:23:22 AM

 Wonderful choices. There are some I don't know but plan on getting to.
49
LEANDRAHIME
1/16/2012
12:19:02 AM

 While there are several really good songs on here, like LMFAO and Nicki Minaj, There are a lot of songs on this list that I cannot fathom how they are good for workouts.
48
SBNORMAL
1/7/2012
7:04:31 PM

 This list sounds good. I plan to download these when I get my new phone.
47
SARHOD99
1/3/2012
9:31:43 AM

 Great songs on this list! Can't wait to download it!
46
KCAMILLES
12/24/2011
6:09:13 PM

 Moves Like Jagger is one of the songs I listen too in the first 15 minutes to really get my cardio workouts pumping!!!
45
JERSEYGIRL318
12/24/2011
6:56:58 AM

 I recognize most of these songs from the playlist at the boot camp I attend.
44
CMWIN100
12/19/2011
6:01:25 AM

 Great songs, super selection! Moves like Jagger a favorite.
43
FINFIN2
12/18/2011
11:15:29 AM

 I haven't heard a single one of them! LOL
42
OKCPAM
12/16/2011
8:59:42 AM

 My Fave workout music is anything by Hot Chelle Rae. "Tonight Tonight" "I Like to Dance" "I Like it Like That" I picked one bands music to work out to. That way, any time I put their CD's on I immediately get in the exercise mind-set. It works for me, I've lost 120 pounds with the help of their music.
41
HAYMATEE
12/14/2011
8:11:58 PM

 danza kuduro by Don Omar is my favourite workout song!
40
MAXRUTHVEN
12/14/2011
5:51:58 PM

 Dynamite by Taio! My Get-Up-and Go song!
39
JULIESJOURNEY71
12/14/2011
9:55:06 AM

 Love Moves Like Jagger. It makes me WANT to move everytime I hear it!
38
STEELDIVA
12/13/2011
8:14:12 PM

 Great choices!!!
37
LJR4HEALTH
12/13/2011
4:35:23 PM

 Great list coach Nicole love them Some we use at zumba class
36
NAIMATANNER
12/13/2011
12:19:16 PM

 These are great songs! I LOVE listening to hip hop rap music during my workout...Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, Drake, Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean are missing from that list. I would also add some Janet Jackson, Madonna, and definitely Prince!
35
FUNGRANDMA
12/13/2011
11:18:36 AM

 Doesn't it bother anyone else that Foster the People's hit Pumped Up Kicks is about shooting kids?
34
MEREDITH927
12/13/2011
9:48:45 AM

 I really like a lot of these. I just do not get the deal with Pumped up Kicks. It's slow and boring and sounds like it's from the 50's. I can't imagine doing anything to that but cooling down. And Adele? Sure, she is nice to listen to, but I can't imagine doing any kind of workout to those songs. I agree with others about the genre. Of course it makes sense most of these are pop, as they probably should be, but there are great rock and country and metal songs to work out to also! Overall a pretty good list though.
33
ERINEC11
12/13/2011
9:40:29 AM

 Ummm, Adelle? Someone like you?? Really? To work out? Maybe if I want to slide off the treadmill, curl into the fetal position and burn calories by sobbing... Ok, I'm exaggerating a little. But, it is a pretty slow song to workout to. Actually, I pretty much agree with all of AERNEST825's comments. Although, they did have Pumped up Kicks, which is swayed to the "alternative" genre.
32
TJKITTY1
12/13/2011
9:22:04 AM

 What a great list for 2011. I will definately look at downloading the ones I don't have, except for a couple I don't like. I would be great to do top 20's of different decades for a lot of people that just aren't into now pop.
31
ASTALANYA
12/13/2011
9:03:16 AM

 Don't much like the list; LMFAO bores me to tears. I love Adele, though "Rolling in the Deep" is much bouncier than the slow beat of "Someone Like You." It would be nice to see dance, techno, electronic, and livelier music there too. I second Metric; they're fantastic to get moving.
30
MORETA63
12/13/2011
8:45:18 AM

 I guess I'm an old fogey. While I recognize all but about half a dozen of the"artists", there are only two that I'd willing listen to; Kelly Clarkson and Enrique Iglasias, and neither are in the top twelve. Like some others, what's wrong with pulling in songs from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and yes even disco? I'd even like to see some swing from the 40's.
29
AACASTIELLO
12/13/2011
8:42:23 AM

