For many people, a new year means only one thing: time to dust off those running shoes and get into shape. For health and fitness content creators, January is one of the busiest times of the year. Workout videos are the perfect way to motivate, inspire, and get audiences moving. But while you may know every rep, stretch, and circuit inside out, do you know how to choose the right music to really get people sweating? If you’re unsure, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Why music matters in fitness content

Music is one of the most integral aspects to any workout video. The right track can boost motivation, improve performance, and help viewers stay engaged from warm-up to cool-down. Studies consistently show that music can increase endurance, enhance mood, and even reduce perceived effort. These are all key motivating factors when someone is following along with a workout at home.

For creators, great music also improves retention. If your audience enjoys the rhythm and energy of your video, they’re far more likely to finish it, save it, or come back for more.

Match the tempo to the workout

Tempo is one of the most important elements when choosing music for workout videos, but it’s not just about beats per minute (BPM), it’s also about how the rhythm feels. For example, Trap or Drill beats, while traditionally slow (on average 70-80bpm) often use double-time hi-hat patterns that create a fast, driving energy. This makes them especially effective for high-intensity workouts, strength training, and HIIT sessions. The rapid rhythmic movement naturally encourages faster reps, sharper movements, and a greater sense of urgency.

Here is a general guide to tempo when applied to workout content:

  • Warm-ups & mobility: 90–110 BPM with a steady, relaxed groove
  • Strength training & HIIT: 120–150 BPM, or mid-tempo tracks with double-time rhythms for added intensity
  • Cardio & endurance: Higher-energy tracks of 130 BPM plus
  • Cool-downs & stretching: Slower, minimal tracks to help the body recover

By adjusting the tempos of the tracks you use you can directly influence the levels of movement within the workout. Often choosing tracks that feel fast can push energy levels without overwhelming your audience.

Choose a genre that fits your brand, audience and workout.

Your music choices should reflect both your workout style and your personal brand. Look at the audience you are aiming to target. Use music choices that aline with that demographic. For instance, you might not want to use light bouncy pop music if you are aiming content at 20 yr old male body builders. Or gangsta rap if you are doing Tai Chi classes for over 60’s

It’s also worth keeping an eye on trending music genres. Using sounds that audiences are already engaging with can help your content feel current, relevant, and critically, more shareable. This is especially the case on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.

For example, the ever trending, “phonk” style of Hip-Hop has surged in popularity across fitness and motivational content thanks to it’s aggressive energy. Phonk’s sonic qualities of deep 808 basslines, rhythmic momentum, and a somewhat dark or cinematic tone, can stimulate the brain in ways that align with intense physical activity. In fact, working out has even inspired a very intense modern variant of phonk called “gym phonk”.

But phonk is just one of many affective genre pairings. Pumping EDM has long been a stalwart of Workout and fitness videos. Who can forget the memorable video to the Eric Prydz track “Call on me”?



Here are some more effective genre pairings to get you going.

  • Electronic / EDM for HIIT, cardio, and gym-style workouts
  • Hip-hop/trap for strength training, boxing, and high-impact fitness content
  • Pop for accessible, beginner-friendly routines
  • Ambient or chill beats for yoga, Pilates, and recovery sessions

Staying aware of trending sounds, while still maintaining consistency with your brand, helps your videos connect with audiences and keeps your content feeling fresh and relevant.

Avoid lyrics that distract

Lyrics can be powerful, but they can also be distracting, especially if you’re giving verbal instructions in your videos. Instrumental tracks or music with minimal vocals are considered the safest option for fitness content.

If you do use vocals, make sure they don’t clash with your voiceover or pull focus away from cues and demonstrations. It can work well to have a motivational vocal part i.e “work that body” but consider editing the music track so the lyrics do not clash with the instructions. Clear instruction should always come first.

Build energy by structuring the music

Think of music as part of your workout programming. Use different tracks or sections to signal transitions. For example, switching to a higher-energy track for the main set, then something calmer for the cool-down. This helps guide viewers through the session and keeps them mentally engaged.

For smooth transitions, if your music tracks are to be continuous without gaps in between, always cut and bring in the new track on the beat. You can even try dropping a sound effect over the link to help accentuate it. i.e a whoosh or crowd cheer. The way the tracks work together should sound seemless and not distract from the overall workout.

Music Sourcing

Copyright issues can quickly derail even the most motivational content. While tempting, using popular commercial music without permission or proper licensing can lead to muted videos, takedowns, or demonetisation. TikTok is the one exception to this rule allowing you to choose from its library of published pre-cleared music. But bare in mind, you will have to produce an alternative version with copyright safe music if you plan to post on other platforms. And that’s a lot of extra work!

That’s why royalty-free libraries are a life saver for fitness creators. With services like RouteNote Licensing, you get access to a wide range of production music and sound effects that are pre cleared for use in online videos, social media, and commercial projects. You can even get your youtube channel whitelisted guaranteeing that nothing you use from our library will trigger a copyright claim. And with subscriptions starting at just $4.99 for unlimited use, it’s an affordable way to keep your content and channel protected and professional.

Summary

The perfect workout video isn’t just about great exercise routines, it’s about creating an experience. Choosing the right music can elevate your content to new heights and motivate your audience to keep coming back for more. By using the tips and techniques mentioned in this video, as well as reliable, royalty-free music from RouteNote Licensing, you’ll be well on your way to creating fitness content that truly moves people.

Stop risking your channel’s revenue and momentum on a flawed system.

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