A Classic Workout: 12 of the Best Pieces of Classical Music for Exercise

An upbeat, good old-fashioned dance number from Vienna, The Thunder and Lightening Polka not only provides a good solid rhythm, but is also a feel-good ditty.

It, like most polkas, has around 100 BPM - but the exact figure depends, of course, on who was in charge of the baton when the track was recorded.

In any case, Strauss offers a good piece for warming up or for light exercise here.

Written between 1914 and 1916, Holst's The Planets is one of the more widely known classical pieces, with Mars being used often in documentaries, television programs and films. 

This powerful and motivational piece offers an average 85 BMP, although, like several of the other pieces listed, the timing fluctuates.

As Mars gathers pace, though, it can make a good piece for a workout, as it'll urge you to intensify your exercise as it swells. 

Although it might not seem like the most pacey of pieces, the beauty of Boléro is that it offers a good, steady beat.

Or as Ravel put it, "Don't you think this theme has an insistent quality? I'm going to try and repeat it a number of times without any development..."

And it's faster than you might think. Jog.FM gives it a BPM of 140, which is a decent beat for some intense exercise. And, as the music builds, it's bound to spur you on!

What about music to get you in the mood?

So, you've pulled on your running shoes, you're psyching yourself up for the hard slog ahead - stick a little taste of this in your ears and you'll be ready to step out that front door in no time!

It's only 66 BPM, so it's probably best for preparation and light warm up, but don't underestimate the importance of being mentally prepared before you go out to exercise. 

Let's face it, it's difficult not to hear this and think, "Hi-yo, Silver! Away!" Just like Silver, it'll get ya going though, won't it? 

It's a pulse-quickener, and is bound to help light that fire under you. With a pulse of around 150 BPM, it's great for when you're hitting your stride.

It's not your usual ballet music, is it?

The Sabre Dance is a high-octane piece, full of energy. In fact, at times, it might seem a little frenetic, but you've got to admit, it's not one for the slackers!

You might be surprised, though that Khachaturian's metronome mark is 132 BPM, so it's not beyond the realms of possibility to keep up with him. 

Both literally and figuratively explosive, this is ideal for those moments when you hit 'the wall'.

If you need any kind of push, Tchaikovsky will give it to you here in spades.

It only has a tempo of around 80 BPM, but I'm not sure that really matters. After all, the canon fire will keep you running for your life.

This is a great piece to use at the beginning of your workout, as it has a nice slow build - in fact, the opening is a little depressing.

However, it rises to a powerful crescendo, by which time, you'll be moving at full force.

With 150 BPM, it's certainly going to keep you ticking along at a fair pace.

Another one of those classical tracks that everyone knows, the 'Can-Can' as it's more commonly known is just crying out for you to lift those legs a little bit higher.

Versions I've found have vastly differing tempos, but the faster paced ones, like the one on the right, are around the 160 BPM mark. So, it's definitely one for when you're warmed up!

I'm very fond of pieces that start slow and build, and they don't build to much more of a frenzy than the climax of In The Hall of The Mountain King.

It starts out at around 70 BPM, but, as you'll hear, it gathers speed and eventually reaches 94 BPM.

This is another piece that I highly recommend as a starter, because it's pulsing impetus will certainly give you the motivational boost you need to begin your workout.