Listening to music can make any workout feel easier and more enjoyable (science even says so!). And if your favorite song has a heavy beat, all the better: A Social Psychological and Personality Science study found that amped up bass is particularly good at making exercisers feel more powerful and confident—which might be just what you need to push through those ‘wanna quit’ moments.
We polled 10 trainers for the tracks that help them dig deep when it really counts. Consider this your new pump-up playlist.
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“Set Yourself Free,” Tiësto
“There’s something about electronic dance music that breathes life and energy into me. The music is also super positive and upbeat, which I find more motivating and not as overstimulating as other genres. Plus, I can break out in dance in between sets as my ‘active recovery.’”
—Erica Suter, M.S., C.S.C.S., a Maryland-based trainer and strength coach
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“Blue Orchid,” The White Stripes
“I churn out extra reps every time I play it.”
—Sam Simpson, C.S.C.S., C.P.T., co-owner and vice president of B-Fit Training Studio in Miami
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“Latch” (Lost Kings Remix), Disclosure ft. Sam Smith
“It helps me dig a little deeper when training capoeira and HIIT. The energy builds throughout the entire song to keep your fist pumping and head bobbing!”
—Brett Hoebel, trainer on NBC’s The Biggest Loser season 11 and creator of the ‘20 Minute Body’ workout
Related: Find performance supplements to pair with your workout jams.
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“Party Up (Up In Here),” DMX
No matter my mood, the 90s classic pumps me up and gets me ready to kick some serious butt in the gym. It keeps me motivated and revs me up and enables me to find my edge and really push beyond.”
—Lisa Niren, C.P.T, trainer at CITYROW and CYCLEBAR
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“Get Ur Freak On,” Missy Elliott
“It makes me want to smash all the weights.”
—Amy Dix, C.P.T., online strength and nutrition coach
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“Owe Me,” Big Sean
“This song is my jam. It has a slower tempo but it’s the perfect power song for a sweaty ab sesh or some bootie work!”
—Taylor Gainor, C.S.C.S., co-founder of LIT Method in Los Angeles
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“Hype,” Dizzee Rascal and Calvin Harris
“We play this jam during our toughest classes, the lyrics always help us dig deep and get after it every time. ‘I’m so legit / I do not slip, I just stick to the script / Fully equipped, there is no stopping me / I do not quit, I do not kip / Ready for action, I got to be physically fit / Sit ups and burpees and dips…’”
—Bonnie Micheli, co-founder of Shred415
Related: Workout anywhere with these training accessories.
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“Get Right,” Jennifer Lopez
“It really gets me in the mood to push through a really brutal workout. The beat is infectious and I can literally put on my iPod and listen to it five or six times in a row.”
—Dre Nichols-Everett, C.P.T., CEO of D3: Dre’s Diesel Dome Fitness in Chicago
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“Delirious (Boneless),” Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, and Tujamo ft. Kid Ink
“The beat is RIDICULOUS! I actually don’t know the lyrics LOL…but the beat is just so hard! It’s like the ultimate song to work out and rage to.”
—Mike Donavanik, C.S.C.S., C.P.T., LA-based personal and online trainer
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“Bikini Body,” Dawin ft. R City
“I literally can’t not dance when I hear this song. It really keeps me motivated. But more than that, I love the message. It reminds me that we all need to embrace our bodies exactly how we are in a given moment. If you have a body that can move and lift, you should be incredibly grateful to be able to work it out!”
—Hannah Davis, C.S.C.S., trainer and founder of Operation Bikini Body training program
Save this handy infographic to make sure these jams end up on your workout playlist: