Tag: fitness

The Self-Care and Wellness Listening Trends on Spotify That We’re Taking Into 2022

January 12, 2022

For some, 2022 brings new mental and physical wellness goals, while others are continuing to hone the mood-boosting skills they learned in 2021. No matter how listeners choose to kick off this season of self-care, we know one thing for certain: their favorite audio is along for the journey. To launch a new year of listening, we took a look at the songs, artists, and creators on Spotify that have helped power listeners’ mental and physical wellbeing. 

One standout finding is that listeners around the world have created more than 97.1 million workout and fitness playlists on Spotify to date. To help bring this trend into 2022, Spotify is working with fitness and wellness experts Amanda Kloots, Liv Lo Golding, Mia Lind, Demi Bagby, Jeanette Jenkins, Corey Calliet, Katie Austin, and Joie Chavis to take over the Spotify At Home hub with fresh curated playlists to sweat, dance, and unwind to.

Each tracklist is geared toward a specific vibe, with a mix of new hits and classic beats. For Katie Austin—fitness personality, model, and host of podcast Austin AF—curating Katie Austin’s Hype HIITs Playlist is all about celebrating favorites. And celebrity trainer and actor Corey Calliet takes a similar approach to Corey Calliet’s HIIT Playlist, finding inspiration in tried-and-true tunes. “In curating this playlist I had to throw in some of my favorite songs I grew up listening to—they always get my energy up,” said Corey. “This is my soundtrack for 2022. No matter the vibe, I’m showing up and not slowing up!”

Here are the other trends helping get listeners’ energy up on Spotify.

Main character moments galore

Listeners are also continuing to exercise their self-confidence, creating playlists dedicated to wellness inside and out. That includes more than 160,000 “that girl” playlists to date created by users on Spotify around the trending aesthetic of sticking with routines and getting things done. Some of the most popular songs added to those playlists include “Good Days” by SZA, “telepatía” by Kali Uchis, “Woman” by Doja Cat, “successful” by Ariana Grande, and “jealousy, jealousy” by Olivia Rodrigo.

Creator Demi Bagby joins the empowerment movement with Demi Bagby’s Vibes Playlist, a playlist that celebrates her love of music and the songs that fuel her. “I chose these songs because no matter where you’re from or what genre you like to listen to, these are all bound to put you in a good mood,” she shared. “I feel so free with all these songs, and it’s definitely ‘main character vibes.’ They feed my soul!”

2021 also welcomed the “hot girl walk” trend and inspired the creation of more than 7,000 playlists on Spotify to date. Walkers around the world took their strolls to the next level by using their time on the trails to self-reflect and set goals. Popular soundtracks to their steps include “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado; “Gimme More” by Britney Spears; “WAP (feat Megan Thee Stallion)” by Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion; “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo; and “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo.

To take the trend a step further, we partnered with the founder herself, Mia Lind, to create Mia Lind’s Hot Girl Walk Playlist, a playlist with the best “hot girl walk” tracks to stream while hitting the pavement. “I curated this playlist to be a combination of songs that make me feel confident and pump me up no matter the time of day,” Mia told For the Record. “They are all upbeat to keep you at a good pace, and there are plenty of them so you never hear the same song twice!”

Hip-hop is a heavy hitter (and lifter)

For some Spotify fans, it wouldn’t be a new year without a new workout. And based on the data, we would guess hip-hop will remain a top choice for workout tunes in 2022. After all, in 2021, the genre reigned supreme when it came to fitness playlists. Some of the top tracks added to user-generated workout and fitness playlists to date include “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton; “Numb / Encore” by JAY-Z and Linkin Park; “HUMBLE” by Kendrick Lamar; “Stronger” by Kanye West; and “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.

Many workout regimens also feature “leg day”—and Spotify has the user-generated playlists to prove it. Top tracks include: “Anaconda” by Nicki Minaj; “WAP (feat Megan Thee Stallion)” by Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion; “Miss New Booty” by Bubba Sparxxx, Mr. Collipark, Ying Yang Twins; “Get Low” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Ying Yang Twins; and “Booty” by Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azalea—which all are all helping to get glutes in gear.

