Listening to music while exercising, especially high-tempo, high-intensity music, can improve your workout and even motivate you to work out longer. So, it's important to choose the right music when you work out.
Apple Music has become a powerful tool for fitness enthusiasts, offering curated playlists updated weekly by experts to keep your workout routine fresh. However, finding the perfect playlist for your specific training method from thousands of options can be overwhelming.
If you want to know what the best workout playlist is, then you've come to the right place. We have tested and analyzed Apple Music's top offerings to bring you a list of the 10 best Apple Music workout playlists. In addition, we will provide a pro tip on how to download these playlists for offline playback on any device.
Before delving into this chart, it's helpful to understand the mechanisms behind the music. It's not just about "fast songs", but also about BPM (Beats Per Minute) and emotional resonance.
120-140 BPM: The sweet spot for steady-state cardio and lifting.
150-180 BPM: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprinting.
Lyrics and Tone: Aggressive vocals for power, rhythmic flows for focus, and instrumental beats for "zoning out".
Top 1. Pop Workout
Best For: Cardio, Elliptical, and High-Energy Classes
The "Pop Workout" playlist will be regularly updated based on the latest developments on the Billboard Hot 100, but with a special selection process: only energetic songs will be included.
You'll hear the latest tracks from pop superstars like Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and Ariana Grande, as well as up-and-coming pop artists set to dominate the charts in 2026. The consistent rhythms of pop music make it ideal for repetitive aerobic exercise. As your feet tap against the beat of synth-pop choruses on the treadmill, you'll naturally enter a state of "flow", making a 30-minute run feel like a 10-minute workout.
What's more, the lyrics are usually powerful and catchy, allowing listeners to temporarily forget their physical fatigue. The entire playlist is easy to listen to and full of fun, brimming with energy from the first song to the last.
Top 2. Hip-Hop Workout
Best For: Weightlifting, CrossFit, and PR Attempts
The "Hip-Hop Workout" playlist focuses on rhythm and confidence. When you're lifting a heavy barbell, what you need isn't fast beats, but a powerful rhythm that makes you feel invigorated.
This playlist blends the work of modern trap music kings and legends of the golden age. You'll hear tracks from heavyweights like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Future. The emphasis is on the "climax" - the moment the bass hits the song, perfectly matching the explosive power of weightlifting. The confidence inherent in hip-hop lyrics translates directly into confidence in the gym. If you need to feel invincible before challenging your personal best, this is the music you need.
Top 3. Hard Rock Workout
Best For: High-Intensity Lifting, Anger Management, and "Beast Mode"
The "Hard Rock Workout" playlist forgoes synthesizer sounds, replacing them with distorted guitars and thunderous drums. This playlist is crafted for those who see the gym as a battlefield.
Spanning decades, this playlist blends 90s grunge rock, 2000s nu-metal, and modern hard rock. You'll hear adrenaline-pumping tracks from bands like Metallica, Linkin Park, and Disturbed. The dynamic shifts in rock music - often transitioning from a low chorus to an explosive chorus - perfectly match the rhythmic changes of high-intensity workouts.
Research shows that rock music raises physiological arousal levels (heart rate and adrenaline) faster than almost any other genre. It's practically an essential pre-workout energy boost.
Top 4. Top 100 Running
Best For: Marathon Training and Long-Distance Running
The "Top 100 Running" playlist is designed to match the cadence of the average runner. Most songs on the playlist have a tempo between 160 and 180 beats per minute.
This is crucial because synchronizing your stride with the beat improves running efficiency and reduces oxygen consumption. The playlist is extensive, typically over 9 hours long, meaning you can shuffle it and run a marathon without hearing the same song twice. It prevents boredom during long runs and subconsciously encourages you to maintain a steady pace, preventing premature exhaustion.
View also: Best Apple Music Running Playlist
Top 5. Gym Flow
Best For: General Fitness and Full-Body Circuits
"Gym Flow" is the best gym playlist on Apple Music for workout. Designed specifically for a one-hour gym workout, it perfectly blends various musical styles, making it the ideal background music. The playlist's selection leans towards "relaxed" rather than "intense". It primarily features upbeat pop, R&B, and melodious hip-hop. It's perfect for switching between machines, core training, and stretching. It will get you moving to the rhythm without being overly stimulating. It effectively mitigates fluctuations during your workout.
If you're doing a circuit workout with varying intensity, this playlist provides a consistent and stable atmosphere, perfectly matching every movement you make.
Top 6. Dance Workout
Best For: Spinning, Zumba, and Fast Cardio
The "Dance Workout" playlist features House, Trance, and EDM music, all centered around a strong 4/4 time signature. Produced by artists like Calvin Harris, Tiësto, and David Guetta, these tracks build up gradually, culminating in a powerful drop that releases energy. This structure is perfect for interval training (like spinning classes), gradually increasing in intensity and then sprinting to the finish with a powerful drop. The simple lyrics also allow you to fully immerse yourself and focus on your movements.
