The 28 Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

Classic rock has held its own place in the world of music despite the onslaught of time. Here are the 28 best classic rock workout songs that you can groove to while working on your body.

Many gym-goers love to pair music and exercise to make their training entertaining. Music also has several benefits for working out. Every activity has a unique and natural rhythm, like stroking a pedal or even inhaling and exhaling while in Yoga. When any exercise is combined with music with the right rhythm, it helps get the right pace.

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

Listening to classic rock music while you exercise is a great way to motivate and catch the right pace, especially for cardio workouts. You should keep reading this article to learn about the best classic rock songs for a workout.

How Does Rock Music Help With Workout?

Music has many benefits in various areas of life. According to a study, people who listen to music in the 125 to 140 beats per minute range while working out showed signs of steady heart rates. Some benefits of rock music on exercise includes:

  • It makes you want to move, as most classic rock music is catchy.
  • It improves your performance and endurance, and motivational music helps you better in this field.
  • It allows your body to move effectively because the beats of rock music are energetic.
  • It helps increase energy and workout output.
  • It is an excellent way of distraction from boredom and discomfort while you exercise.
  • It can elevate your mood and motivate you.

Best Classic Rock Songs For Working Out

#1. “Barracuda,” Heart

  • Energy 70 
  • Key E Minor
  • 137 BPM

This upbeat song has a tempo of 137 BPM. This is a perfect classic song to listen to while working out. You can also use this song as half-time at 69 BPM or double-time at 274 BPM. This track by Heart runs 4 minutes and 22 seconds long. 

#2. “Fat Bottomed Girls,” Queen

  • Energy 64 
  • Key D Major
  • 176 BPM

This 4 minutes and 16 seconds long track is suitable for your workout session. The Queen released this album in 1978. It is very danceable and spreads high energy. You can use this song with a tempo BPM of 176 as half-time at 88 BPM.   

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#3. “Walk This Way,” Aerosmith

  • Energy 73 
  • Key F Major
  • 109 BPM

This happy song by Aerosmith has a tempo of 109 BPM with an F key in a primary mode. You can listen to this song at half-time at 55 BPM for light exercise and double-time at 218 BPM for an intense workout.

#4. “Sharp Dressed Man,” ZZ Top

  • Energy 86
  • Key F Major
  • 125 BPM

This 4 minutes and 18 seconds long song was remastered by ZZ Top with a tempo of 125 BPM in 2008. You can use double-time at 250 BPM and half-time at 63 BPM for your exercise. While listening to this song from ZZ Top, you will feel high energy running through your body.   

#5. “Light My Fire,” The Doors

  • Energy 73
  • Key D♯/E♭ Minor
  • 125 BPM

The Doors released this song with a tempo of 125 BPM. You can use this 7 minutes long track double-time at 250 BPM or half-time at 63 BPM. It has high energy, ideal for a workout. 

#6. “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd

  • Energy 61
  • Key G Major
  • 98 BPM

This Happy and energetic song by Lynyrd Skynyrd has a tempo of 98 BPM. You can double-time this song at 196 BPM. This song is 4 minutes and 44 seconds long and somewhat danceable because of its time signature of 4 beats per bar.

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#7. “Won’t Back Down,” Eminem

  • Energy 95
  • Key D Major
  • 90 BPM

Eminem released this energetic song in 2010. It has a tempo of 90 BPM. You can use this song for double-time at 180 BPM for working out. This 4 minutes and 26 seconds long track has D Major key and is somewhat danceable. 

#8. “All Right Now,” Free

  • Energy 47
  • Key D Major
  • 120 BPM

The Free released this happy song with a tempo of 120 BPM. Many people use this song for double-time at 240 or half-time at 60 BPM. It has average energy and is very danceable. This 5 minutes and the 31-second long track is a good workout. 

