Ready for some Pride Month motivation? We’re here with our 2021 Pride Workout Playlist, a collection of songs to soundtrack your running, lifting, cycling, squats, burpees, planks, stairs, dancing or whatever else you get up to.
In addition to spotlighting LGBTQ+ artists and longtime allies on this exercise playlist, we’re breaking each track down by its energy level, how it makes you feel, what to use it during and which lyrics are the most motivational. Sure, some of these lyrics might’ve been a bit tongue-in-cheek originally, but there’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from them as you get sweaty.
Check out Billboard’s Pride Workout Playlist below. It’s loosely organized with some peaks and valleys, but queue them up in whatever order works for you.
Artist: Janelle Monáe & Jidenna
Song: “Yoga”
How It Feels: Like a flex
Energy level: Solid slow grind
Motivational lyric: “Crown on my head but the world on my shoulder / I’m too much a rebel, never do what I’m supposed to”
Best used: During lifts, squats or – gasp – even yoga
Artist: Rina Sawayama
Song: “Comme Des Garçons (Like the Boys)”
How It Feels: Cool, confident
Energy level: A sultry low-to-mid
Motivational lyric: “Yeah I’m just in it / born to win it / Keep going and going”
Best used: For feelin’ yourself during aerobics
Artist: Mary J. Blige
Song: “Family Affair”
How It Feels: Unstoppable
Energy level: A firm mid-range banger
Motivational lyric: “No more drama in your life / Work real hard to make a dime”
Best used: For getting locked into a solid groove early in the workout
Artist: Madonna
Song: “Jump”
How It Feels: Like hard-earned confidence
Energy level: Solid mid-range
Motivational lyric: “I haven’t got much time to waste, it’s time to make my way”
Best used: With an activity that involves, you know, jumping
Artist: Kim Petras
Song: “I Don’t Want It At All”
How It Feels: Beautifully bratty
Energy level: An elastic mid-range
Motivational lyric: “Give me all of your attention”
Best used: With a lot of leg movement
Artist: Kylie Minogue
Song: “Get Outta My Way”
How It Feels: Assertive, exuberant
Energy level: Mid-to-high
Motivational lyric: “What’s the worst thing that could happen to you? / Take a chance tonight and try something new”
Best used: For pushing yourself up to that next level without going all-out
Artist: Lady Gaga
Song: “Born This Way”
How It Feels: Like freedom
Energy level: High (paws up)
Motivational lyric: “Don’t hide yourself in regret / Just love yourself and you’re set”
Best used: When it’s time to push yourself to the top – and stay there
Artist: Janet Jackson
Song: “Rhythm Nation”
How It Feels: Dedicated, optimistic
Energy level: High as hair in the late ’80s
Motivational lyric: “It’s time to give a damn / Let’s work together”
Best used: To keep the energy up when you’re about to hit a second peak
Artist: Whitney Houston
Song: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”
How It Feels: Like getting out there and living
Energy level: A cheerful high
Motivational lyric: “Don’t you wanna dance? / Say you wanna dance”
Best used: When the energy level is already high and you need another boost to keep it going
Artist: Alex Newell, Jess Glynne and DJ Cassidy ft. Nile Rodgers
Song: “Kill the Lights”
How It Feels: Victorious
Energy level: A bubbling mid-range
Motivational lyric: “Don’t turn away from the heart of the groove”
Best used: As a transition from going all-out to a mid-level pace
Artist: Mariah Carey
Song: “Shake It Off”
How It Feels: Like moving on
Energy level: Slower energy, but not lower energy
Motivational lyric: “Gotta make that move / Find somebody who / Appreciates all the love I give”
Best used: Taking a breather at a reduced pace after a high-energy sprint
Artist: Todrick Hall
Song: “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels”
How It Feels: Full of strength
Energy level: A powerful mid-range
Motivational lyric: “This whole club is my runway, run b-tch”
Best used: When the sweat is fully flowing and you need to keep those reps going
Artist: MUNA
Song: “Number One Fan”
How It Feels: Like earning self-respect
Energy level: Mid-to-low range
Motivational lyric: “So here’s the bad news I’m coming for everyone and coming on strong”
Best used: As you gradually cool off without letting up
Artist: Years & Years
Song: “King”
How It Feels: Calming, lovely
Energy level: A pleasant mid-to-low range
Motivational lyric: “Cut cover, take that test / Hold courage to your chest”
Best used: During a refreshing cool-down period
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