Whether you enjoy running, biking, walking, or exercising at a fitness center, smartphones are now essential gear for workouts.
Smartphones are especially useful for playing your favorite workout songs. Given the variety of music apps available, you can find an app to provide the music experience that best helps you when exercising. For instance, some apps stream music in specific genres, play songs based on your beats per minute (BPM) to match your exercise rhythm, and some allow you to make your playlist.
With the variety of apps available, the hardest part is choosing the best workout music app that fits your needs.
It’s worth taking the time, however, to find the best music app for you. Not only will you enjoy your workout better with the right tunes, but studies show that adding music to your exercise routine keeps you working out longer. Music also can help improve your exercise performance by decreasing your perception of fatigue and encouraging rhythmic movement to keep you exercising.
Here are X music apps that can help you stay motivated while working out regardless of the type of exercise you enjoy.
Spotify
A few years ago, Spotify offered a feature called Running, which would match your music to your exercise pace using your phone’s accelerometer. Unfortunately, this feature was discontinued in 2018.
However, if you want access to a variety of music when exercising, Spotify could be the right choice for you. Spotify provides access to millions of songs, ensuring you’ll always find the music you’ll enjoy. You can stream music or create specific playlists for your workouts. You also can listen to podcasts or audiobooks if you prefer those to music when exercising.
Spotify is available on Android and iOS devices. It offers a free version that does give you access to all the available music and content. However, the subscription-based Spotify Premium removes all ads, allows you to skip as many songs per hour as you’d like, and lets you download music, so it’s available when you’re offline.
Whether you listen to the free version or upgrade to a paid subscription, Spotify is a good choice if you want to stream a variety of songs.
RockMyRun
If you enjoy exercising to DJ mixes, you should check out RockMyRun. The DJ mixes are designed to motivate you while you’re working out. The music plays at a constant tempo, which can help keep you going, especially if you enjoy running.
RockMyRun is available for both Android and iOS devices. It offers thousands of DJ mix stations in a variety of music genres. You can select your mix by types of music, such as Rock, Country, 80s, Hip Hop, and more, or search by beats per minute (BPM). The BPM option allows you to select from a range of constant BPM or select an option that builds or varies the BPM. The ability to choose by BPM is an excellent option for individuals who used to use Spotify’s Running option.
RockMyRun has a free standard version and a paid subscription version called Rockstar. Both versions provide users with access to thousands of music stations, advanced search controls to find the music you want, a GPS tracker, and Apple watches music controls.
The paid version, Rockstar, also offers ad-free listening, the ability to manually adjust the tempo, select music that matches your heartbeat or steps, unlimited skips, and a save data mode.
Whether you select the free version or the paid Rockstar option, RockMyRun can provide you with driving, rhythmic beats to keep you exercising.
PaceDJ
PaceDJ adapts music to your pace or BPM to help you run or exercise longer and faster. Unlike some other BPM apps, PaceDJ first enables you to find the right BPM for you and then adjusts the music to match your mile time goal. The company reports that the app will speed up or slow down BPMs to match your pace.
Additionally, if you enjoy interval workouts, you can create your own custom interval workout music or select from pre-programmed templates.
PaceDJ allows you to use the music you already have saved to your device or iTunes library, which enables you more control over the music played. Don’t have enough of your own music? That’s not a problem. You also have access to popular workout playlists. Additionally, they offer a free music discovery service to help you find songs that match your running pace.
This app is available on iOS and Android, although not all functions may be available on Android versions at this time. You can first try PaceDJ for free. If you like this app, you can upgrade to their Premium version, which includes the interval training functioning, a dislike button, and has no ads.
Spring Running Music
If your exercise routine focuses primarily on running or walking, then you might want to check out Spring Running Music. This app not only helps you stay motivated during your run but also coaches you to help you run better by matching the music to your pace.
This app offers over 100 personalized playlists and stations, which are sorted by genre, artist, and BPM so you can find the music that best suits your needs.
The app will detect your running or walking rhythm and create a custom playlist for your pace based on your music preferences. This feature helps you avoid having to spend time making playlists.
Additionally, you can set your steps per minute (SPM) at the start of each workout and even change your SPM while exercising. This feature is similar to BPM in other programs. This feature can help you gradually increase your pace to help with your training and reduce the risk of injury.
