In 2024, rock workout music made an unexpected comeback, becoming the second most-played genre in fitness apps, according to Feed.fm’s 2024 Wellness & Workout Music Report. After years of pop and hip-hop dominating gym soundtracks, guitar-driven anthems surged back into the spotlight, proving that rock’s raw energy is the perfect match for intense training sessions.
From Green Day and Heart to Nova Twins and DJO, rock’s presence in fitness isn’t just a nostalgic throwback, it is a full-fledged resurgence. Strength training, HIIT, and endurance workouts all benefit from the high-energy riffs, pounding drums, and emotional power that a rock workout playlist delivers. But why now? What makes rock the go-to genre for gym-goers looking for an extra push?
Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day shutterstock.com / Aija Lehtonen
Why rock music is gaining popularity
Rock music continues to thrive, bridging generations by combining iconic legacy acts with fresh emerging talent. Green Day recently secured the #4 spot on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy nomination, alongside up-and-coming Spiritbox and Knocked Loose, who also received Grammy nods and charted on the Billboard 200. My Chemical Romance is captivating fans with a sold-out 10-date stadium tour, while the When We Were Young festival added an extra day due to overwhelming fan demand.
With 65 years of punk rock and nearly a century of rock and roll, depending on how you define blues rock, the genre's influence remains as strong as ever. Fans of the early 2000s' fourth wave of pop-punk are now celebrating 15- and 20-year anniversaries of albums that defined their youth, with the core demographic aging between 30 and 45. Meanwhile, a new wave of artists continues to rise, fueled by the "Travis Barker Effect" and the influence of hip-hop acts adopting pop-punk/rock sounds and aesthetics, especially following the MGK-led pop-punk revival in recent years.
Listen to the Rock Workout Music for 2025 playlist:
The best rock workout music fuels intensity and focus
Rock has always been about big sounds, big emotions, and high-energy releases—all things that naturally align with tough workouts. The genre’s ability to build tension and explode into powerful choruses mirrors the structure of a great training session, making it an ideal match for lifting, sprinting, and pushing through plateaus.
Heavy riffs and pounding drum beats provide a steady intensity that keeps movement feeling powerful, while the grit and aggression in rock vocals tap into a primal kind of motivation. For workouts that demand focus and drive, rock workout music delivers in a way that polished pop tracks sometimes can’t.
Fitness trainers and gym-goers took notice in 2024, incorporating more rock workout music playlists into their routines as a way to channel adrenaline and break past limits. The resurgence wasn’t just about going heavier or faster, it was about using music to create a mental edge that made workouts feel more intense and rewarding.
Turnstile perform at the Sick New World music festival shutterstock.com/Geoffrey Clowes
A shift in workout culture made rock music a clear choice
In 2024, variety in workout music became more important than ever. The same high-BPM pop tracks weren’t cutting it for everyone. People wanted something different, something with emotion, grit, and unpredictability. Using rock music for workouts, with its shifting tempos and dramatic builds, provided a refreshing alternative to the usual fitness soundtracks.
Recognizability also played a role in rock workout music’s resurgence. According to our 2024 survey, 77% of users believe it’s important to recognize the music they’re hearing during a workout. Rock, whether it was classic anthems from Poison and Joan Jett, or newer tracks from Spiritbox and Turnstile, offered that familiarity while still feeling fresh and high-energy.
This shift wasn’t just happening in the gym—rock had a big year across festivals, streaming, and pop culture. The renewed love for guitar-driven sounds outside of fitness naturally spilled over into workout playlists, creating the perfect storm for rock’s return to training sessions.
Rock’s future in fitness music
With rock workout music climbing the ranks, it’s clear that listeners are craving something different from their workout music. The demand for high-energy, emotionally charged tracks isn’t slowing down, and as fitness continues to evolve, rock is poised to remain a major player in fitness soundtracks.
This isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a reflection of how music shapes movement, motivation, and mindset. Rock’s resurgence proves that sometimes, all you need to push through a tough workout is the right song and a loud guitar.
📖 For more insights on last year’s biggest fitness music trends, check out the full Feed.fm 2024 Wellness & Workout Music Report.
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