Tag: workout

Spotify and Strava Team Up for a First-Place Integration

April 12, 2023

Spotify users turn to audio at various moments throughout their day, and especially when they’re working out. Whether they’re looking for entertainment or motivation, we want them to have a seamless experience switching between whatever they’re listening to on Spotify and their favorite workout tracking app. So we’re announcing a new integration with Strava that enables users to easily stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks while tracking their workout activities on Strava.  

Starting today, listeners can play, pause, resume, skip, and browse Spotify favorites from the record screen on Strava. This new integration removes the need for Spotify users to switch between apps and allows them to easily tap into the motivation that gets them moving. 

“One of our biggest goals at Spotify is to be everywhere our listeners are—whether that’s on a run, in the gym, or anyplace in between,” said Ian Geller, VP of Business Development at Spotify. “This integration with Strava is another way we’re moving with our listeners and allowing them to seamlessly connect to the music and audio they love.” 

Some of those favorites topping user-generated workout playlists include rap artists Drake, 21 Savage, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. “I’m Good (Blue)” by Bebe Rehxa and David Guetta, “INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow)” by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow, and “Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras were some of the top-streamed workout songs from the past month.*

“Over time, the consumption of music has evolved dramatically from CDs to streaming, which has opened the door for audio to inspire us in ways they couldn’t before,” said Mateo Ortega, Strava’s Vice President of Connected Partnerships. “We’re excited to partner with a global leader like Spotify to seamlessly integrate music and movement on the platform. This new feature further solidifies Strava’s position at the center of connected fitness and continues to demonstrate the power of the global community of active people on Strava.”

As an added bonus, Strava is taking over our widely popular Workout playlist starting April 20. Mark your calendar to check out these Strava-curated sounds and get moving.

*Data reflects top-streamed tracks and artists on user-generated playlists with the terms “workout,” “run,” “exercise,” “cardio,” “cycling,” and “gym” in the U.S, the U.K., BR, IN, FR, SP, JP, and DE between March 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023

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.

Brooke Wells and NOBULL Bring Beast Mode to the CrossFit Games

July 22, 2021

On July 27, 2021 hundreds of athletes from around the world will meet in Madison, Wisconsin, to compete in the 15th annual CrossFit Games. The event tests athletes in a variety of unannounced fitness tasks, from long-distance swims to handstand walking to rope climbs. Those who are competing have to be prepared for anything in order to earn the title of “Fittest on Earth.”

For this year’s Games, Spotify Advertising is partnering with global training brand NOBULL and athlete Brooke Wells for specialty audio and video ads, as well as a sponsorship of Spotify’s most popular workout playlist: Beast Mode.

Brooke, who has qualified for and competed in the Games since 2015, knows that the road to the competition requires unrelenting hard work and dedication. She’s logged long hours of daily training to get her body and mind prepared for the grueling tasks she will face in Madison.

Ahead of the Games, For the Record caught up with Brooke to learn what it’s like to compete and what music helps her train her best.

You spend so much time training for the CrossFit Games. How does it feel to finally arrive at the event?

It’s extremely exciting and a bit of a relief to finally make it to this point in the season. Qualifying for the CrossFit Games is no guarantee, and the training is extremely demanding. I am so ready to be back on the competition floor in front of an in-person crowd and show everyone how hard I’ve worked.

You’ve talked about how preparing for the competition isn’t just physical but also mental. How do you get in the right mindset before you compete?

I embrace a feeling of focus and calm just before I walk out onto the competition floor. There is so much physical preparation that goes into CrossFit competition, but the work is mental too. I’ve worked hard on both elements throughout my career. When I’m about to compete, I trust that I’m exactly where I need to be and that I’ve done the hard work to get myself there.

How does music play a role in your workouts? 

Music plays a very important role during my training sessions. We spend long hours in the gym and sometimes the right song will help keep me in the right mindset. My training partners know I’m the DJ of our gym and that I’ll keep the energy up!

What type of music do you listen to when you train? 

I love high-energy music that matches my training intensity. I listen to a mix of EDM and hip-hop. Some of my current gym staples are Drake, Future, Kevin Gates, and SAINt JHN.

Do you prefer different genres for different types of workouts? 

I like music to match my mood. Sometimes that could be a lifting session to country music, or something higher intensity for a quick metcon [metabolic conditioning]. Occasionally a podcast will help distract me during a long conditioning run or bike. 

What are your go-to Spotify playlists to listen to while training?

My go-to Spotify workout playlist is Beast Mode. I am so excited to be able to take over this playlist during the CrossFit Games. The Beast Mode playlist is an iconic workout playlist, with hundreds of songs that are fueling millions of people’s workouts. I love knowing that the other people listening to Beast Mode are putting in the hard work just like me. 

How do you like to wind down from a day of competition? Is there any music that helps you reset and relax?

Recovery is so important, especially during competition. I have a lot of tools to help my body physically recover, and music plays a role in helping my mind wind down so I can reset and be prepared for what the next day will bring. It could be meditating to something like Deep Focus, or anything that has a slower pace. 

Get ready for the CrossFit Games by streaming Spotify’s Beast Mode playlist below.

 

 

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.  

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!