Top 10 Workout Songs

Every January we look back at the last year and regret not getting fit, then pledge to start working out for once.

It's hard to get started, but one thing that can help drive you forward is a great playlist of songs with the perfect tempo to get you pumped for action.

On Wednesday we asked readers to vote for their favorite workout songs. The results are in, and there were plenty of decent suggestions.

It looks like the most popular tracks had a consistent tempo, solid groove, and plenty of attitude. Some tracks broke those trends - scroll down to see if you agree.

And, as usual, there were some prank entries. One of them technically won the whole poll, so we've included it at the bottom just for being hilarious.

Can you recommend other workout songs? Share them in the comments and help other readers get in shape for the New Year.

10. Them Crooked Vultures "No One Loves Me & Neither Do I"

A perfect intro to the list today. Too slow for running perhaps, but with a steady pace and grooves tighter than a nun's gardening schedule, it could be perfect for anything with repetitions like weightlifting.

9. Red Hot Chili Peppers "Can't Stop"

Few can groove as hard as the Chili Peppers. This hit from their 2002 album "By The Way" was a return to their old style of quick-fire rapping verses. Try boxing to it.

8. Paul Engemann "Push It To The Limit"

We're moving into prankster territory here. This 80s-tastic track from the "Scarface" soundtrack wouldn't normally show up on UG, but if you were going to a gym in a certain mood, it might suit you.

7. Queens Of The Stone Age "First It Giveth"

Time to pick up the pace. Relentless loops of riff upon riff are sure to drive you to work up a sweat. It's also one of many great tracks on the flawless "Songs For The Deaf" from 2002.

6. Rage Against The Machine "Calm Like A Bomb"

Other bands so far have had the groove right, but a good dose of anger - or perhaps we should say rage - is going to get you REALLY pumped.

5. Megadeth "Holy Wars"

Awesome song, but seriously, how did this get so many votes? There's so many different tempos and distracting (but awesome) changes that it could be hard to focus while you're working out. But hey, whatever works for you.

4. Tenacious D "To Be The Best"

This parody of movie montage scenes is probably useless for motivation in the real world. But then, in reality we're all just sat staring at computers right now, so what does it matter?

3. Meshuggah "Bleed"

Warning: video is NSFW. It won't suit everyone's workout schedule, but for many the trance-inducing blast beats will be perfect for getting in the zone.

2. Pantera "Cowboys From Hell"

All that power metal riffage and Phil Anselmo's drill sergeant vocal delivery should rouse you into action.

1. Survivor "Eye Of The Tiger"

There could only be one winner. This song has probably inspired every athlete in history - now it's your turn. Get up and start working out!

Bonus entry: "HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA"

This internet-era techno remix of 4 Non Blondes "What's Up" merged with beloved 80s cartoon He-Man won over 160 votes. It wasn't quite list worthy, but we can't ignore something so funny, so here it is as a bonus extra. And if you can't get enough, YouTube has a ten hour version available...

Comments

[nailsarecruel]

Strongly disagree with #8 being in prankster territory. That song is a cheesy beast.

[goremetal22]

Anyone else immediately picture Cartman training for the special olympics when they hear Push it to the Limit?

[Woffelz]

Funny you should say that - South Park had a parody of this song [it was called Montage or We're Gonna Need a Montage] in the episode Asspen.

[Eirien]

It was in Team America too. I thought it was just a parody of 80s cheese in general before I heard Push It To The Limit.

[CoolMcAwesome]

yeah Push it to the limit is hella motivational. I didn't post it with any prankster intentions. I mean I have seen the song used countless times during a workout montage! Also, how the **** did Joe Esposito "You're the Best Around" not make this list?

[ToolCreedence]

[AnnihilationUK]

Apart from Meshuggah and Pantera this is awful.

[Rick_Diculous]

I thought Meshuggah and Pantera were amongst the worst songs on this list.

[OJ12]

Pantera? oh is a joke. Hilarious

[My Last Words]

Music is taste and all..
Still, my mind is full of billions and billions of ****.

HOW COULD YOU DISLIKE MESHUGGAH ?!

[raoooos]

Because they're shit

[third(-)eye]

Dude, if you can't work out to First It Giveth, then you don't even lift, bro.

