Electronic dance music (EDM) is emerging as the top motivator for gym-goers looking to break personal fitness records, according to a new study by telehealth company Levity. The research reveals that EDM plays a powerful role in helping individuals overcome training plateaus, keeping energy levels high and workouts consistent.
Levity’s analysis reviewed over 185,000 Spotify tracks from gym-focused and workout playlists. The results show that EDM ranks equally with hip-hop and R&B as the most effective genres for enhancing physical performance during exercise.
EDM Listeners Push Harder and Stay Longer
The data suggests that EDM listeners not only perform better but also train longer. On average, EDM fans stay active for 46 minutes per workout, second only to metal music lovers. Interestingly, metal fans were most likely to max out their lifts, showing a clear link between genre intensity and workout output.
Avicii Tops the Gym Charts
The late Swedish producer Avicii was named the most popular EDM artist among gym enthusiasts. Following closely are Calvin Harris and Tiësto, both renowned for their high-energy beats and festival-ready anthems.
Gym-goers who prefer electronic music also reported higher levels of focus and endurance, reinforcing the genre’s value in creating a productive training environment.
Hip-Hop and Pop Remain Mainstream Favorites
While EDM shines in performance metrics, hip-hop and pop continue to dominate in sheer popularity. These genres appear most frequently in gym playlists across major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Drake takes the lead as the most featured artist, followed by pop superstar Taylor Swift.