From Miley Cyrus to Olivia Rodrigo, female artists dominated 2024 workout soundtracks, shaping the sound of movement and motivation throughout the year. According to our 2024 Wellness & Workout Music Report, 8 out of the 10 most-streamed workout songs came from women—continuing a trend we've seen over the past few years.
But why did female-led tracks perform so strongly? These songs brought empowerment, high-energy beats, and cultural relevance, making them essential for fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers alike. It’s worth noting, for reasons that eclipse the scope of this article, that the men aren’t making as much poppy music these days. Fortunately, tons of talented women are delivering the goods.
Let’s break down the key reasons why women ruled 2024 workout playlists—and how their influence is reshaping fitness music.
1. Female artists dominated the charts—and fitness playlists followed
Pop has long been a go-to genre for workouts, but in 2024, female artists didn’t just dominate fitness music—they set the tone for it.
- Coi Leray’s “Players” and Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” were among the most-streamed workout tracks, bringing confidence and self-empowerment to the forefront.
- Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, and Taylor Swift also had songs defining 2024 workout soundtracks.
The demand for uptempo, beat-driven pop continued, proving that female-led anthems weren’t just about personal expression—they were about energy, motivation, and consistency in movement.
2. Brat and attitude-driven music took over 2024 workout soundtracks
One of the biggest movements in fitness music in 2024 was the rise of Chali XCX's Brat and genre-blending hits.
- Charli XCX’s “360”and Olivia Rodrigo’s “bad idea right?” represented a shift toward high-energy, rebellious pop that added a fresh edge to fitness playlists.
- Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” blended rap, pop, and alternative influences, bringing bold, confident energy into 2024 workout soundtracks.
This wasn’t just about sound—it was about attitude. These tracks fueled a year where music in fitness was just as much about self-expression as it was about movement.
A big part of this shift came from the reclamation of the word "brat" itself, led by Charli XCX and her critically acclaimed album, BRAT. Once a dismissive term, brat was redefined in 2024 as a celebration of confidence, playfulness, and pushing against expectations—a mindset that fit seamlessly into fitness culture. Just like in fashion and pop culture, where hyper-feminine and rebellious aesthetics surged, this brat attitude in workouts represented a break from traditional, serious gym soundtracks. Instead, these songs made movement feel fun, expressive, and even defiant—an attitude that resonated with fitness enthusiasts looking for more than just a beat, but a whole vibe.
3. The cultural influence of female-led music shaped engagement
Fitness music doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it reflects broader cultural and entertainment trends. In 2024, female artists were at the center of major pop culture moments that influenced what people were streaming in workouts.
- Taylor Swift’s 2019 “Cruel Summer” was belatedly released as a chart-dominating single , largely driven by her record-breaking Eras Tour.
- Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night” rode the success of the Barbie movie, which had a massive cultural impact across entertainment and fitness.
- Coi Leray’s “Players” and her collaborations kept her at the top of streaming lists, earning her the title of 2024’s Queen of Fitness Music.
By tapping into recognizable cultural moments, these songs stayed relevant and continued to drive engagement—a key factor in what keeps a song on repeat in fitness spaces.
What this means for the future of workout music
If 2024 workout soundtracks proved anything, it’s that female artists weren’t just leading pop music—they were shaping the way people move. Their influence on fitness playlists is unlikely to fade anytime soon, as confidence-boosting anthems and high-energy pop tracks remain key motivators in workouts.
With cultural trends like brat, nostalgia-driven hits, and genre mashups leading the way, we can expect female artists to continue defining the sound of fitness in 2025 and beyond.
📖 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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