[loungeact88]

Songs for the Deaf is by far my favorite album to lift to. It gets me pumped...pun intended.

[Wininacan]

Definitly, this list sucks. Cowboys isnt even that great for lifting, something likeprimal concrete sledge is amazing. And throw in shit like Victorious Reign by Hate eternal

[Gantz92]

I dont Think any of these songs are bad but i can't imagine working out to them. Except for Pantera which i listen to while using free weights sometimes.

[thes50]

We all know I really won with my He-Man entry.

[thebigredjj10]

We all do. There can only be one number 1, and that is HE-MAN!

[whywefight]

not even a joke, I'd work out to it. Hell, I might even don some pretty rad short shorts.

[sonofgkex]

Maybe for running if you knew nobody could hear it in around you.

[Camron62\m/]

that video is hella funny

[N-D]

Not bad! For me RATM song is the best. QOTSA and Meshuggah are good too. And of course "Eye Of The Tiger"

[Joeyman336]

Imagine a fat dude with low self esteem on an exercise bike singing "NO ONE LOVES ME AND NEITHER DO I!" IT'S SO APPROPRIATE!

[OJ12]

I use only Pantera's song.

[gray96]

Well, I definitely get a good neck workout out of it.

[Jazz1992]

The top 2 songs are spot on. As a matter of fact the whole list is pretty decent. I'm shocked.

[jonathan.keeler]

Needs more devildriver.

[iommi600]

"Get up and start working out!"

I tried to get off my chair and my back hurts now. Therefore, I'll stay with my regular diet of junk food and sedentarism.

[postmortemspasm]

big words = no upvotes

[iommi600]

Aw come on, they're not scientific or anything.

[mlukeroberts222]

No Machine Head?????!!!!

[thebigredjj10]

My first thoughts. Try not getting motivated while lifting to I am Hell. That song is just the epitome of adrenaline mixed with the right amount of motivation.

[My Last Words]

If you're going for MH, at least pick something that isn't polished and overproduced like their new material (Although locust was kinda cool).

Burn my eyes my friend..

[ChucklesMginty]

I join the gym on Monday, I'm putting He Man on loop.

[sn00ze]

Boss - Born to run

[javdoc]

I usually do an all-Meshuggah mix on the treadmill. That gets you moving, no doubt!

[tallica83x91]

[Chronologo]

hahahaha I remember watching that movie long ago, almost shat myself laughing

[FavDaddario]

Too bad "Kickstart my heart" didn't make the list

[KatyPerrysTits]

[mazturofpuppetz]

Battery by Metallica, Aces High by Iron Maiden, Second Heartbeat by Avenged Sevenfold, Waking the Demon by BFMV, Indestructible by Disturbed, and A Warrior's Call by Volbeat are my favorites to work out to.

[vppark2]

Killswitch Engage - My Curse, or pretty much anything else by them works very well.

[Dude475]

Need some devildriver and allegaeon in here.
And play free bird

[DrMaplecrest]

Needs more Dio, Holy Diver

[LedZeppelin14]

Disappointed this didn't make it..

[Medicineman]

I can't listen to this song without air humping

[MeanMrMustard99]

This should be in for "Greatest video EVER!!!"

[Bazz22]

That guy in the video had the best idea ever.

[CapnKickass]

I approve this.

[The_DSO]

or this:

[LedZeppelin14]

I swear to god, UG needs a delete button already. It double posted the link, so I edited it to this comment. Haha

[frax21]

Ok WHERE THE FUCK IS HATEBREED?!

[Gexzilla]

Most Rammstein songs, really. Fast thrashy songs aren't very good, you lose rythm because of tempo changes, also get tired too early.

[zalant]

Indeed, you can be like a frickin' machine to most Rammstein tunes. Great call, man!

[Mouloudo]

who f' trains to QOTSA...

[dsperez88]

Needs System of a Down. Toxicity is such a great album to work out to.

[dsperez88]

I would also like to say that "Death Magnetic" by Metallica is an excellent album to work out to.

[third(-)eye]

Indeed.

[Nameless742]

The only song I listened to was "HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA".
I workout to Pantera, Lamb Of God and Black Label Society(superb).

[kratos379]

I really don't understand why you need a song with a consistent tempo to work out. That wouldn't bother me at all. A lot of the songs on this list I wouldn't use either, though some of them I definitely do, like Meshuggah.

