Some days you need to be soothed — and some days you need a push. When your energy is flat and motivation is nowhere to be found, the right music can genuinely move you. Here is what science says about using music for energy and motivation, whether you are working out, cleaning the house or just trying to get going.
Can music really boost your energy?
Yes — and the effect is measurable. Studies on exercise consistently show that upbeat, high-tempo music increases motivation, endurance and performance, while making the effort feel easier. In research, people training to fast-paced music pushed harder and reported lower perceived exertion than those working out in silence.
The benefit is strongest for steady, rhythmic activity like walking, running or cycling, and a little smaller for short, explosive efforts — but across the board, the right soundtrack helps you do more with less sense of strain.
Why upbeat music energises you
It fires up your body chemistry
Fast-tempo music has been shown to raise levels of catecholamines — the “go” chemicals like adrenaline — priming your body for action and lifting arousal and pleasant emotion.
Tempo pulls you along
A driving beat acts like an external pacemaker: your movement and heart rate tend to sync to it, which is why a faster track can literally quicken your pace and sustain high-intensity effort for longer.
It lifts your mood over time
Beyond the moment, research suggests that regularly listening to upbeat, positive music can meaningfully improve overall happiness in as little as two weeks — energy that carries beyond any single session.
How to use music for motivation
- Go up-tempo — faster, driving tracks (roughly 120–140+ BPM) for movement and momentum.
- Pick music you love — familiar, personally motivating songs give the biggest lift.
- Front-load it — put on your most energising track first to break inertia and get started.
- Match it to the task — high energy for workouts and chores; save the calm playlists for winding down.
Find your drive
When you need to feel unstoppable, our Determinated playlist is built to fire you up, and the wider Enjoy Life collection is full of tracks to lift your energy and mood.
Want the full range for every mood and moment? Members unlock our complete library of 600+ curated tracks, with fresh sets added every month. See what a membership offers.
Sources: High-tempo music & high-intensity exercise, PMC · High-tempo music enhances performance, study report · Can music improve your workout? Nat. Center for Health Research