To keep flexing in 2022, fitness and dance personality Joie Chavis brings the same energy to Joie Chavis’ Stronger You Playlist. “I always work out first thing in the a.m., so an upbeat playlist with my favorite music is a great way to wake myself up and start the day,” she explained.

Many minds are on mindfulness

Mindfulness, an important theme from 2021 is still important to listeners in the new year. Last year for World Mental Health Day, Spotify encouraged both listeners and employees to “take a beat” and “tune into yourself” with playlists in the Spotify At Home hub from mental health advocates Chelsea Cutler and WE THE URBAN.

And the data shows that Spotify users are doing just that—creating more than 402,000 self-care, mindfulness, and health and wellness-related playlists to date. Topping those tracklists are “Confident” by Demi Lovato, “Scars To Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara, “Who Says” by Selena Gomez & The Scene, “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga, and “Rise Up” by Andra Day.

Podcasts are also inspiring new confidence and self-acceptance. The most popular shows worldwide to date are Unlocking Us with Brené Brown, The Mindset Mentor, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, The Self Love Fix, and Radio Headspace.

And trainer Jeanette Jenkins’s tracklist Jeanette Jenkins’ Stretch. Yoga. Playlist supports listeners as they stretch physically and mentally. “For the first 60 minutes of this playlist, I picked some of my favorite R&B, soul, and reggae songs with positive, uplifting lyrics and vibes that will put you in a great mood,” Jeanette explained. “The second half of this playlist is a compilation of some of my favorite instrumental Buddhattitude songs, which can help you release your mind and just be present in your body during your movement practice or meditation. It has the perfect ending—ocean waves and nature sounds—for a final kiss to your spirit and soul.”

Whether this year is all about building physical or mental strength or sticking with self-care, check out the Spotify At Home hub for mood-boosting mindfulness, fitness, and wellness playlists.

Spotify and Peloton Partner to Help You Break a Sweat Without Missing a Beat

November 3, 2021

Whether you’re just warming up or at the peak of your fitness routine, the right song can change your entire workout—as can the right instructor. This is something both Spotify and Peloton know well: Working out is one of the top listening moments on Spotify, and music is vital to the Peloton experience. 

We saw this last year when Peloton Instructors Olivia Amato and Kendall Toole introduced two new guided musical fitness experiences on Peloton that were paired to the sounds of Spotify’s Power Hour playlist. We also introduced the Track Love feature, which allows fitness buffs to save their favorite Spotify tunes as they sweat. Now Spotify and Peloton are taking their partnership to the next level, combining their strengths to bring fans the very best of fitness and audio.

Starting today, Peloton is taking center stage on Spotify’s Workout Hub. The fitness brand now has a dedicated Curated by Peloton shelf within the hub that showcases seven playlists from their world-class Instructors and popular fitness disciplines. They include Running by Peloton, Tunde Oyeneyin’s Playlist, Strength by Peloton, and more. These curated playlists offer an inside look into the songs featured in class, as well as the Instructors who teach with music that’s perfect for any workout. In addition to Tunde, this month we showcase the playlists of a diverse group of superstar Peloton Instructors, including Peloton’s VP of Fitness Programming, Robin Arzón, Tread and Strength Instructor Adrian Wiliams, Yoga Instructor Mariana Fernández, and Cycling and Strength Instructor Ally Love. 

To celebrate, we curated co-branded workout classes with Peloton featuring songs from some of our most popular playlists, like Today’s Top Hits, Door Knockers, Lofi Beats, Indigo, and Baila Reggaeton, to play across their programming. Whether you’re gearing up for Cycling, Tread, Strength, or Yoga, you can work out to the top tunes through these new classes on Peloton. 

Not sure where to start? Try signing into your Spotify account and then taking the new “Find Your Instructor” quiz. Based on a few quick questions and listening behavior, listeners can find out which Peloton Instructor’s music tastes best matches their own. The personalized pairings make a harmonious connection based on a listener’s workout goals and favorite beats.

And speaking of Instructors, For the Record had a conversation that will get your heart racing. We spoke with one of Peloton’s most challenging and motivating Cycling and Bike Bootcamp Instructors, Tunde Oyeneyin, about the music that keeps her energized.

For newcomers to Peloton, how would you describe your class and the experience?

