15 Best Songs To Add To Your 2018 Workout Playlist
Get your fitness on!
It's that time of year again! 2018 is fast approaching, my friends, and if you are anything like me, then your New Year’s resolution focus on something related to getting fit and looking like a million bucks.
Okay, I know that “exercising” is super vague and a very typical New Year’s resolution, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stick with it!
In fact, I have a feeling that 2018 is going to be a year of important things and big changes, so surprises are not going to be as unusual as you think.
Plus, getting fit doesn’t necessarily mean looking good in a bathing suit anymore. I mean, by all means, work for that "bikini bod". But it doesn’t have to be your only motivation for wanting to sweat it out at the gym.
My motivation for wanting to get in shape next year is to feel better about myself — inside and out. I have already started on the inner exercise like working out my mind so 2018 is going to be my year to work on some exercise for my body.
But, I feel I have an obligation to say this, I am terrible with keeping my motivation up. Just awful.
And I suck at keeping up with exercising somewhat regularly.
I just find it boring sometimes to walk in place for an hour which is why I recommend taking advantage of the fresh air and getting some exercise outside where there’s actually a good view.
But that’s beside the point. My point is, if you don’t have a good playlist to get you motivated to work out, you may have a harder time pushing yourself and keeping yourself pumped.
And if you’ve ever tried an online music streaming app, then you know that there’s only so many songs that can fit your workout mood before you have to skip, like, 20 songs in a row.
And yes, I have tried to make my own playlist before, but I just have way too many songs to go through that it just doesn’t seem worth it to put in the extra effort.
But now, with all of these new artists breaking out and well-known artists creating amazing new music, how can you not want to make an awesome music playlist specifically for working out, right?!
I mean, I understand a lot of people were upset when One Direction broke up, but you can’t deny that they’ve ALL come out with catchy, fun songs on their own.
And I guarantee that if you have a good workout playlist, you can boost your motivation like crazy and kick some serious butt at the gym (or at home).
And to prove I know exactly what I’m talking about, here are the best songs to work out to in 2018. You can thank me later.
1. "Cheap Thrills" by Sia
I don’t know about you, but this song always makes me want to get up and shake my butt. So, naturally, this should be one of your top picks for a work out playlist.
The lyrics are catchy and repetitive enough that you can change your workout to match Sia’s riffs, and the beat is bubbly enough to keep you moving. Warm up to this song as you get your heart rate up.
2. "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars
I don’t care what anyone else says, Bruno Mars is an artist that will consistently keep you wanting to dance, move, and sweat.
In fact, you could probably get a pretty good workout just by dancing to this song and there’s no way you couldn’t dance to this song when it comes on (trust me, I’ve tried).
The dance-y beat will keep your heart rate up and if this song doesn’t make you want to push yourself, then nothing will.
3. "Work from Home" by Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Fifth Harmony always delivers when it comes to catchy songs with fun lyrics, but this song takes the cake – especially when you’re trying to get motivated to work out.
In addition to the good beat that will keep you ready to conquer even the hardest workout in the gym (or at home), the fact that the 5H ladies keep telling me to "work, work, work” is enough to keep me sweating, how about you?
4. "New Rules" by Dua Lipa
Since Dua Lipa’s song is now the anthem for all women everywhere for 2018, it should also be a song on your perfect workout playlist, in my opinion.
I like to think of all the workouts I could use this song for, and anything that switches from low-impact to high-impact, like cycle or sprints is perfectly accompanied by this song.
Plus, no one wants to let down Dua Lipa, right? So pick up the pace!
5. "Hey Mama" by David Guetta featuring Nicki Minaj, Bebe Rexha, and Afrojack
Every time I hear Nicki Minaj, it makes me want to both dance and sweat my butt off, so why not do both and add it to your workout playlist?
David Guetta’s beats and Nicki’s rhythm works perfectly together to create a song that’ll keep you motivated, whether you’re working out in the gym or flexing your muscles at home.
If this type of song is always on your playlist, check out other songs that David Guetta has done.
6. "No Limit" by G-Easy featuring A$AP Rocky, Cardi B, French Montana, Juicy J, and Belly
Every workout playlist needs some hip-hop songs and this one by G-Easy is the perfect one. Play this song during your workout when you’re ready to dig deep and do some serious reps.
The beat will keep you focused and you will definitely feel the burn if you keep the hardest part of your workout going throughout the whole song.
7. "Fight Night" by Migos
Not only is this song a banger (thank you, Migos), but it also has a good steady beat that will help you keep up with your trainer (or your reps) while working out.
In all honesty, any Migos song is good for the gym, but this one, in particular, is great because it’ll keep you hyped to finish your workout strong, even when you’re already drenched in sweat.
8. "Champions" by Kanye West
Everyone secretly wants to be as a bad ass as Kanye West, and listening to one of his songs (literally any of them) when working out makes me feel more like a bad ass because I’ll never be Kanye.
And if that’s not enough motivation to kill it at the gym, then this song in particular will. Why? Because the beat is good and it’ll make you feel like a champion when your workout is done.
9. "How Long" by Charlie Puth
Yet another song that makes me want to shake my booty instead of actually working out, this song serves a dual purpose.
Whether you’re going for the treadmill at the gym or dancing when you’re home alone, this song is certain to make you sweat.
I know, I know, Charlie Puth is only one person, but this song of his definitely reminds me of someone a 90’s boy band would sing – and we all know how fun they are to work out to.
10. "What Lovers Do" by Maroon 5 featuring SZA
Maroon 5 always delivers when it comes to good songs and while this one, in particular, is a little more mellow than some of the other hardcore songs you can work out to, it’s perfect for when it’s time to switch up your routine.
Going from the elliptical to weights? Or cycling to rowing? This is the song for you. The beat is pretty dance-y and will keep you energized for the second half of your workout.
11. "Sorry Not Sorry" by Demi Lovato
If Demi Lovato herself isn’t enough inspiration to kick some serious ass at the gym, this song should be.
So, take a note from her and show everyone just how savage you can be when you’re in beast mode during your workout.
Put this song on when you are ready to take your reps up a notch and really push yourself. You got this (even Demi thinks so)!
12. Strip That Down by Liam Payne featuring Quavo
This song is another kinda mellow one, but it’s so good (hello, it’s Liam Payne) that you really do need it on your workout playlist.
It’s the perfect song when it’s time to warm up to get you pumped or to cool down to get that heart rate down.
Try to keep your pace with the beat when on a machine at the gym and it’ll motivate you to take it to the finish line.
13. "Mi Gente" by J Balvin and Willy William featuring Beyoncé
Not only is this song perfect for when you want your workouts to be a little more upbeat and fun than usual, but the beat is perfect when you need to keep a steady pace or count reps.
Plus, who else is motivated just by listening to a song with Beyoncé in it besides me? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Let her be your motivation to kick butt if nothing else.
14. "Starboy" by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
The Weeknd’s songs are usually more sexy and sultry than motivational enough for the gym, but this song is a little different… mainly because Daft Punk is in it, too.
In my humble opinion, Daft Punk is one of the best when it comes to getting pumped for a workout and with the help of The Weeknd, this song will make you want to go the extra mile. And if you’re feeling the vibe of this song, check out other Daft Punk tunes.
15. "Bodak Yellow" by Cardi B
Cardi B herself is inspiration enough — I mean, who else is as much of a BAMF as her, right? And while the beat isn’t as fast as other songs, it’s perfect for a workout playlist because you can time it to be your stretching song after the cool down.
Of course, you can listen to it at any point during your workout, but if you’re looking for something to slow your heart rate down to, this is a good choice.
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes. She plans on writing a book in the future.