 Marry the night- lady gaga
28
MJDELANCEY
12/13/2011
8:35:49 AM

 There are no songs from the 80's because these are the best workout songs "OF THE YEAR" meaning 2011
27
MASAYAMM
12/13/2011
7:35:28 AM

 I always hit my highest heart rate for my elliptical workouts during MOVES LIKE JAGGER and SEXY AND I KNOW IT! Seeing this list brings back memories of when I first started working out in the first part of 2011... This list is full and thorough =)
26
GREGSMCDONALD
12/13/2011
6:28:26 AM

 Never heard of any of this crap. Can somebody list the top 50 workout songs from the 80's?
25
MRSHOLBY
12/11/2011
10:09:42 PM

 why are all of these pop?? where's the punk and rock-n-roll?? It's the beat that gets me going on the elliptical or treadmill. Green Day, U2, the Romantics, Rancid, Vampire Weekend, the Ramones.
24
TINCEY2001
12/11/2011
8:39:07 AM

 Great talking point. I would expect there to be mainly pop on the list as that's what most people hear all the time. Anyone started a rockers list? I would definitely have to have some Ian Dury on it, 'Reasons to be Cheerful' spings to mind. I also listen to some Alice Cooper. I'm more a classic rockfan than metal alone, though my daughter throws some good stuff my way. Also love vintage rock and roll and Buddy Holly is an all time fave of mine. I like to vary the tempo to allow for 'rests' between pushes as I am getting on a bit and have fibromyalgia.
@popeyetheturtle - your comments gave me a giggle.
23
RENEETC1
12/10/2011
8:54:33 AM

 I don't know any of these songs. I prefer to stick to my playlists, which are oldies (60s, 70s) and Christian recordings.
22
PATTIPOSSIBLE
12/9/2011
6:34:41 PM

 I love most of these
21
MSDRPEPPER
12/8/2011
7:40:04 PM

 hmmm I'm realllly old, I guess... turning into a prude... looked up some of these on youtube (the lyrics version) and I have to say many are not inspirational at all. They might have the right beat for the speed I need to go at... but... eh... guess I am going to be looking for the "Old Lady" Playlist...
20
JACFRANK
12/8/2011
1:03:59 PM

 Wow, my musical taste is way different. I totally agree with Lady Gaga though! Otherwise, I'm a big metalhead. Popeyetheturtle, I listen to Hammerfall pretty frequently but never thought to listen to them for workouts! I'll give it a try!

My workout music consists of Metallica, Ensiferum (from Finland), Amon Amarth, Gojira, Megadeth, etc. Metal gets me going the most!
19
ALKALINELAKES
12/8/2011
11:31:56 AM

 all of my favorites made the list!!!
18
WEEDLADY
12/8/2011
9:44:43 AM

 Adele, I really like Adele.
Martha
17
ALETARENNEE
12/8/2011
9:26:05 AM

 Great list of songs, I sit at a desk all day but when I hear the songs on this list I bounce around in my seat…
My favorite would be “Pumped Up Kicks”
16
PHEBESS
12/8/2011
4:36:09 AM

 I wanna look like Adam Levine!!!!!!
15
POPEYETHETURTLE
12/7/2011
8:51:39 PM

 I just found a group of heavy rock/metal that surprised me - I don't usually do metal or contemporary rock (I'm so old - there weren't even sandy beaches when I was born, just big rocks).

The name of the group is Hammerfall and here is a link - but you'll have to copy it and put it straight in to your browser:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9k_HUq1Kd4

I've been using this as a warm-up for walking and stationary bike riding.
14
CRACKERJACK2825
12/7/2011
2:49:41 PM

 I agree with most of these songs, especially Moves like Jagger!! :) Maroon 5 is so awesome.
13
CRACKERJACK2825
12/7/2011
2:49:30 PM

 I agree with most of these songs, especially Moves like Jagger!! :) Maroon 5 is so awesome.
12
MELLYBEANS0919
12/7/2011
2:31:55 PM

 Lots of my favorites made the list!
11
SHIRAK69
12/7/2011
1:53:42 PM

 most of these songs aren't my cup of tea, but there are a few good ones on there. I really like Lady GaGa. I mostly listen to punk rock, heavy metal, disco and Buddy Holly-esque type stuff.

I can see where these would be good workout songs, and might try a few of them

thanks for the list
10
SOUR_KRAUT
12/7/2011
1:16:19 PM

 Well, "POP" is short for popular...
9

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