The Best Running Playlists for Motivation

If you're anything like me, a good running playlist isn't just a nice-to-have - it's a necessity.

When I ran my most recent half marathon, I streamed Beyonce's "HOMECOMING: THE LIVE ALBUM" from start to finish. From the driving hi-hat of "Deja Vu," to the timely lyrics of "Lose My Breath" (could I keep up??), the tracklist supplied a solid two hours of energy and entertainment.

Why Trust Us?

ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts, including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure that the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature highly rated products.

Your running playlist can be the exact boost you need to turn a blah run into a good one, or a good run into a PR. Research even suggests that music can boost running performance by up to 15 percent — the difference between a 24-minute 5K and going sub-21:00.

If you're stuck in a musical rut and can't find something worth streaming, or are just looking for ways to mix up your usual running tunes, here are a few starting points to help inspire your best running playlist - all designed to keep you motivated through every mile.

The playlists are broken up into three 'themes': motivational beats, motivational lyrics, and motivational vibes.

Motivational Beats

Beyond just providing a little mid-run entertainment, the music you listen to while you run can actually help influence your pacing. It's all about the name of rhythm - and that's where BPM comes into play.

What Is BPM?

BPM stands for 'beats per minute.' You may recognize it from heart rate measurements, as it's used to measure your pulse rate. It's also used in music to measure a song's tempo!

Without getting too deep into music theory, you can think of BPM like the rhythm you'd tap your foot along to. The BPM of a song like "Free Bird" would be a far cry from the BPM of "My Heart Will Go On."

The higher a song's BPM, the faster its beat will move - and vice versa - which can help keep you moving at a similar clip. For a deeper look at how to use BPM to perfect your running cadence with music, it's worth the read.

If you're looking for beats that'll help drive your pace, give this playlist a try.

Motivational Beats Playlist

• "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" - Quad City DJs | 136 BPM | A steady beat for your warm-up.
• "Ocean Avenue" - Yellowcard | 173 BPM | The chorus is practically built for sprints.
• "Hot to Go" - Chappell Roan | 140 BPM | A nice mid-range beat for tempo runs.
• "Run Around" - Blues Traveler | 152 BPM | Perfect for pace-setting - and for harmonica lovers.
• "Golden" - HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast | 123 BPM | Great for a recovery run, or a jog with the kiddos.

Motivational Lyrics

When the hills get high, and the energy dips low, sometimes it helps to have a voice in your ear saying, "You can do this!"

If your running buddy isn't available to be that voice for you, or if you just prefer running solo, let the lyrics do the talking and give this playlist a try.

Your running playlist can be the exact boost you need to turn a blah run into a good one, or a good run into a PR.

Motivational Lyrics Playlist

• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell | 129 BPM | Hitting an incline? Turn this one up.
• "Pump It" (Explicit) - Black Eyed Peas | 154 BPM | The musical fuel you need to pump it!
• "I'm Still Standing" - Elton John | 177 BPM | When you need to pick up the pace, leave it to Elton.
• "Don't Lose Sight" (Explicit) - Lawrence | 154 BPM | Perfect for when you feel your energy start to wane.
• "Letting Go" - Angie McMahon | 170 BPM | An uplifting message and an uplifting beat!

Motivational Vibes

If you're not too focused on matching the speed of your songs to the speed of your run, and you aren't feeling too particular about a singer's lyrical direction, then you may be better off choosing your playlist based on... Vibes! In other words, just select a playlist that matches your energy.

Feeling sassy? There's a pop diva out there, ready to hype you up.

Feeling angsty? Channel it! Why not go for some rock'n'roll?

Feeling light and airy? Running tunes don't have to be all heavy bass and loud guitar. There's something out there for everyone!

Try this playlist when you want something that matches the vibe AND brings the motivation. For even more song ideas, check out the top 50 songs to add to your workout playlist.

Motivational Vibes Playlist

• "Thnks fr the Mmrs" - Fall Out Boy | 155 BPM | For those days when you're finally running after that too-long meeting.
• "I'm Gonna Getcha Good" - Shania Twain | 123 BPM | A great warm-up track for when you feel like singing along.
• "Genesis" - Grimes | 166 BPM | For when you just need something... Different. Wait for the beat to drop around the 1-minute mark.
• "The Great Divide" (Explicit) - Noah Kahan | 161 BPM | For those days when you need to feel like you're running through a field.
• ":)" - The Japanese House | 151 BPM | For when you've got some extra spring in your step.

Whether you stream these playlists, a combination, or build one of your own, there are infinite ways to mix up your running tunes - and to use your music as motivation! For more on how music can impact your running, see what the research has to say.