[vppark2]

yeah, i agree. i mean for different types of workouts its diff. if im gonna lift heavy weights i need something really fast like Protest The Hero or August Burns Red.

[UseYourNikesBro]

At first judging by your avatar I thought you were a chick that did some hardcore lifting and I knew it was too good to be true. Then I went to your profile and you're just a guy. Gross.

[third(-)eye]

Derp. This wasn't supposed to be a reply. Fucking comment bug.

Well since I'm here, I kind of like tempo to stay steady when I'm working out, because it keeps the song driving.

[swusterbarth]

"White People for Peace" -- Against Me!

Driving rhythm, steady, slightly fast beat, screamtastic vocals. Good for running.

[rabidgoon]

Daft Punk's Alive 2007 is the best workout music. Period.

[AcdcTXfan]

Yeah well, according to Rolling Stone, "Back In Black" is the best workout song, with "Enter Sandman" as a close second.

[Burkz]

I like the meshuggah song, but i don't feel like it's a workout song

[soad_Simon94]

Angel of Death?

[Chronologo]

c'mon they even start working out

[millarso]

Not a bad list if I do say so myself. Can't Stop is a great song that I didn't even think of. I really like to listen to "Give It All" by Rise Against. Really pushes me.

[vppark2]

Love that song. I still think August Burns Red and Parkway Drive pump me up the most for lifting heavy weights though.

[FenderMaster]

Yeah, Can't Stop, Give it All and Anywhere but Here, also by RA are good motivation songs. You should try some Strike Anywhere too, Instinct or Sedition are great.

When you have nothing left to give and need to dig deep and find some energy, you can't beat "And soon the world will cease to be" by Amon Amarth.

[GuitarDomen]

Good list.

[HoverFan#1]

I had a feeling Eye Of The Tiger would be on here.

[BDags]

When I'm lifting weights I find the best thing to finish a tough set with is any breakdown from Parkway Drive. Gets me SO pumped!

[Scratcher17]

Retrace the steps, Retrace the steps, Retrace the steps... RETRACE THE STEEEEEPS!!!

I don't exercise, but if I did it would be while listening to Deep Blue album by Parkway Drive. Holy shit, that album's awesome!

[thrashmonkey]

I'm gonna go with either Ghost Division by Sabaton, Armored Bards by Heathen Foray or Rebellion (The Clans are Marching) by Grave Digger. To me those are the best workout songs

[cypherdid]

ZZ Top - Gimme All Your Lovin'

[Fidlar]

top ten to shit to?

[Rajah]

Number 1 - Ultimate Guitar Top 10 Lists.

[JFRules]

Can't believe nothing from Stan Bush the guy is the 80s power workout montage master.

[][v][ETAL]

I cant believe there was no Kill Em All there... Anyway, good list

[ZehnDannyD]

what about every hatebreed song? destroy everything? everyone bleed now? never let it die... people pls-.-

[Blew1]

@ JFRules : I feel your pain! Here's the cure :

[Blew1]

[Logan_B]

I must say, If you want a song that will get you absolutely fired up and get you through nerves when youre playing sports or something, for me it was always Condemned by As I Lay Dying. That song I dont know what it is, I get so focused and fired up when I listen to it. Just makes you wanna go crazy and you have lots more energy.

[Blew1]

My Top 10 workout tracks, in no particiular order :

1. Fear Factory : Mechanize
2. Crowbar : Conquering
3. Foo Fighters : The Colour And The Shape
4. Stan Bush : Dare
5. Thin Lizzy : Cold Sweat
6. Metallica : Battery
7. Anthrax : What Doesn't Die
8. Sepultura : Kairos
9. Strapping Young Lad : Detox
10. Slayer : Angel Of Death

You'll be more pumped than Lance Armstrong at the Tour De France!!! Anything thrashy or by Fear Factory is killer too and the first RATM album. Really UG? 'Calm Like a Bomb!?'

[third(-)eye]

Severe lack of System of a Down here. Good, fast, driving music that's also tuneful.

[will.d9]

This version of the He-Man song is much better!

[arabmetallion]

screeeeeaaaaming! screaming for venegance!