#9. “My Generation,” The Who

  • Energy 78
  • Key D Minor 
  • 97 BPM

The Who released the stereo version of this song on December 03, 1965. The song is 3 minutes and 19 seconds long with a tempo of 97 BPM. You can use this song to move your body as it has high energy and is danceable because it has a time signature of 4 beats per bar.  

#10. “Rock and Roll,” Led Zeppelin

  • Energy 89
  • Key A Major
  • 170 BPM

Led Zeppelin remastered this song with a tempo of 170 BPM. It is an upbeat and very energetic song that runs 3 minutes and 41 seconds long. You can listen to this song by Led Zeppelin while you work out using half-time at 85 BPM.  

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#11. “Blackbird,” The Beatles

  • Energy 13
  • Key G Major
  • 94 BPM

The Beatles released this song in late 1968. This 2-minute long song is sorrowful with a tempo of 94 BPM. You can listen to it when you want something different. You can also use this song for double-time at 188 BPM.   

#12. “Fly Like an Eagle,” Steve Miller Band

  • Energy 75
  • Key A Minor
  • 100 BPM

This upbeat song has a tempo of 100 BPM. You can use this song by Steve Miller Band for double-time at 200 BPM. It has high energy, perfect for upper body and lower body workout.

#13. “Immigrant Song,” Led Zeppelin

  • Energy 93 
  • Key B Major
  • 113 BPM

This upbeat song by Led Zeppelin has a tempo of 113 BPM. The music runs 2 minutes and 26 seconds with a time signature of 4 beats per bar. This song is very energetic. 

#14. “Walk of Life,” Dire Straits

  • Energy 94
  • Key E Major
  • 172 BPM

This delightful and enjoyable music by Dire Straits has a tempo of 172 BPM. You can use this song for your training at half-time at 86 BPM. This song is very energetic and is 4 minutes and 12 seconds long. 

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#15. “China Grove,” The Doobie Brothers​

  • Energy 91
  • Key A Major
  • 146 BPM

This song is from the ’70s, has high energy, and is very positive. This song by The Doobie Brother has a tempo of 146 BPM. You can use half-time at 73 BPM or double-time at 292 for your exercise.

#16. “Already Gone,” Eagles

  • Energy 81 
  • Key G Major
  • 146 BPM

This upbeat track by Eagles has a tempo of 146 BPM. According to your workout difficulty, you can use this song at double-time at 292 BPM or half-time at 73 BPM. This song is 4 minutes and 15 seconds long and has high energy.

#17. “Don’t Stop Believin,” Journey

  • Energy 75
  • Key E Major
  • 119 BPM

This song by Journey runs 4 minutes and 11 seconds long with a tempo of 119 BPM. It is very energetic and danceable to hear. You can use double-time at 238 BPM and half-time at 60 BPM.

#18. “Slow Ride,” Foghat

  • Energy 59
  • Key D Major
  • 114 BPM

This upbeat song by Foghat has a tempo of 114 BPM. It has average energy and can make your body somewhat movable. You can use double-time at 228 BPM or half-time at 57 BPM.

This track runs 3-minute long.

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#19. “Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen

  • Energy 94 
  • Key E Major
  • 146 BPM

Listen to this positive song when you work out to stay entertained and motivated. This song by Bruce Springsteen has a tempo of 146 BPM. You can use double-time at 292 BPM and half-time at 73 BPM. This song is energetic and 4 and a half minutes long with an E major key.

#20. “Three Wheel Cadillac,” Foghat

  • Energy 80 
  • Key D Major
  • 188 BPM

Foghat released this song with a tempo of 188 BPM. This song has high energy but is not very danceable. You can use half-time at 94 BPM. The track is 3 minutes and 55 seconds long.  

#21. “Eye of the Tiger,” Survivor

  • Energy 60
  • Key A Minor
  • 109 BPM

This track by Survivor has a tempo of 109 BPM. It is 4 minutes and 6-second long. It is very danceable while it has average energy. You can use double-time at 218 BPM and half-time at 55 BPM. 