This high-energy music is incredibly infectious. Listening to House music at 128 BPM, it's almost impossible to slow down.
Top 7. Weekend Worthy
Best For: Active Recovery and Social Workouts
This best workout playlist on Apple Music perfectly captures the relaxed atmosphere of a Friday afternoon. It's upbeat, positive, and filled with cheerful songs. Whether it's a Saturday morning hike or leisurely bike ride with friends, or a workout at the gym where you enjoy the exercise rather than trying to break records, this is the ideal playlist.
The songs on the playlist typically blend classic hits with current pop songs, creating a nostalgic yet joyful atmosphere. It reminds us that exercise is a celebration of our physical potential, not a punishment for overeating. It boosts your mood. A positive emotional state is closely linked to better athletic performance and greater enthusiasm for exercise.
Top 8. Pure Yoga
Best For: Yoga, Pilates, and Cool Downs
The "Pure Yoga" playlist is an essential tool for restoring and improving flexibility. It forgoes lyrics and powerful beats, opting instead for ambient sounds, acoustic instruments, and natural sounds.
Whether you're attempting challenging balance poses or relaxing after a stressful day, this Apple Music workout playlist helps you breathe deeply and improve mental clarity. It cleverly connects physical exercise with mental meditation. It lowers cortisol levels and heart rate, thereby activating the parasympathetic nervous system and promoting physical recovery.
Top 9. Country Run
Best For: Outdoor Jogs and Scenic Runs
For those who find electronic beats harsh or irritating, this best workout playlist on Apple Music offers a refreshing alternative. It creates a narrative atmosphere. Listening to stories about small towns, love, and life can make a long run more enjoyable than repetitive beats.
Modern country music often incorporates strong rock rhythms, which are surprisingly suitable for jogging. Songs by artists like Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, and Morgan Wallen can keep you energized while allowing you to relax and appreciate the scenery. It offers a way to "distract" yourself. By focusing on the lyrics and the story of the song, you'll pay less attention to the fatigue in your legs.
Top 10. Home Workout
Best For: Bodyweight Circuits and Living Room Sessions
Exercising at home presents unique challenges, family members, pets, and even the comfort of the sofa can easily distract you. This Apple Music workout playlist aims to break this monotony.
It blends various musical styles and recommends using a smart speaker rather than headphones. The rich selection of tracks makes workouts fun and avoids monotony. It can ignite your enthusiasm for exercise without being too noisy and disturbing neighbors or roommates. It breaks the silence of your home, creating a personalized "audio space" that sends workout signals to your brain even when you're just in the living room.
Extra Tips: How to Download Apple Music Workout Playlists for Offline Playback
Everyone will enjoy playing the above best Apple Music workout playlists. With them, you can work out better. For more convenience, you may like to download your favorite playlists for offline playback. Better yet, you may want to play them on other devices.
The only hindrance is that all of Apple Music's music is protected. You can't play it on many devices. Besides, once you cancel your subscription, you lose access to the playlists. If you need a better offline playback on any device and keep playlists forever, you will need a tool to remove Apple Music protection. And AudFree Apple Music Converter is a thorough piece of software that does the conversion swiftly.
AudFree Apple Music Converter
- Download Apple Music playlists at a fast speed
- Convert Apple Music to MP3, FLAC, WAV, etc. for playing on more devices
- Keep 100% original sound quality and full ID3 tags
- Able to customize the output quality and other settings
- Step 1. Import Apple Music Playlists to AudFree Audio Converter
- After installing and launching AudFree Apple Music Converter on your computer, find and select your preferred Apple Music playlists from the built-in Apple Music web player library. Later, tap the '+ ♫' button at the right side and click 'Add to List'.
- Step 2. Personalize Audio Output format to MP3
- Apple Music file has M4P encryption, and you can't access it using an unauthorized device. To remove DRM from Apple Musc, press the "menu" > Preferences > Conversion tab. In the audio customization window, select MP3 to convert your playlist into a plain format. What's more, on this window, you can customize the sample rate, bit rate, and the audio channel.
- Step 3. Convert Apple Music Playlist M4P to MP3
- After selecting the audio format, select the "Convert" button in the Converting window to initiate the conversion. Moreover, AudFree Apple Music Converter supports batch conversion to Apple Music playlists. You can import multiple playlists you'd enjoy when working out for decryption. After the conversion, you can move the downloaded playlists to any device for playback.
To download and convert Apple Music playlists for offline listening anywhere, using AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder is another choice. This tool can download music from Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, SoundCloud and more, which is better for those who use multiple music services.
The Bottom Line
You will like this list of the 10 best workout playlist on Apple Music. You can download them for offline playback in case you're out running and don't have internet. However, the downloaded Apple Music playlists won't play on other devices. You can use a powerful Apple Music converter like AudFree Audio Converter to break the limits. It allows you to download Apple Music as local files with lossless quality. After that, you can enjoy the wonderful entertainment downloads anywhere.
James Blair
Staff Editor