[Igamikun]

I find that most of Flogging Molly's songs were great to exercise to. Fast paced and upbeat. Definitely not a single song on the top here are tracks I'd be down to exercise to, and metal (especially nu-metal) doesn't cut it. I remember all meatheads in my weights class in highschool who would put limp bizkit, or some other crap on to lift weights to.
I think Joe Esposito had it down in the Karate Kid though.

[thebigredjj10]

1. Machine Head - I am Hell (Sonata in C#)
2. Exodus - Iconoclasm
3. Anthrax - In the End
4. Lamb of God - Laid to Rest
5. Slave New World - Sepultura
6. Annihilator - Operation Annihilation
7. Sister Sin - Fight Song
8. Judas Priest - One Shot at Glory
9. Mastodon - Black Tongue
10.Pantera - 5 Minutes Alone

[jsp16]

Physical! Physical! I wanna get physical

[The_Jayroh]

[Bazz22]

I definitely think it's cool that Meshuggah made the top ten, and so high at that!

[WaddleDeee]

Holy Wars made it because the first and last 2 minutes are speed metal at it's finest with one of the most solid drum lines in metal.

[Alex_WK]

If you want a cheesy workout oiled up bicep style this is the playlist you want. 344 subscribers agree

http://open.spotify.com/user/a6l6e6x666/...

[Saintsatan]

I'm fairly okay with the auto-tune rubbish that they usually blast in the gym.

[spyrostsal]

I have "Bleed" and "Calm like a bomb" on my gym playlist. Other amazing workout songs are:

Indestructible - Disturbed
Walk - Pantera
Blacken the cursed sun - Lamb of God
All nightmare long - Metallica
Non Serviam - Rotting Christ
Any song by Hatebreed (really, any song will do)
Battle Ready/Fists Fall - Otep
Refuse/Resist - Sepultura
Jump the **** up - Soulfly
I am Hell - Machine Head

[Jozef23]

No Luke Million-Arnie. It tells you what to do!

[Ninefreak]

any korn cd if you want to workout.

[EnslaveTheWorld]

I wouldn't have picked anything on this list. Bullet by Misfits would probably be my choice. Though I often end up listening to Slayer when I work out. Can't stand that crappy dance beat they blast for hours every day.

[StrangeDaze-]

Since we put scarface up this deserves a spot.

[RycheRulz]

What about Foo Fighters - Pretender?? LOVE to work out to that song!

[Thrash_Til_Deth]

[Norgz94]

Wow, this list is pretty good! I basically work out to the fastest metal i like for running. But during wieght lifting i like to socialize with my buddies instead

[Brandon1993]

I agree with TCV, QOTSA, Megadeth, and Pantera. The rest would be a no for me....
I tend to go for runs and do other shit like that while listening to Red Fang, The Sword, Sleep, and Electric Wizard.
Albums of choice for each
Red Fang - Murder The Mountains
The Sword - Warp Riders
Sleep - Sleep's Holy Mountain
Electric Wizard - Come My Fanatics....

[LuciferSamDance]

What!?!? Where's the OTEP?? Da-na-na-na, Da-na-na-na Blood Pig!

[sch1z0]

... SHUGGAH

[brutalbl00d]

No AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE?

NO CARE.

[Mojinosforever]

[Crimson Ghost]

Workout songs:
Good Vibrations - Marky Mark
Physical - Olyvia Newton John
Poison - Bell Biv DeVoe
This Is How We Do It - Montell Jordan

Most of this list is like having a list of the best disco songs and all the songs chosen are metal.

[1e0ye0e0s]

Missed it BIG TIME

[fromzero]

I never work out to any of those songs. I like stuff that gives energy, not takes it away. master of puppets, incubus - pardon me, Chevelle - family system, machine head - I am hell, all that remains - 2 weeks.... It must have fast and slow parts so that you can really appreciate the kick in speed, heavy and energy.

[David Dark]

take no prisoners

[Sakke]

This list is missing some Black Label Society...

[ssjmitch]

"the game" by disturbed.

[strat0blaster]

Styles of Beyond - Nine Thou (Superstars Remix)

Doomtree - Drumsticks

Incubus - Glass

That's the kind of stuff I prefer to work out to, or run to, rather.