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#22. “Go Your Own Way,” Fleetwood Mac

  • Energy 81
  • Key F Major
  • 136 BPM

This song by Fleetwood Mac is upbeat and energetic with a tempo of 136 BPM. You can use double-time at 272 BPM and half-time at 68 BPM.

This 3-minute long song had F key major.

#23. “Start Me Up,” Rolling Stones

  • Energy 92
  • Key F Major 
  • 122 BPM

This song by The Rolling Stones is upbeat and has a tempo of 122 BPM. You can use double-time at 244 BPM and half-time at 62 BPM. This 3-minute song has high energy.

#24. “Fortunate Son,” Creedence Clearwater Revival 

  • Energy 66
  • Key C Major
  • 133 BPM

This 2 minutes and 21 seconds long positive song has medium energy but is danceable. It has a tempo of 133 BPM. You can use this song half-time at 67 BPM and double-time at 266 BPM.   

#25. “Soul Sacrifice,” Santana

  • Energy 71
  • Key G Major
  • 136 BPM

This song by Santana has a tempo of 136 BPM and is 6 minutes and 37 seconds long. You can use this song double-time at 272 BPM and half-time at 68 BPM. This track has a high liveliness and is somewhat danceable. 

#26. “Call Me The Breeze,” Lynyrd Skynyrd

  • Energy 64
  • Key D Major 
  • 93 BPM

This classic rock music track by Lynyrd Skynyrd is very positive and runs 5-minute long. This song has medium energy and is not very danceable. You can use double-time at 186 BPM. 

Best Classic Rock Workout Songs

#27. “We Will Rock You,” Queen​

  • Energy 38 
  • Key B MInor 
  • 81 BPM

This song by Queen has a tempo of 81 BPM. It was released on January 01, 2006, and has a runtime of 2 minutes and 2 seconds. You can use double-time at 162 BPM. This song is in B Key in a minor mode. It has average energy but is a piece of danceable classic rock music.

#28. “Highway To Hell,” AC/DC

  • Energy 91 
  • Key F# Minor
  • 116 BPM

It was released in mid-1979 by AD/DC. This song has a tempo of 116 BPM. It is a very energetic 3 minutes and 28 seconds long song and is somewhat danceable. You can use double-time at 232 BPM and half-time at 58 BPM.

Answers To Some Common Questions About Rock Workout Songs

What are the top 10 workout songs? 

Stronger – Kanye West
Head & Heart – Joel Carry x MNEK
Turn Me On – Triton x Oliver Heldens
Goosebumps – HVME
SAINt JHN – Roses
Tiesto – The Business
Till I Collapse – Eminem
Power – Kanye West
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Remember the Name – Fort Minor x Styles of Beyond

What is the best music to listen to while working out? 

While exercising, you should listen to songs with BPM ranging from 120 to 150. Some classic rock music you can listen to is “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin, “Highway To Hell” by AC/DC, or “Soul Sacrifice” by Santana.

Why is rock music good for working out? 

Rock music has a range of 120 to 140 bpm that matches the average heart rate during a workout. Rock music also helps you keep pace during training as it creates a rhythm response. 
It motivates you and distracts you from discomfort due to an intense workout.

What does Dwayne Johnson listen to while working out?

The Rock listens to his favorite workout playlist containing many super hits songs. He listens to songs including “Till I Collapse,” “Enter Sandman,” and “Iron Man” that help him keep distracted during his high-intensity training. 

A Few Final Words

Many people love to pair music in their every activity. Combining rock music provides you with many benefits as it helps you improve your performance and endurance.

Listen to the best song listed in this article to enjoy your workout session and improve your output. You can also listen to the best classic rock workout playlist created by Spotify.

Thank you for going through our list of the best rock classic rock workout songs. Did we miss out on an important number or a fan favorite? Let us know in the comments so that we can update our list.