I like to say, “I will always push you, but I will never let you fall.” I love teaching challenging classes because I love being the vessel that provides people with access to an even greater version of themselves. When people unclip after a class with me, they feel like they just achieved more than they thought they were capable of.

How does music fit into your classes and your approach to teaching?

What makes a class is the structure, the sound, the music. Saying the right thing at the right moment. All of it is what builds the show. 

Who I am musically—my taste, my choice, my love for music—I think that is part of what I’m known for at Peloton. People come to me for a couple of different reasons: If they want somebody to motivate the hell out of them, if they’re looking to be challenged, and if they want a really great playlist. The music on my playlist is definitely a factor that draws people in. And I think sometimes people may not necessarily want the challenge, but they’re so addicted to the playlist that that usually pulls them in. I’m very intentional. In order to do what I am requiring of you, what I’m asking of you, you have to have a soundtrack that propels you. 

Music is the drive. My hope is always that I pulled songs and arranged them in an order that allows you to untap and reach for that day’s best.

Can you walk us through how you pick the music for your classes?

I spend a lot of time on the music front. I’m definitely an Instructor that leads with music. I think the music creates the tone. The best classes are like a really great book—there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. There are ebbs and flows. Every moment can’t be the highest moment, the hardest moment. There needs to be balance. So I use the music to not only balance, but also to tell a story.

And then the BPM, or beats per minute, of a track really helps to create the program, whether we’re on a flat road or the biggest hill of our lives. Life isn’t flat, meaning there are highs and lows, there are peaks and valleys. I try to use music to illustrate that as I program the class.

Do you have a go-to artist or song to bring an energy boost at the end of class?

Beyoncé, Drake, and Ariana Grande are among my list of go-to artists. People who ride with me know that if I play “Lose My Breath” by Destiny’s Child and then anything by Outkast, Missy Elliot, or DMX—if you see that as a finisher—it’s probably a crazy class.

What are you listening to outside of the Peloton studio?

I think people would be shocked to know how much house music I love outside of my Peloton playlist. I’m also a big fan of alternative music, like I love The Killers. I love Coldplay. I’ve got a wildly eclectic taste in music. I think it does come across on the bike. I play a pretty vast amount of artists. Everything from hip-hop and pop to rock, Latin, and dance. But in my personal world, it becomes even more eclectic. House is my go-to a lot—and good ’90s R&B, like Ms. Lauryn Hill and Brandy.

When did you begin to love music?

I’ve always loved sound. I’ve always loved dancing. I think that movement is a celebration of life. And if movement is the celebration of life, then music is the vessel that brings that celebration. I grew up in a Nigerian household. My parents are Nigerian, so the drum is like my spirit.

Do you have any advice for people who might be a little intimidated jumping into a class or getting on a bike?

Do it! Do it anyway! Don’t allow your fear to steer. The beauty of uncertainty is infinite possibility. Embrace the uncertainty.

What are you waiting for? Jump, ride, or stretch your way into a new fitness routine. Explore the Curated by Peloton shelf for musical inspiration, and find out if you and Tunde share the same eclectic taste by taking our quiz at https://www.onepeloton.com/spotify. 

*Take our quiz from Canada here, Australia here, and the U.K. here.

Run to Spotify’s Workout Hub for All-New Celebrity-Inspired Playlists

March 29, 2021

Ever finished a workout class, then DMed the instructor to ask for the pitch-perfect mix they played during your ride? Or maybe you’ve found yourself struggling to create the perfect playlist to help you get motivated for a run and wished you had someone (or a studio) to do it for you. 

Look no further. Whether you’re a gym aficionado or pilates pro, or are settling in for savasana, Spotify’s Workout Hub is now home to playlists from some of the top fitness instructors and brands, so your every workout can have the ultimate soundtrack.

Head to Spotify’s Workout Hub to hear these all-new playlists: 

What’s more, you can even work out to the same tunes as your favorite celebrities. Check out playlists from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and First Lady Michelle Obama. 

The ever-growing fitness industry has continued to shift to digital and virtual on-demand experiences, so we did the same, revamping our fitness music editorial offerings to help consumers work up a sweat with the ultimate soundtrack. Earlier this year, we reintroduced our Workout Hub, creating a more organized and user-friendly version of our existing content. 