[aig91]

Checked

[tacobellman2007]

Ten good workout/weight-lifting rock/metal/etc. songs, in my opinion:

Holy Diver - Killswitch Engage (don't get me wrong, the original is great too, but I just love the intense version to workout to)
My Curse - Killswitch Engage
Ladies and Gentlemen - Saliva
Slither - Velvet Revolver
Feel So Numb - Rob Zombie
Dragula - Rob Zombie
Man in the Box - Alice in Chains
Not Ready to Die - Avenged Sevenfold
Bloodline - Slayer
Psychosocial - Slipknot

[Punkrokkboi]

In reference to number 8, I actually listen to the Rick Ross version "Push It" at the gym all the time. Scarface is also my all time favorite movie though.

[BlackWolf24]

Airbourne - Too much, too young, too fast

[brokndwn06]

silverstein - giving up

[yogi_la_bearo]

Converge > everything else.

[acglee]

Depends on the workout...

Lifting:
Tool - Vicarious
Deftones - Digtal Bath
Eminem - Kim / White America
Mastodon - Quintessence
Opeth - Bleak
Napalm Death - When All is Said and Done
Behemoth - Ov Fire and the Void
Travis Barker - Carry It
Slipknot - People=Shit / Duality / Psychosocial
The Devin Townsend Band - Depth Charge
Dimmu Borgir - Gateways
Carcass - Heartwork

Cardio:
Devin Townsend - Kingdom
Arch Enemy - My Apocalypse / Yesterday is Dead and Gone
Killswitch Engage - Rose of Sharyn
Cradle of Filth - Sweetest Maleficia
Foo Fighters - Everlong / The Pretender / DOA
Godsmack - Get Up, Get Out
Insomnium - Where The Last Wave Broke
Motley Crüe - Girls, Girls, Girls
Rob Zombie - Dragula
Stone Roses - I Am the Resurrection
Enslaved - Ethica Odini
Amon Amarth - The Hero
In Flames - Cloud Connected
Carcass - Black Star

Yoga
Blackfield - Blackfield
Porcupine Tree - Arriving Somewhere But Not Here
Pink Floyd - Shine on you Crazy Diamond
Electric President - Insomnia / Good Morning Hypocrite
Radical Face - Welcome Home
Radiohead - Street Spirit
Massive Attack - Black Milk
Simon & Garfunkel  - The Only Living Boy in New York
Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored
Beastie Boys - Something's Got to Give

[UseYourNikesBro]

If Eye of the Tiger wasn't first I was going to lose faith in the world.

[VikingMiguel]

I would've said Take On Me by Aha too. Hell that song is good for EVERYTHING. Try it driving. SO much fun.

[ericmcq3121]

I think I just saw a list containing no System of a Down, Killswitch Engage, or Disturbed. There are about ten other Rage songs I'd rather have on a workout list too.

[maximumrocker]

TWO STEPS FROM HELL!!!

I just see my self running off to battle and killing the enemy!

[sideslick]

I don't care what you say, pop-rock acts like All-American Rejects or My Chemical Romance can get you up and moving.

Move Along up there as one of my favorite workout songs.

[ericmcq3121]

Gayest thing I've heard in a while

[thegreenBJ]

basket case!! ??

[BradTheBluefish]

"Can't Stop" and "Eye of the Tiger" are the only songs I have listened to while working out and WILL REMAIN to be the only songs on the list I will listen to when I work out.

[thejay2]

Machine Head - Aesthetics of Hate/Imperium
Metallica - Fuel (gets you pumped!)
Anthrax - Madhouse
Lamb of God - Laid To Rest
Nickelback - Burn It To The Ground/This means war (yes Nickelback!)
Rob Zombie - Superbeast
Bullet For My Valentine - Waking the Demon

Then when winding down:

Linkin Park - Given Up!

[AdamHagglund]

Well, I obviously need to start working out. Seems like I only listen to that kind of music. With the exception of Survivor. IMO, I would vote for any Refused song, always gets me sort of pumped.

[Till From Kenig]

Best workout song for me:

[Roarz]

august burns red - indonesia

[goingnowhere21]

All good choice, but I always found working out to Disturbed works great. You don't have to like them to agree, their music just gets you pumped to lift.

[nikolairox1]

Everyone keeps putting laid to rest for lamb of God. Fuk that blood junkie or old.h.g.a.b.f.e the vocals are whatever, but if that song doesn't get you pumped than you're not metal.