Other features include pre-made playlists, an interval mode if you enjoy high-intensity, interval workouts (HIIT), and an offline mode. Spring Running Music also has a GPS tracking, visual mapping, and keeps a record of your workouts. These features are great for helping you plan routes or keep track of your progress. The app also makes it easy to share on Facebook and Instagram.
This app is only available on iOS devices and does not have a free version. However, it offers a 30-day trial at a reduced fee so you can try the program. If you cancel during this 30-day period, you won’t be charged for future months. There are different subscription options available, including a discounted yearly rate.
Fit Radio
If you want an app that offers streaming music, the ability to match music to your pace, cardio coaching, and strength training programs, Fit Radio may be the app for you.
At its core, Fit Radio is a music-streaming app that uses DJ-created mixes to help you maintain a constant beat while working out. You can look for music by DJ, genre, or type of workout. Having music tailored to your type of workout is great for people who enjoy mixing up their exercise routine by trying different kinds of activities.
Fit Radio has over 100 DJs creating mixes for a variety of workouts and from over 40 genres, so you’ll never be bored with your music options. Mixes are designed to maintain a consistent and energetic tempo. Songs are strategically selected and placed in a mix to help you get the most out of your workout.
Fit Radio also offers audio Cardio Coaching. Cardio Coaching is like having a coach by your side, helping to motivate and guide you through your workout. These cardio workouts also can be paired with your Fit Radio music.
Additionally, this app provides video-guided strength training. The strength training videos can help if you’re looking to mix up your normal strength training routine or if you’re new to strength training and are intimidated by the machines at the gym. Fit Radio has partnered up with actual trainers to create these workouts. Workouts cover a variety of approaches, from cross-training to beach body and more.
Fit Radio is available on iOS, Android, and the web. It also is on Apple Watch. Fit Radio does not have a free version, but it does offer a free trial period.
Weav Run
Weav Run is designed to be a music app for runners, but can also be used with other activities like cycling, working out in a gym, and more.
This app is another option if you are looking for a BPM program that will match the song’s beat to when your foot touches the ground. The music will automatically adapt to your stride, so if you speed up, so does the music.
Weav Run also offers a fixed tempo option for those times when you do not want the music to adjust to your rhythm. This feature is helpful for those runs when your goal is to maintain a steady pace.
Since runners often match their steps to the beat of the music, you can also use Weav Run to help you improve and optimize your cadence (or steps per minute).
It offers music from a variety of artists, and all songs can play between 100 to 240 BPM. With this app, you’ll never get bored with stale playlists or have to spend time making up playlists before going on a run.
The app also comes with performance tracking features that will help you keep track of your run streak, measure your cadence, and track your run with GPS.
The app makes it easy to share on social media and connect to Strava to share your route, photos, and cadence. It also can run simultaneously with other apps like Nike+ Run Club, Strava, and more.
Weav Run is available on iOS and Android devices. Weav Run does not have a free version but does offer a 14-day free trial that you can use to decide if you want to sign up for a subscription.
Finding the Right Music App Can Keep You Exercising
Exercising regularly helps improve our health, mood, mind, and body. But it can get hard to find the time to stick to our routine consistently. Fortunately, music can help keep us motivated to stay on track and stick with our workout schedule.
Thanks to our smartphones, it’s easier than ever to access the type of music that will help you while exercising. So whether you want a variety of streaming music, the option to make up your own playlist, pre-made playlists, or music that matches your rhythm, there is an app that can help you.
Please see some of our other articles like “What are Women’s Cell Phone Accessories?” and “Cancer Risk with Cell Phones, Cell Phone Accessories & Headphones?”
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435671/
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-effects-of-music-tempo-and-loudness-level-on-Edworthy-Waring/a9ad50173051ad84ec9f9865e039092dea47f6cd
https://community.spotify.com/t5/Content-Questions/Retirement-of-our-Running-Feature/td-p/4383603
https://www.spotify.com/us/
http://www.rockmyrun.com/
http://www.pacedj.com/
https://www.springmoves.com/
https://www.fitradio.com/
https://run.weav.io/