Now, with our even more updated hub, Spotify can be the one-stop destination for fitness fanatics everywhere. So, lace up your sneakers or grab a yoga mat, then crank up the music: It’s time for your next workout.

Getting in the Zone: How Fitness Can Step Up Your Gaming

January 22, 2021

From everyday enthusiasts to esports professionals, the gaming industry surged in 2020. This growth also increased competition, challenging esports’ premier athletes and novice gamers alike to find ways beyond the screen to level up their play.

Enter Jasper Schellens, a fitness trainer and gamer who is shedding light on how gamers can sharpen their competitive edge with a healthy and active IRL lifestyle. “In my opinion, both mental and physical wellness are very important in the competitive world of esports,” he told For the Record. “Not only is it important to be on top of your game for hours on end, you have to be mentally strong to withstand the pressure from outside.” 

Jasper, who is a fitness coach for the professional esports organization FaZe Clan, looks at the gamers he works with like any other sport’s class of elite athletes. “A lot of pro gamers are actually very talented athletes inside and outside of the game,” says Jasper. “They’re driven and understand that hard work leads to improvement.” 

Still, you don’t need to belong to the upper echelons of the esports community to reap the benefits of a fitness routine—Jasper is looking to show that any gamer, even beginners, can improve their virtual performance by taking care of their physical and mental health. Jasper is even teaming up with YouTuber and Twitch streamer Marcella de Bie for a livestream workout class. 

For Marcella, wellness encompasses more than just consistent trips to the gym. She says getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep, staying hydrated, and taking time to unwind are essential to keeping a healthy mindset, which is key for gaming. “I find it very important to be in a good mental state when playing or streaming games,” she says. “You can’t sit behind a PC for hours a day without doing something that calms your mind and helps you relax.” 

If you’re looking to take control of your fitness, it doesn’t need to begin with a top-to-bottom lifestyle overhaul. Gaming sessions can be long and intense, so Jasper recommends trying to get up and move around every 30 minutes to an hour when possible. This is a good tip for players and really anyone who may be working from home and spending a lot of time in front of a screen. Outside of gaming, the coach suggests committing to at least 30 active minutes daily, like a long walk or easy jog, while tuned in to Jasper’s favorite gaming podcasts, The CouRage and Nadeshot Show or Mom’s Basement.

If you’re ready to up the intensity, Jasper gave For the Record a few gamer-specific workout tips. “Gamers tend to lean forward, especially when it comes to clutch moments,” he says. “So some exercises and stretches that allow you to work on your posture are very important.” Try Jasper’s suggestions: Loosen up with some stretches like child’s pose, cat-cow pose, and neck retraction. Next, he suggests some gym exercises like:

  • Face pulls: “One of the best exercises to train your rear deltoids which can be a huge factor to good posture. I’d recommend it on a cable machine with a rope attachment. Another fun way to try is with a barbell, using a very wide grip to pull the bar directly to your face.”
  • Pull-Ups: “A staple back exercise which will help with overall back development! There are a ton of variations that help you target different parts of the back. I recommend doing a wider or neutral grip to start off with—assisted if needed!”
  • Reverse Fly: “Another great exercise for the rear delts & lower trapezius. You can do this exercise with a cable or dumbbells.”

Behind every great workout is a high-energy, heart-pumping playlist. Jasper likes to break a sweat to Tiesto and NF, with an emphasis on inspiring lyrics to soundtrack his bigger lifts. Marcella focuses on rhythm, preferring to listen to hip-hop and hardstyle EDM tracks when she’s gaming and exercising. 

Ready to get your heart rate up? On Sunday January 24 at 10 AM PT  / 1 PM ET, join Jasper (http://twitch.tv/xfazejasper) and Marcella (http://twitch.tv/nysira) on Twitch for a livestream workout. 

Find new music for gaming or your workout routine with Jasper’s takeover of our Start Select playlist, which sits alongside an ever-growing platform of curated gaming playlists, gaming-centric podcasts, and Original Game Soundtracks as part of Spotify’s Gaming Hub.  

