Feed.fm Reveals Top Fitness Songs of 2022 & A Surprising Fan Favorite Genre
Have we been feeling nostalgic and comforted by old favorites while hitting our fitness goals?
As 2022 draws to a close, and fitness becomes more of a priority for many, we’ve certainly listened to a LOT of music during our workouts – and what we have listened to is quite revealing.
Feed.fm, an end-to-end music solution, has just released its 2022 Wellness & Workout Music Report after streaming an astounding 730+ million workout songs to 7.6 million unique digital fitness app users.
Music is an important part of any workout, and Feed.fm has discovered some interesting trends when it comes to the best workout songs, and is wrapping up 2022 with key insights for the fitness industry.
Here are some highlights of Feed.fm’s findings.
Hip Hop with a side of Pop
Feed.fm noted that some of the best workout songs of 2022 have leaned towards a more pop side of the hip hop genre, led by artists like Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, and The Kid Laroi. Songs from such artists share a few elements of musical DNA, reports Claire McConnell, Feed.fm music curator. “Hip hop, R&B, and even punk musical stylings are threaded through these tracks to make them simultaneously both new and familiar,” McConnell points out.
Feed.fm’s Top 5 Fitness Songs streamed in digital fitness apps include:
1. “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” Lil Nas X – 2,381,745 streams
2. “Kiss Me More” (feat. SZA) Doja Cat – 2,369,331 streams
3. “Stay The Kid” LAROI & Justin Bieber – 2,365,185 streams
4. “Butter” BTS – 2,309,414 streams
5. “good 4 u” Olivia Rodrigo – 2,244,652 streams
Pop is still popular, but new genres are emerging
Pop is an easy workout choice, as it tends to have a mass appeal, but Feed.fm noticed an interesting shift when comparing its most-played stations across digital fitness clients from 2021 to 2022. In Feed.fm’s 2022 review, more of the top-played stations included Throwback, Hip Hop, Rock, EDM, and Country, according to McConnell.
Feed.fm tells Athletch News that fitness enthusiasts have shown great interest in the tunes of the past, selecting Throwback stations, which include timeless upbeat pop, clean hip hop, and R&B hits. Demand grew substantially for music hits of the 1980s through the mid-2000s, reports Feed.fm.
While fitness fans may have felt nostalgic, enjoying well-known artists from the past, Feed.fm also saw some 2022 new releases gain traction.
Feed.fm’s Top 5 New Release Fitness Songs include:
1. “Big Energy” Latto – 1,166,548 streams
2. “When I’m Gone” Alesso & Katy Perry – 667,542 streams
3. “she’s all i wanna be” Tate McRae – 664,670 streams
4. “Light Switch” Charlie Puth – 659,487 streams
5. “Closer” (feat. H.E.R.) Saweetie – 620,043 streams
Overall, Feed.fm confirms that fitness enthusiasts desire choices and the ability to diversify and personalize their workout music. “Offering more exercise music options provides a better user experience and gives your business valuable insights and data to help fine-tune your music strategy,” McConnell reports.
Feed.fm’s full 2022 Wellness & Workout Music Report with expert insight and analysis can be found here.
Courtney Rehfeldt has worked in the broadcasting media industry since 2007 and has freelanced since 2012. Her work has been featured in Age of Awareness, Times Beacon Record, The New York Times, and she has an upcoming piece in Slate. She studied yoga & meditation under Beryl Bender Birch at The Hard & The Soft Yoga Institute. She enjoys hiking, being outdoors, and is an avid reader. Courtney has a BA in Media & Communications studies.