Music is the perfect ally for those who train, but what is the best music for running or, in general, workout songs that can positively influence performance (or even just our motivation)? Are there workout songs that can enhance performance?
Well, Gensan, a historic company in Pisa specializing in sports supplements, conducted a study to identify the ideal workout music scientifically.
How is Music for Running or Working Out Recognized?
The analysis started with the collection of 22 workout playlists, selected among the most popular on Spotify, in Italy and internationally, totaling 1,132 examined songs.
Using the Spotify API, the 13 audio features of all 1,132 songs were mapped. To identify the ideal song model, data from all songs were aggregated, and scores were calculated, taking into account the following characteristics:
1. Danceability: how suitable a song is for dancing.
2. Emotional load: the positivity transmitted by a song.
3. Intensity: the measure of intensity and activity in the music.
4. Spoken content index: detection of the presence of spoken words in a song.
5. Audience sounds: detection of the presence of an audience in the track.
6. Acoustic: the measure of how acoustic or non-electronic a song is.
By analyzing audio profiles, standardizing values, and calculating averages, it was scientifically outlined what is needed for a song to be perfectly suitable for training. Here is the complete methodology.
How Should the Perfect Workout Music Be?
The perfect workout song requires high energy and suitability for dancing, with a strong and steady rhythm. Shouldn’t music for running still set the pace?
The perfect melody for training is oriented towards the joyful and positive side of the scale. This suggests that studio-recorded songs are more suitable for training than, for example, a live concert recording.
Finally, the typical characteristics of a workout track reveal that the perfect song will hardly be acoustic, with a low score around 10 in this category.
Based on the scientifically identified “perfect song” model, Gensan has also compiled the ideal playlist for running or facing the most challenging exercises in the gym.
The playlist, containing the top 25 songs out of the 1,132 analyzed, is developed following a precise order to adapt to a typical training session. It starts with songs perfect for warming up, then moves on to ideal melodies for intense training and concludes with a couple of “relaxing” tracks for the cool-down phase.
To view the results, the radar chart of the ideal workout song was overlaid with those of the top 25 songs most similar to the ideal profile.
In the chart above, you can observe how the 25 songs position themselves in comparison to the ideal workout melody.
The Top 5 Best (mostly) Italian Workout Songs
1. “Veleno 6” – MadMan, feat. Gemitaiz
“Veleno 6” by MadMan, feat. Gemitaiz, is a high-energy Italian rap song characterized by intense rhythms and powerful lyrics, creating a dynamic and motivating atmosphere for training. “Veleno 6” scores remarkably in terms of energy, reaching 80 points and ranking fifth among the top 25 songs. The track also stands out for its high danceability, achieving the fourth-highest score. In short, if you’re looking for good music for running, don’t forget to include it in your playlist.
2. “Morto Mai” by Lazza
The fast flow and aggressive tone in “Morto Mai” by Lazza contribute to increasing adrenaline. It is a perfect ally for tackling the most challenging exercises. “Morto Mai” achieves the highest score for energy with 75 points, slightly higher than the average for the ideal workout song, which is 70 points. Danceability and positivity also come very close – in terms of score – to those of the ideal song.
3. “Sensibile all’estate” – Jovanotti, Sixpm
“Sensibile all’estate” by Jovanotti and Sixpm combines a catchy rhythm with uplifting vibes, creating the ideal backdrop for cardio or strength workouts. With high danceability and energy, both at 68 points, “Sensibile all’estate” is a decisive choice for a good workout song.
4. “Ciao Ciao” – La Rappresentante di Lista
“Ciao Ciao” by La Rappresentante di Lista is a lively and cheerful song with contagious energy that offers a boost of positivity and motivation during a running session. With a danceability score of 71, the fifth-highest, there’s no doubt that “Ciao Ciao” has a good rhythm. Both ‘danceability’ and positivity receive high scores, both with more than 10 points higher than the ideal model.
5. “Till The World Ends (the Femme Fatale Remix)” – Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Kesha, Dr. Luke, Dream Machine
“Till The World Ends (the Femme Fatale Remix)” by Britney Spears, Nicki Minaj, Kesha, Dr. Luke, Dream Machine is a high-paced remix that blends pop and rap elements. The blend creates an electrifying atmosphere that enhances the entire workout experience. The energetic melody has a score of 73, slightly higher than the ideal model (70). The ‘Speechiness’ score is significantly lower than that of the ideal song, with only 9 points, suggesting that the melody includes a lot of music and other features not similar to spoken words.
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