Best music for running – what to choose to make training more effective and enjoyable? 

Do you like listening to music? I am convinced that the answer is YES. Do you enjoy listening to it during your running training? If yes, then you need to choose the right songs so that you can enjoy running and, most importantly, focus on your workout. 

Choosing the right running playlist is very important. Why? You’re about to find out. I will also show you what is the best music for running and what equipment will be best for a runner who loves music. 

Best music for running – what to choose? 

I need to be clear that if you want to train running, along with music, you need to choose it wisely. What does that mean wisely? It means that you need to choose your favorite songs that will accompany you during your workout. Create a playlist and listen to it before you hit the road. 

It’s not a good choice during a workout to pick the first playlist that Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music suggests to you. You never know what songs are on it. 

“Is bad music such a big problem? A song lasts 3-4 minutes. I can stand that much”

It’s good that you think so. However, during a workout (especially when you’re just starting), those few minutes can last longer than you think. Not good music can disrupt your running rhythm and make that stretch hard to run. 

It’s best to compose your playlist with your favorite songs that won’t disrupt your run. The music will make the time fly faster and you will forget about fatigue and focus on the rhythm. Who knows, you might even start singing the lyrics of the song a little under your breath 😉 A good mood is a must during training! 

Popular songs that will appeal to many runners 

Some songs are perfect for running. Which ones? Those that are on top, or have been reigning on the radio and in the charts for years. Here are some examples: 

Old hits that everybody listens to:

• Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
• Bon Jovi – It’s My Life
• AC/DC – Highway to Hell 
• Carry on My Wayward Son – Kansas
• Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen 
• Billie Jean – Michael Jackson 
• Smooth Criminal – Michael Jackson 
• Lay All Your Love on Me – ABBA 
• Bye Bye Bye – NSYNC

Contemporary hits that can’t be missing from your running playlist:

• I Ain’t Worried – OneRepublic 
• Believer – Imagine Dragons 
• Levitating – Dua Lipa 
• RUN – BTS 
• No Control – One Direction 
• Fireworks – Katy Perry
• Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake 
• DOMINO – Stary Kids
• Bad Habits – Ed Sheeran 

Good songs for running – how to compose a good playlist? 

The most important is the BPM (beats per minute). BPM determines the number of regular beats per minute. This allows you to maintain your ideal running pace. As it turns out, the best pace for running is 120-150* beats per minute. 

How do we know this number is the best? From a 2009 study by Costa Karageorghis. As he determined in his research, such tempo stimulates brain function, motivates further training, and modulates our mood. Songs with slightly lower beats per minute will be ideal for a warm-up or post-run stretching. 

Therefore, if you want to create the perfect playlist choose songs with this tempo. Then you’re sure to finish your workout without any problems and with a smile on your lips. You won’t even notice how quickly the training period has passed.

Curiosity: As it turns out, 120 BPM is also considered the ideal song tempo. It is songs at this rate of beats per minute that most often become memorable, global hits (Bad Romance – Lady Gaga, Rumor Has It – Adele, Cake by the Ocean – DNCE). 

* This is just the average pace that seems best for running. You can always choose songs that have even faster BPM and motivate yourself even more 😉

How to find the BPM of a song? 

You don’t have to know it yourself, because you can find the answer all on the Internet. By typing “BPM music finder” into your browser, you’re sure to find many sites where you can find your favorite songs and their beats per minute. This will allow you to create the perfect compilation. 

This way you don’t have to think long and add a song to your “running” playlist.

The song you are looking for is not in the website’s database? Find BPM Song Analyser to help you determine the beats-per-minute of a song. 

Running playlist and BPM vs Interval running

Interval running is very popular. In this case, the pace of running changes a lot. How do you reconcile this with music? After all, it’s what propels and pushes you to run further, even when tired. 

In this case, it’s best to arrange your playlist the way you want to do your workout. 3 minutes of really fast running (around 160 BPM or even higher), then 6 minutes of slow jogging (around 120 BPM). Set the songs in an order that matches your running pace, and you’re sure the entire workout will be effective, and you won’t be distracted and will focus on running at the right pace. 

Does music help us run better? 

