Your Ultimate 2025 Gym Playlist: 100% Reader-Submitted Bangers

Last month, my workout playlist hit rock bottom. I found myself doing deadlifts to the same song for the third time in one session because I was too tired to skip it. That's when I knew—I needed help.

So I asked you, and wow, did you deliver.

Over 200 of you submitted your go-to gym tracks, the songs that turn a "maybe I'll skip leg day" into a "let's add another set" kind of morning. What came back was pure gold: everything from hardcore metal to 90s hip-hop to, surprisingly, a lot of Taylor Swift (Thank you , I think)

Here's what we're lifting to in 2025.

🔥 WARM-UP GROOVES (Getting in the Zone)

"BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - Billie Eilish Submitted by @sarahlifts"Don't sleep on this for warm-ups. That build-up is perfect for mobility work."

"Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter Submitted by Jake M."Judge me all you want. This song is catchier than any pre-workout."

"Paint The Town Red" - Doja Cat Submitted by @fit_with_maria"The tempo is perfect for dynamic stretching and it puts me in the MOOD."

💪 HEAVY LIFTING ANTHEMS (PR Territory)

"HOUDINI" - Dua Lipa Submitted by Marcus T."Disco for deadlifts. I will not be taking questions."

"Down With The Sickness" - Disturbed Submitted by @ironmike87"A classic for a reason. That opening growl = instant adrenaline."

"Til I Collapse" - Eminem ft. Nate Dogg Submitted by 47 different people You all have taste. This one made nearly every single submission list.

"Enter Sandman" - Metallica Submitted by @crossfit_jenny"When I need to channel rage into a barbell, this is it."

"Can't Hold Us" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Submitted by David R."Underrated gym banger. That energy is unmatched."

🏃 CARDIO KILLERS (140+ BPM Chaos)

"Titanium" - David Guetta ft. Sia Submitted by @runner_rachel"Mile 2 when my legs are screaming? This song tells them to shut up."

"Satisfya" - Imran Khan (Remix)Submitted by Priya K."If you know, you know. This remix makes treadmill sprints feel cinematic."

"Levels" - Avicii Submitted by @fitnessfanatic_20"RIP to a legend. This song never gets old on the stairmaster."

"Industry Baby" - Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow Submitted by Tyler W."That beat drop at 0:27 should be illegal during HIIT."

"Kernkraft 400" - Zombie Nation Submitted by @dadswholift"Stadium anthem energy. Makes me feel like I'm about to score a touchdown on the elliptical."

😤 THE RAGE ROOM (When You Need to Exorcise Demons)

"Before I Forget" - Slipknot Submitted by @metalhead_gym"Anger management through bench press. Therapist approved."

"Blood // Water" - grandson Submitted by Alex M."When corporate emails have me heated and I need to redirect that energy."

"The Way I Am" - Eminem Submitted by @gym_therapy"Bad day at work? This song + heavy bag = problem solved."

🎯 WILDCARD PICKS (The Unexpected MVPs)

"Shake It Off" - Taylor Swift Submitted by @broswholift, Kevin D., @taylorswoleift, and 12 othersGuys, the Swifties in the weight room are REAL and they're not ashamed.

"Eye of the Tiger" - Survivor Submitted by Linda G., age 64"I've been working out to this since 1985 and I'm not stopping now."Linda, you're an icon.

"Careless Whisper" - George Michael Submitted by Anonymous"Sax solos during cool-down stretches hit different. Don't knock it."

"September" - Earth, Wind & Fire Submitted by @groovygains"Functional fitness should be FUN. Try not smiling during jump squats to this."

"Con Altura" - ROSALÍA ft. J Balvin Submitted by @fitlatina"Reggaeton for resistance training. The rhythm makes burpees less painful."

🧘 COOL-DOWN VIBES (Coming Back to Earth)

"Sunflower" - Post Malone, Swae Lee Submitted by @mindful_muscle"Post-workout stretching needs chill energy. This is it."

"The Less I Know The Better" - Tame Impala Submitted by Jamie L."Foam rolling to psychedelic bass lines. Chef's kiss."

📊 BY THE NUMBERS

• Most submitted artist: Eminem (31 submissions)

• Most unexpected genre: K-pop (BTS made 8 lists)

• Oldest song submitted: "Gonna Fly Now" - Bill Conti, 1977

• Newest song submitted: Several tracks from December 2024

• Most divisive pick: "Baby Shark" (submitted ironically... we hope)

Your Turn

We know we couldn't include every single submission (sorry to the three people who workout to sea shanties—respect, but it didn't make the cut).

What's your #1 non-negotiable gym song that we missed? Drop it in the comments. If we get enough responses, we're doing a Volume 2 next month.

And if you see someone at the gym mouthing "SHAKE IT OFF" while squatting 225, mind your business. They might be one of us.

Special thanks to everyone who submitted. You turned my deadlift despair into PR fuel. Let's get it in 2025. 💪