So what makes a great workout song? “It’s actually pretty straightforward: Popular songs that are fast,” says Chris Lawhorn, the music writer who created a website — runhundred.com — devoted entirely to workout mix tunes.
In the three years since the site starting polling workout warriors for their favorite motivational music, the top tracks have typically met one or both of two criteria: The song has appeared on the Top 40 charts or it has 125 or more beats per minute.
“This should explain why Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas, Ke$ha, Katy Perry, Pitbull and the like dominate not just our polls but most similar playlists,” Lawhorn says.
Runhundred.com sorts songs by genre and beats per minute. Based on the 15,000 votes cast so far, here are the Top 10 Workout Tunes of 2011:
‘What The Hell,’ Avril Lavigne (150 beats per minute)
‘C’mon (Catch ‘Em By Surprise),’ Tiesto, Diplo & Busta Rhymes (130 bpm)
‘(Forget) You,’ Cee Lo Green (129 bpm)
‘Party Rock Anthem,’ LMFAO (129 bpm)
‘Give Me Everything,’ Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer (129 bpm)
‘Moves Like Jagger,’ Maroon 5 & Christina Aguilera (128 bpm)
‘Sofi Needs A Ladder,’ Deadmau5 (127 bpm)
‘Teenage Dream,’ Kaskade Remix (125 bpm)
‘Don’t Wanna Go Home,’ Jason Derulo (122 bpm)
‘Rolling In The Deep,’ Adele (105 bpm)