Fitness

A Motivating Playlist to Power Your Morning Workout

Up and at ’em, folks!
Woman tapping smartwatch
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You don’t have to read much about fitness before you inevitably start hearing about the magic of morning workouts. I’ve espoused this idea several times. I love starting my day with exercise, and I  genuinely feel like it sets the right tone for the whole day.  Part of that is because my hour of sweat is usually the only “me time” that I get these days. Another reason is that it usually puts me in a good mood (gets those endorphins pumping, right?) which means I face whatever challenges the day holds with a clearer head and (hopefully) a calmer attitude. 

Having said all that, morning workouts often feel a bit like eating kale. We know it’s good for us, but it just seems so damn hard sometimes. Over the years, I’ve learned that preparation is the key to success. In my bag of tricks: Putting out my clothes, sneakers, and headphones the night before so I can dress in the dark without thinking. Going to bed early (duh). Avoiding social media and emails until after my workout is complete. And making sure I’ve got a killer playlist queued up. 

That’s the idea behind this week’s lineup. The track’s on this list are all upbeat and have quick tempos—but they’ve still got just enough chill to help ease you into the day. I don’t need DJ air horn sounds at six in the morning, but I still need enough of a rhythm to motivate me to move (and not just relax in child’s pose for five minutes—which has happened). On this list, you’ll find remixes from Ed Sheeran and Anderson .Paak, and some go-to favorites, like Justin Bieber’s “Sorry” and Calvin Harris’s “Slide.” As with the other playlists I’ve created, there’s a rough order to this one (a few songs up front to ease you in), but you should feel free to skip around as you see fit. Check out the playlist on Spotify below, or keep scrolling for the complete track list. Up and at ’em, folks!

Full playlist:

  1. “Coast” by Hailee Steinfeld feat. Anderson .Paak
  2. “Cross My Mind, Pt. 2” by A R I Z O N A feat. Kiiara
  3. “One” by Sky Ferreira
  4. “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers, Coldplay
  5. “You and Me” by Flume Remix by Disclosure, Eliza Doolittle
  6. “Pray to God” by Calvin Harris feat. HAIM
  7. "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” by Lizzo
  8. “Galway Girl” by Martin Jensen Remix by Ed Sheeran
  9. “I Wanna Get Better” by Bleachers
  10. “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
  11. “Kids” by Seeb Remix by OneRepublic
  12. “Nights With You” by Cheat Codes Remix by MØ
  13. “Nobody But Me” by The Knocks feat. Cold War Kids
  14. “Move” by DNCE
  15. “Cut to the Feeling” by Carly Rae Jepsen
  16. “Dancing on Glass” by St. Lucia
  17. “Lay Your Head on Me” by Jacques Lu Cont Vocal Mix by Major Lazer, Diplo feat. Marcus Mumford
  18. “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun
  19. “Slide” by Calvin Harris feat. Frank Ocean and Migos
  20. “I’m in Love” by Paul Oakenfold, Aloe Blacc
  21. “Senior Skip Day” by Mac Miller

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