Celebrity Trainer and Fitness Podcast Host Don Saladino Spills His Favorite Workout Songs, Podcasts, and Tips

January 7, 2020

If you’ve seen any of the Captain America, Avengers, or Wolverine movies, you’ve likely noticed Don Saladino’s handiwork. The celebrity trainer and entrepreneur works on strength, conditioning, and overall wellness with television and movie stars—from Ryan Reynolds to Blake Lively and Emily Blunt—to help them improve their performance physiques.

Don was a fitness trainer for more than twenty years, but since 2000 he’s been a business owner, brand strategist, and entrepreneur as well. At this point, training is the easy part. He also hosts two fitness podcasts and is a self-proclaimed music buff who tailors what’s playing to his clientele. For example, he knows to blast Pearl Jam when John Krasinski comes in for a workout, and recommends Led Zeppelin for actor Billy Crudup’s reps. For Don’s own workouts, he likes to stream Metallica albums from beginning to end. (He also says one can’t go wrong with ’90s grunge.)

We asked Don (between reps) to make a podcast playlist for us and grabbed a few music and workout tips from him as well—just in time to help you stick with your New Year’s fitness resolution.

How have you seen music help people during workouts?

I’ve educated myself in the last 20 years on fitness, anatomy, and kinesiology (the study of body movement) from the best doctors and coaches. But part of what I do, as important as that is, is play good music. Music’s a big driving force to a workout. Not everyone comes in having a good day, but music is the one thing you can throw at someone where, no matter how bad their day is, you can almost hit that reset button and get them to put a smile on their face, get into a little bit of a groove, and develop a little bit of a rhythm. Once a person starts picking up that energy and momentum, you can really accomplish something.

This year, Spotify’s data showed that health and fitness podcast listening increased 145% in the past year on our platform. Why do you think people are turning to podcasts to get information about health and fitness?

First off, I think listening to podcasts is a great way to fill time. I have an hour commute every morning on the train, and podcasts are an educational, entertaining way to be able to fill that. It’s so easy now with our phones and wireless headphones to just connect anywhere and become a smarter person. We’re also more aware of time management. If I’m on the train two hours a day, man, that’s 10 hours a week where I can listen to a different author or a different podcast or get educated on a different area. That’s really doing a lot of good self-help stuff for me.

Plus, we’re in a much more health-conscious society now. I mean, it is amazing. Twenty, 30 years ago, we weren’t paying attention to organic farming. We weren’t paying attention to how crops were being made or how important the purity of olive oil is—everyone just thought olive oil was healthy. (The other day I listened to a great podcast about olive oil, so it’s on my mind.) So the combination of downtime and connectivity, wanting to be educated, and the move towards health-consciousness all factor in.

Tell us about the podcasts you host—Reps for Muscle and Fitness and D&D Fitness Radio Podcast—what can listeners get out of these? What sort of episodes did you include on your podcast playlist?

Muscle and Fitness magazine brought me in to help elevate the educational platform for their listeners. We really wanted to go out there and not only just get fitness people talking about sets and reps, but we wanted to get the best nutritionists, the best doctors, talking about wellness as well. There are so many skeptics out there about gluten free or about intermittent fasting or about the ketogenic tide.

When you listen to the full podcast playlist, you’ll get points of view from well-educated experts like nutritionists, doctors, and trainers, as well as a level of entertainment from celebrities like Randy Couture, Zach Levi, and Liev Schreiber.

What are three wellness tips that anyone at any fitness level can incorporate into their New Year’s wellness resolution?

Sleep is number one. When we don’t fall into that realm of that seven to nine hours of good quality sleep at night, it impacts our entire body, including hormone function. If your hormone function is off, you’re not going to have a high level of energy, and you’re also not going to be able to burn an appropriate amount of fat. Your strength level is not going to be optimal and everything with your training’s going to drop.

Hydration is number two. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. That’s going to set you up for proper digestion, better hormone function, better sleep, better energy, and a better way to metabolize foods.

Then, I think from an exercise standpoint, stop thinking that you need to spend 60 to 90 minutes a day at the gym. If you’re someone who hates the gym, but you can get in there for 15 minutes, just aim to break a sweat for 10-15 minutes a day. That is enough.

