With the 2016 Summer Olympics underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, what better way to get you in the mood for the biggest sporting spectacle on earth than a motivational playlist.
When it comes to workout music, everyone likes something different, whether it’s a rap tune or a dance track. But at the heart of these uplifting, inspirational anthems is this fact: almost anything that's catchy and has a good beat will do the job.
Here are 11 songs to get you off the couch, go the extra mile and push your fitness limits. Listen to the whole Spotify list here.
Kanye West – “Stronger”
The 2007 song samples Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” and the chorus is based on a famous quote by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche: “What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
Avicii – “Levels”
The global hit by the 26-year-old Swedish house DJ, aka Tim Bergling, contains a vocal snippet from Etta James’s 1962 gospel-inspired song “Something's Got a Hold on Me.”
Skrillex feat. Sirah – “Bangarang”
The high-energy record is a collection of blips, bursts and chopped up rap vocals, all coming at you in waves.
KDA feat. TinieTempah and Katy B – “Turn The Music Louder (Rumble)”
The London-based house music producer and DJ has remixed everyone from Vaults to CHVRCHES. But it’s this club track, a reworked version of his 2015 song “Rumble,” that led him to the top of the British charts.
Netsky feat. Macklemore – “Rio (Remix)”
The Belgian drum ‘n’ bass producer(real name Boris Daenen) has teamed up with Macklemore for a new version of his 2015 single, in time for the Games. Netsky will also be heading to Brazilto act as a musical ambassador for the Belgian team.
2 Unlimited – “Get Ready (Rap Version Edit)”
The classic track by the Dutch group is one of the most frequently played songs at sporting events around the world. It has also been used in sports-themed films such as Space Jam andBring It On.
Jungle – “Time”
This summer party favorite by London-based producers Tom McFarland and Joshua Lloyd-Watson, childhood skater friends from Shepherd’s Bush, features elements of 70s funk and 80s soul by British groups such as Fine Young Cannibals.
Katy Perry – “Rise”
Recorded by the American singer as an anthem for NBC Sports’ coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics, “Rise” is a mid-tempo electronic track with lyrics thattouch on the themes of victory and determination.
Rizzle Kicks– “Skip To The Good Bit”
The second single from the English hip hop duo’s second studio album uses the melody of the 1990 song “Unbelievable” by EMF.
Groove Armada – “Superstylin’”
Nominated for a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2003, the track mixes house music with touches of dancehall, reggae, speed garage and dub.
Dizzee Rascal and Armand Van Helden– “Bonkers”
Despite initially having a strong dislike for house music, the British rapper enjoyed putting the track together with the American DJ. He even performed the song live during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics as part of a montage of British pop music.
See historic photos of Helsinki Airport, which was originally built for the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics.