Scientific analysis reveals the workout playlist that will keep you running for the LONGEST - after studying the tempo of 500,000 popular gym songs

Curating the perfect playlist is key to getting the most out of your workout, an analysis suggests.

Researchers based in the UK analyzed more than 2,000 of the most popular workout playlists on Spotify, including 450,000 songs, to find out which contained known characteristics of motivational music.

The team examined each song's tempo, loudness, energy, and danceability and then estimated the effect the music would have on heart rate. 

Studies have previously shown that some types of music can increase heart rate, supercharging your workout. 

The faster the heart is beating during exercise, the more oxygenated blood reaches the muscles - meaning you'll find it easier to keep up the pace.

This process also strengthens the lungs and the heart muscle, resulting in benefits for cardiovascular health.  

If you're looking to boost your cardio workouts, the researchers found that songs like 'I'm Good (Blue)' by David Guetta and Bebe Rexha were ideal.

This tune was estimated to result in a heart rate of 128 BPM - which is within the ideal range of 120-140 BPM while exercising. 

Pitbull's 'Time of Our Lives' followed closely behind, with an average BPM of 124. 

For weightlifting, the team found that 130 to 150 BPM is ideal for maintaining energy levels. 

The Killers' hit 'Mr Brightside' was best for this workout, they said, with a BPM of 148. 

More vigorous exercise, such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) training, requires a higher BPM - up to 180.

Harry Styles' 'As It Was' and Taylor Swift's 'Cruel Summer' were closest to this limit, with BPMs of 174 and 170, respectively. 

And to wind down, the researchers recommend lowering your BPM to 60 to 90. The song that got closest to this low end was 'Money Trees' by Kendrick Lamar, with 72 BPM.

Slower tunes like Kendrick Lamar's 'Money Trees' can help your body wind down after exercise by decreasing heart rate

The team based their analysis on previous research showing the impact of certain tempos and beats on heart rate.

In a secondary study the researchers, from fitness brand MiraFit, looked into the popularity of the songs. 'I'm Good (Blue)' was the most played fitness workout jam with 158 appearances. It was followed closely by Outkast's 'Hey Ya!'

The researchers said: 'Music is a great tool to enhance our workouts as it can keep us motivated to push through to the end of our sessions.'

'Party tunes are especially great for this due to their typically upbeat sound, which can give the energy boost needed for our winter workouts.'

'However, the pace of the music we listen to can affect the pace at which we exercise. The tempo of the songs can influence our rhythm and motivation, so it is key to curate the right playlists for how you choose to work out.'

The team used online aggregator Playlist Miner to search for Spotify playlists related to searches such as 'New Year workout' and 'New Year gym.' This came up with 2,351 playlists and 453,784 songs. 

They then used the Spotify-owned tool Sort Your Music to organize the tunes by their tempo, loudness, energy, and danceability, which allowed them to measure BPM.

A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 BPM, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). 

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For moderate activity, such as light cardio, the AHA recommends your target heart rate should be about 50 to 70 percent greater than your resting heart rate. More vigorous activity should be about 70 to 85 percent greater.

The researchers recommended aiming for a 120-140 BPM if you're opting for a light cardio workout such as jogging, a brisk walk, or a spin class. 

'One of the best forms of exercise to help us feel our best time of year is cardio,' the team said. 

'The increased blood flow and movement can help reduce bloating and sluggishness, which the indulgence of Christmas and cold winter days can leave us feeling.'

'I'm Good (Blue)' was the most ideal for cardio, they found, with an estimated BPM of 128.

'Time of Our Lives' also fell into this category, with a 124 BPM.

If you opt for weightlifting, the researchers suggested picking songs that raise your BPM to 130-150. 

'If weightlifting or strength training is your preferred way of exercising, a slightly higher BPM of around 130-150 would be beneficial to increase motivation to push through sets and keep energy levels high on breaks,' the team said.

British artist Casso fell into this range with his TikTok hit 'Prada,' which had 129 appearances and an average BPM of 142. The Killers' 'Mr Brightside' followed closely behind with 124 playlist appearances and a 148 BPM. 

For exercises like high-intensity interval training (HIIT), aim for a higher BPM, around 140 to 180. 

'For high-intensity interval training, it is also key to have a fast tempo in the music we listen to, to maintain high energy levels,' the researchers said. 

They found that pop icon Taylor Swift is best for this kind of workout, as her hit 'Cruel Summer' had an average BPM of 170. 

Additionally, Harry Styles' 'As It Was' had a 174 BPM.

No matter the workout you choose, winding down at the end is key for muscle recovery and bringing your heart rate back down. According to the Mayo Clinic, cooling down also relaxes muscles and helps prevent injury. 

'Alongside exercises that raise our heart rate, slower-paced, body-strength-related practices such as yoga or pilates can also be helpful tools to reduce bloating ahead of any party,' the Miralift researchers wrote. 

'These practices can increase blood flow, help to relieve symptoms of upset digestion, and even help to boost energy.'

The study found that slower-paced hits like Tyler the Creator's 'See You Again' and Kendrick Lamar's 'Money Trees' helped reduce BPM to 79 and 72, respectively.