One bonus tip is to always fact-check—whether you’re listening to a fitness podcast or hiring a new coach, make sure the credentials are good and you’re getting accurate information about your health and workout.

Finally—for a question that takes us out of the gym—what is your go-to karaoke song?

“Faithfully” by Journey. I think it’s the hardest karaoke song to sing on the planet. My son’s a very good singer and I challenged him to sing it. He’s got a much better voice than I do and he’s almost nailing it right now. He’s 11. I’m trying to see if he can do a much better job than I did. We’ve been having a great time with it. I challenge anyone—if you can hit that song on all notes, you’ve got it together.

Take a listen to Don’s fitness-filled podcast playlist below for expert takes on wellness and working out.

These are Spotify’s Top Workout & Wellness Trends – Plus 2020 Predictions to Help Kick-Start Your Resolutions

December 31, 2019

As we enter the New Year—or better yet, new decade—there are endless ways to get on that fitness, wellness, or self-care resolution. Since there are plenty of songs, podcasts, and playlists dedicated to helping people achieve their wellness goals on Spotify, we took a look at how listeners have been using music and podcasts to stay on track. Plus, we made some predictions for what trends the new year will bring.

So, with more than 54 million workout-themed playlists on Spotify, what songs do listeners sweat to the most? Eminem’s “‘Till I Collapse” is the most-streamed track on workout lists at the moment. Ed Sheeran’s “I Don’t Care” with Justin Bieber is second highest, followed by Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey,” “If I Can’t Have You” by Shawn Mendes, and “Beautiful People” by Ed Sheeran and Khalid.

It turns out that our listeners have a particular workout preference—running. Spotify listeners around the world have created more running playlists than any other workout type. Yoga follows in popularity, so you can be sure listeners are staying flexible as well.

We found that people want to learn about wellness from podcasts, too. Listening in the fitness and wellness podcast genre increased 145% in the past year. Plus, listeners are falling asleep—and in love—with sleep podcasts. The most popular podcast in the health and fitness category is Sleepy, where host Otis Gray reads classic stories to help listeners doze off. Is this what sweet dreams are made of?

As for 2020 predictions, we have reason to believe there’s going to be more meditating than ever before. We saw a 113% increase in streams of meditation playlists in the past year, higher than any other workout or wellness type.

Plus, we feel self-love will continue to reign supreme, with pump-up empowerment anthems like Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next,” Lizzo’s “Good as Hell,” and Hailee Steinfeld’s “Love Myself,” popular on self-care playlists. These powerful women are here to say You’ve got this.

Keep up the motivation with even more workout and wellness trends:


Download the infographic here.

Get inspired by our Wellness hub or get your heart racing with Spotify’s most-followed workout playlist, Beast Mode.

Keep Your Fitness Resolution with the World’s Top Workout Music

December 31, 2018

Admit it: Music plays a vital role in making your workout bearable. And as you bid farewell to 2018 and usher in a brand new year, resetting your fitness regime might be on your mind more than ever. So, whether you play hardcore dance beats or punk rock while lifting weights, running on the treadmill, or exhaling in child’s pose, be sure that good music goes hand in hand with your new year’s resolution.

With 43.5 million workout-themed playlists on Spotify, we get a kick out of checking in annually to see which songs are surfacing as the top motivators for our listeners, as well as where in the globe people are most physically active.

Perhaps due to the intensely motivational lyrics of Eminem’s “’Till I Collapse,” that track is, for the third year in a row, the top global song of all time for getting through that run or spin cycling class. And while Finland is the most active country in terms of the amount of workout music it streams, Sweden is the most zen, based on the Swedes’ enthusiasm for yoga-themed playlists.

Curiously, an area where we saw growth in 2018 was in the number of cryotherapy/ice-bath-themed playlists. It seems people are getting into the chill of this practice, which involves exposure to very cold temperatures in an effort to heal tissue. And the top songs in these playlists are—surprise!—Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” and Foreigner’s “Cold As Ice.”

Let’s step away from the cold for now, though, and warm up to the numbers:

Looking for the perfect playlist to light a fire after all that eggnog? Check out some of Spotify’s top workout playlists like Beast Mode, Motivation Mix, and Hype. Happy sweating!