These playlists will get you in shape to the beat

Playlist Plan: Power songs

Why it works In a 2005 study at Brunel University, 36 runners cut an average of half a second off their 400-metre times when they listened to music in a certain tempo range. Choose tunes in the bpm sweet spot – 120 to 140. To kick into high gear when you need it most, pick one fast-paced song (at least 130 bpm) whose lyrics fire you up and position it to play at the point during your run when you usually feel like crap – whether during the warm up or at the 10-kay mark. Showing up on Nike's list of 100 power songs requested by women: "Pump It" by the Black Eyed Peas, "The Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, and Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack".

Harder to Breathe – Maroon 5 (Songs About Jane)
S.O.S. – Rihanna (A Girl Like Me)
Firestarter – The Prodigy (The Fat of the Land) Use this 136 bpm song to help you set a challenging pace.
Another One Bites the Dust – Queen (The Game)
Girlfriend – Avril Lavigne (The Best Damn Thing)
Pump It Up – Elvis Costello (This Year's Model)
To Be – Magic Carpet Ride (Men's Health/Women's Health Chill)
The Rockafeller Skank – Fatboy Slim (You've Come A Long Way Baby)
Here It Goes Again – OK Go (Oh No) Clocking in at 146 bpm, this song made Nike's list of Top 10 Power Songs on iTunes.
She Wants to Move – N.E.R.D. (Fly or Die)
Runnin' Down a Dream – Tom Petty (Full Moon Fever) Anything seems possible as you start slowing down with this 115 bpm classic.
Around the World – Daft Punk (Homework)