The 20 most popular songs to get sweaty to.

By KAHLA PRESTON

It is a truth universally acknowledged (in fitness circles, anyway) that a playlist can make or break a work out.

When your calves are on fire, your face is dripping and your heart feels like it might launch itself out of your chest, it really helps to have Jessica Mauboy/Dizzee Rascal/Daft Punk pushing you on with their thumping rhythms and go-get-em lyrics. Even when the vocals are nonsensical, a constant beat can really help you ignore the outside world and get right in the zone (although if you’re jogging in urban areas, it’s probably best to ditch the earphones for safety’s sake, okay?).

So how exactly do you create the ultimate workout playlist? If you’re a bit stuck, it helps to know what other fitness-lovers listen to for motivation – if it works for them, it’ll most likely do the same for you.

We were curious, so we asked the team at Spotify Australia to compile a playlist of the most popular workout songs across the country right now. Some of the top 20 surprised us, others not so much.

Here they are – now go get sweaty.

And FYI, music’s ability to enhance exercise isn’t just anecdotal; one of the world’s top experts on the subject, Dr Costas Karageorghis, has even gone so far as to describe music as “a type of legal performance enhancing drug”. It’s not hard to see why – research has found briskly-paced tunes inspire people to work out at an equally quick pace without even realising it, and that listening to music can distract people from fatigue and pain and increase their endurance and motivation.

Certain genres of music have also been found to work better for specific types of exercise. According to a study published earlier this year, urban/rap music is best for running and jogging, pop music is best suited to warm-ups and cool-downs, and dance music complements weight training.

This piece originally appeared on The Glow, and is republished here with full permission. 

What are your favourite workout songs? Share them in the comments!