A study of 15 well-trained long-distance runners may answer this question. They were divided into 3 groups: one did not listen to music while running, another listened to slow motivating songs, and the third listened to fast songs. What was the result of this experiment? The 5 K distance was run by those who listened to music. What’s more, the study found that music improves performance and even speeds up recovery after training. WOW! See how good music for running can change everything! 

Good running music – what genre? 

There is no correct answer – just put on the genre you like. Choose songs with a fast rhythm that will make you feel like running a long distance. It’s best to choose songs with motivational lyrics. Then you will be ready for all difficulties and push forward. 

Therefore, it is important to choose the right playlist and songs. You can’t even imagine how an inappropriate song or its genre can knock you out of your running rhythm. 

What should be good music for running? 

Don’t even look at slow ballads and sad songs that make you sad. This is not a good choice for running time. Opt for positive, energetic songs that will give you a boost.

It’s best to bet on energetic music that evokes positive emotions in you. Maybe some songs you associate with vacations, trips, and friends? A playlist with such songs is sure to be chosen often while running. 

Choose songs that he already knows and knows he likes. Training is not a good time to test new hits.

You can also focus not only on the music but also on the lyrics. Who doesn’t love motivating song lyrics that will give you the motivation to complete your entire workout? And what’s more, if they are songs by your favorite band, it’s a powerful combo!

What apps to listen to music from while running?

There are a lot of choices. The most popular app is Spotify. Not surprisingly. It’s practical and transparent and you’ll find plenty of playlists that are ready to use. Whether you run at a very fast pace or just go for a jog, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. For a runner, the best option will be to buy Spotify Premium. This way ads won’t knock you out of your rhythm and if you hit an inappropriate song or one you don’t want to listen to you can skip it. 

Another option is Apple Music for iPhone users. This is also a popular app that will let you listen to your favorite music everywhere. Here you will also find many playlists that will encourage you to keep running. 

The Tidal app for listening to music is very similar to Spotify. Therefore, if you are looking for an alternative, this app will be perfect. Create your playlist, or use those created by other users. 

What else? 

Recently, Youtube Music and Amazon Music Unlimited have also become popular. Which app you choose is entirely up to you. 

Running playlist – Is it worth choosing a playlist from the app? 

Of course, it is. Many playlists are sure to appeal to you, but first some tips. 

How to find one? Very simply! Just type “running” into the app’s search box and you’ll be presented with a veritable plethora of playlists created by the app, as well as other users. 

Which one to choose? The one that suits you best. Before running, review the playlists – what songs they have – so you don’t have to skip songs now and then. You may also find that they are too slow or too fast for your running pace. 

What kind of music should be on the playlist? 

• energetic and fast, 
• songs that are to your taste,
• with motivating lyrics, 
• with an expressive melodic line. 

If you have a hard time finding one that has songs to your musical taste, it’s best to create your own. Then all the songs will surely be a perfect match for you. 

Music to run to – how to listen to music comfortably? 

If you’ve already chosen the right app for listening to music, now it’s time for headphones. You certainly don’t want everyone who passes by you to hear what you’re listening to. Therefore, it is best to choose good headphones. 

• Wireless headphones – they are convenient because they do not have a cable and will not get caught on anything. Choose ones that won’t fall out of your ear. One of the worst things is to lose one of the headphones. 
• Bone conduction headphones – headphones that you don’t put in your ear to hear music. You will be aware of your surroundings and they will not fall out of your ear. The only downside is that if you run close to a busy street, the noise will most likely interfere with your music. 

What else is useful for a runner to comfortably listen to music? 

• Smartwatch – by connecting to your phone via Bluetooth, you will be able to change the music without taking your phone out of your pocket. 
• Shoulder phone case – this will give you somewhere to put your phone. You won’t have to worry that your smartphone will fall out of your pocket. It’s certainly a better option than holding it in your hand throughout your workout. 

It’s important to choose good running music. This allows you to run with more pleasure and even comfort. It often happens that you forget about the slight pain in your legs during a long run, because you are propelled by the pace of the music playing in your headphones. That’s why choosing the right songs is so important. Compose your playlist, or choose one of the many music-listening apps.