You know the power of a good playlist.
As a fitness professional, you’re aware that the right music does more than just flip you out of an I don’t wanna work out funk – it awakens something in you, levels you up, gets you motivated like you never thought you could be.
Music is the ultimate pre-workout, the ideal competitive edge, the cusp of insanity you’re trying to reach in every single fitness session – but what makes it so good?
It’s all in the BPM.
That’s right, the BPM – or the beats per minute – make ALL the difference in your workout and matching the right BPM to your specific workout can really kick it up a notch. Beats per minutes in a song can help you time your reps, know when to boost your cadence, focus you in on your workout, and even help you regulate your breathing and heart rate.
If a single song with a strategic beat per minute plan can level up your workout, can you imagine how much of a difference an entire playlist can make?
The short answer: a huge difference.
Want to level up your workouts for your clients? Check out IFG’s customized BPM playlists to bring the funk, motivate, and boost your clients’ workouts, which is just one of several member benefits that come with an IFG membership.
Want a little more info on which BPM make the most sense for specific workouts? Check out our little break down below!
BPM for HIIT workouts
HIIT workouts are a little bit tricky to match BPM music because it’s all about timing. By its nature, HIIT is a high-intensity workout with short spurts of I-need-inspiring-music and longer spurts of soon-I’m-going-to-need-inspiring-music.
Try to shoot for a mix of songs with BPMs of 115-120 for your “cool-down” or “rest” periods, and then amp it up fast to songs with BPM of 150-170. Check out our 120-130 BPM IFG playlist on Spotify for a little resting inspo and then check out our Spin, Zumba, and Dance Fitness playlists on Spotify to hook yourself up with some fast-paced jams.
BPM for Yoga
A great yoga playlist is going to depend on the type of yoga you’re doing.
Is it a power yoga class? Boost those songs up to 175 BPM. Is it a chill, stretching-focused yoga class? Turn it down a little for BPM songs between 60-100. Try to learn how to read the class – notice how many newbies are in it (they might need a little extra inspo, so bump the BPM up!) and know how to read the room for when it’s time to transition into a more chill, calming environment. Check out our Yoga IFG Playlist on Spotify for inspo!
BPM for Zumba & Dance
This one should be totally obvious – a good dance workout needs a bangin’ dance playlist.
Obviously, you’ll need to balance out your playlist with moderately fast to super speedy jams but try to shoot for songs with a BPM of anywhere from 130-170. Remember, it can be easy to get carried away (for both you and your clients) so only choose dance music with BPM that won’t get them so hyped they injure themselves. Check out our IFG Dance Fitness Playlist along with our Zumba Playlist on Spotify!
BPM for Strength Training
Let’s talk weightlifting.
The difference between a cardio-based BPM song (in the 120-140 range like we discussed earlier) and a good strength training song is knowing what’s too fast and what’s the right amount of inspiration.
A good range for weightlifting is anywhere between 130-140 – it’s inspiring, but not too inspiring. By that, we mean that it’s not going to get you too hyped to the point where you’re lifting too fast and falling victim to poor form or injury. A mid-range BPM of about 130 is ideal – consider songs like Summer by Calvin Harris, Die Young by Ke$ha, or even Toxic by Britney Spears (an amazing throwback).
These songs will keep your energy up but your head clear so that you can ensure you’re keeping your lifting form perfect.
