How to Use Music to Set the Pace in Fitness and Workout Videos

In the growing world of fitness content creation, the right music for workout videos can transform your content extraordinarily. Music can increase endurance by 15%, boost engagement, and improve overall performance. It not only sets the pace of your videos but also plays a crucial role in providing content full of energy and motivation.

In today’s digital world, music serves as the heartbeat of your videos, regardless of any platform, be it TikTok YouTube or Instagram. The effective use of fitness video soundtracks can help elevate your video content. In this blog, you will find general tips on improving the performance of your content with examples from leading fitness creators. Let’s begin.

Why Music Is Important in Workout Videos?

Music can make or break the engagement rate of your videos. Whether you are creating a video on High-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions or a calming yoga sequence, music helps set the rhythm and tone of the workout. For instance, to keep the energy high during intense cardio, upbeat music with fast tempos will work best, whereas relaxing tunes will be the ideal option for stretches and cool-downs.

Choosing the right music for workout videos is not a personal preference but an informed decision. It’s about curating a sound that resonates with the feel and tempo of the exercises, ensuring that your audience stays coordinated with the routine. Leading fitness creators such as Pamela Reif and Chloe Ting use soundtracks that vary according to the exercises, which helps enhance the overall experience.

What Does Setting the Right Tempo Mean?

One of the most effective ways to use music is by choosing tracks with the appropriate music tempo for fitness videos. Here is how you can do that:

1. Match BPM to Workout Intensity

The music pacing for exercise is heavily influenced by the beats per minute (BPM) of the music track. A fast-paced HIIT workout will require 120-160 BPM music, whereas slower workouts such as yoga and pilates can benefit from calmer music around 90-120 BPM. Matching the BPM with the pace of your exercises ensures a seamless flow and helps your audience maintain momentum and rhythm throughout the video.

2. Use Music to Signal Transitions

In addition to maintaining tempo, music can also be used as a signal of transition between exercises. The shift in the tempo of music, either speeding or slowing down, can effectively signal a change in the intensity or a new exercise in the sequence.

This not only keeps the audience aware of what is coming next but also creates a professional and user-friendly touch to the experience. Pairing the music cue with visual elements of the videos, like countdown timers and workout intensity indicators, can further upgrade the overall impact of the workout videos.

3. Upbeat Workout Playlists for Motivation

Music that contains high energy and motivational lyrics gives your audience that extra push during those difficult sets. Incorporate popular beats into your upbeat workout playlists that have strong motivational themes which will increase audience engagement until the end. This is a technique used by Creators like Joe Wicks. He uses dynamic tracks that align with each phase of his workout, making the experience more immersive and fun.

What Music Choices Enhance Viewers' Experience?

While picking the right music for workout videos is essential, how to incorporate and layer the music also plays a vital role in maximizing the overall performance of the videos. Here are a few strategies to optimize your music:

1. Use Royalty-Free Music Libraries

To avoid copyright strikes, especially on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, it’s essential to use royalty-free platforms. It allows creators to use music in their videos without worrying about copyright infringement. It’s important always to check licensing terms to ensure compliance with policies.

2. Music Layering for Impact

Fitness influencers can use editing tools to customize the role of music throughout the video. For example, lowering the volume in the instructional breaks and increasing it back during high-energy moments creates a dynamic viewer experience. In-app editing tools on apps like TikTok make it easier to synchronize music to your workout, ensuring every burpee, squat, or push-up flows with the beat.

3. Personalized Playlists

Another strategy to engage your audience is to create personalized fitness video soundtracks. Ask the audience for their opinion on the tracks and genres of your video; this makes the experience more interactive and tailored. This approach fosters community and elevates engagement rates as the viewers feel more connected to the workout sessions.

Successful Fitness Creators and Their Use of Music

Several leading fitness creators have mastered the art of inculcating top-notch and accurate music pacing for exercise in their videos. Let’s have a look at their secrets to a perfect workout video:

1. Pamela Reif

She is known for curating custom playlists for her workouts that follow the intensity of her routines. She uses music to depict the intensity of the workout. For instance, her tracks become energetic with the racing speed of the workout and slow down for the rest of the periods, helping viewers stay aware of the pace. This clever use of tracks creates perfect momentum and makes her audience stick around.

2. Chloe Ting

Chloe takes a different approach in her workout videos, maintaining a steady workout pace accompanied by consistent background music throughout her video. This consistent approach allows her viewers to stay focused on her movements. 

Her background music typically stays in the same tempo range throughout the video, creating a rhythmic guide for participants and keeping the distraction to the minimum.

To avoid copyright strikes, especially on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, it’s essential to use Royalty-free music.

3. Joe Wicks

Joe (the body coach) takes up a dynamic approach to his fitness videos as the music in his videos evolves throughout his sessions. He carefully curates his playlists to match different phases of his workout sessions.

The music starts with upbeat tunes for the warm-ups, gradually transitions to high-energy beats during the main workout, and then winds down for the cool-down. This thoughtful curation not only sets the right tone but keeps the viewers engaged and motivated to push through each phase of the workout.

Conclusion

The effective use of music in workout videos is crucial for enhancing the overall quality of your content. Picking the right music tempo for fitness videos can keep the audience motivated, help maintain pacing, and elevate the workout experience. Whether you are looking to create upbeat workout playlists for cardio or relaxing soundtracks for yoga, tailoring your music choices to the intensity of the workout is essential.

Additionally, inculcate tips from famous fitness creators and ensure that your content is engaging, clear, and platform specific. This will help you stand out in the competitive fitness space. By using the appropriate music for workout videos and refining your content strategy, you can create more engaging, motivating, and dynamic workout videos that will keep your audience coming back for more.

Using Pro Tunes for Captivating Music

In the end, the right music can elevate your content from good to great. Why compromise? ProTunes One offers an extensive library of background music tracks and a powerful AI-driven search to help you find the perfect match for your project. No worries about copyright-cops and sneaky royalties—publish your masterpiece anywhere, stress-free.

Whether you're making YouTube videos, podcasts, ads, or just dreaming up your next viral TikTok dance, our flexible subscription plans adapt to your needs. Get started now and find the perfect track for your project within seconds.