Spice Girls were BIG during the newly entered teenage years of my life. I was all about their female empowerment message, debating heavily if my alter-ego was more Posh Spice or Ginger Spice. Now I’m more Dark-Bags-Under-My-Eyes Spice. I walk around yelling, “Grown-up Girl Power!” and “Need Sleep Please!” And that sleep deprivation is exactly why I need this list of the best empowerment songs for running.
My gal pals and I would make mock music videos and belt out, “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends…” Now it’s more like, “If you wanna be my lover, you better help with the laundry…”
I’ve acquired an additional Spice Girl title in the past few months – PREGNANT SPICE. Yep, if life is crazy, add some more chaos right?! (Maybe I’m closer to Crazy Spice now). And just like with my first pregnancy, I plan on staying active and working out up until baby #2 arrives (with modifications of course).
I received this adorable #fitforbaby tank from from Amy over at her Etsy shop – Original Graphic Tees to show off that growing baby bump as I get my sweat on. Want to sport one yourself? Check out her shop here. It’s the perfect statement top when people do the double take like, “wait is she????” Keep the staring to a minimum please.
And when I’m toting around an extra XX pounds of belly AND pushing my beloved BOB stroller with my son chillin’ in the front, I NEED songs on my playlist that get my endorphins pumping and encourage me to keep going!
Most of these are ‘girl power’ songs (but not cheesy ones, I promise), some are soul-lifting tunes, and others just have a killer beat that will be sure to help you power through.
Here are the BEST empowerment songs for running:
Gotta Work – Amerie
How I Feel – Flo Rida
The Man – Aloe Blacc
Keeps Gettin’ Better – Christina Aguilera
Run the World (Girls) – Beyonce
Wings – Little Mix
Runaway Baby – Bruno Mars
Applause – Lady Gaga
Love Myself – Hailee Steinfeld
Hold my Hand – Jess Glynne
BO$$ – Fifth Harmony
Fight Song – Rachel Platten
Grown – Little Mix
Confident – Demi Lovato
Bang Bang – Jessie J
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
Girl On Fire – Alicia Keys
Telephone – Lady Gaga
Pocketbook – Jennifer Hudson
Make the World Move – Christina Aguilera
Maneater – Nelly Furtado
Diva – Beyonce
Lose Control – Missy Elliot
Born this Way – Lady Gaga
Evacuate the Dancefloor – Cascada
She Wolf – Shakira
Masterpiece – Jessie J
So What – Pink
Time of Our Lives – Pitbull
Let’s Get Loud – Jennifer Lopez
Break Free – Ariana Grande
Add these to your playlist and let me know if they helped YOU feel like a running queen! And comment below if there any I’ve missed.
What is your favorite running or workout tune?
Ah see, I need to run in silence and when I’m strength training, I like to have CNN on 😉 Hahaha!
What?! You are weird! JK I love you. But I wish I could have that kind of internal dialogue to keep going without distraction like you can!!!
I love this playlist. I’ve been obsessed with Miike Snow’s Genghis Khan song.
Oh I’m sooooo adding that one to my Spotify list!!!
LOVE your playlist and LOVE your baby announcement! CONGRATS to you!
Thank you thank you love!!!!
About to add so many songs to my running playlist right now 🙂 🙂
Whoo hoo!!! Glad you found some goodies to add!
That tank is SO cute! It ALMOST makes me want to be pregnant again…but NO! 🙂
And doesn’t it seem like AGES ago that we listened to Spice Girls as teenagers?! Gah.
Bahahaha you made me giggle!!!! You could totally eat a HUGE meal and wear it, for fun. Just a thought?? 😉
I haven’t run in sooo long (silly ankles) love your music list! Also that shirt is fab and I’m totally sending it to my sister in law.
Ankles ruin all the fun!! But hey, you could still jam to this list in the car, right?! Thanks so much Angela!
Congratulations on baby #2!
Thank you so much Pragati!
Masterpiece is one of my ALL time favorite songs in general, but I for sure get an extra kick in my step when it comes one during my lifts! I also love Runaway Baby and Confident! Kings Never Die by Eminem is also a pretty good one 🙂
Oooo checking it out NOW! Runaway Baby is totally a jam keeps me going. It’s not a ‘girl power’ tune but the beat rocks my world. Gotta love Bruno.
I can’t get over your cute little belly!
Awwww xoxoxo. Thanks girl.
This is a great list! I need to have my ipod cranked when I run so I can’t hear out of breath I am, lol!
Ugh same! I NEED my music when I run so I don’t have to focus on the fatigue. Thanks Stacy!
I wish there was a way just to drop that play-list onto my phone. The list looks so good and I love the T-Shirt!
Right?! Technology SHOULD be able to do everything for us these days!! 😉 Thanks Heather.
I’ve been looking for some new “get you moving” songs. Can’t wait to start uploading them. Thanks.
Enjoy Mary! I hope they help motivate you like they do for me!
I have so many of these songs on my running playlist, but I think there are a few I am going to add! Thanks for suggestions!
Great minds think alike!! Whoo hoo!
This is about to become my JAM list! SUCH good songs here…I think I’ll clean my room to it and *then* go on a run! haha!
Coming Up Roses
Oh I dig it. Cleaning motivation is sometimes NEEDED. Thanks Erica!
Ahhh!!! Congratulations!! So happy for you.
I love songs like this and always keep them on my phone. I’m a sucker for Stronger by Britney. Yup… just totally said that out loud. #sorrynotsorry
Thanks Julie! Don’t be sorry, Britney is always queen. I don’t care what anyone (or Beyonce) says… 😉
This is a great playlist. There are some songs here I have on mine…I’ll have to listen to the others and add them.
The song that gets me moving is Rock Your Body by the Black Eyed Peas.
Thanks for sharing.
Cori
YES Black Eyed Peas always have songs with a great beat! Good suggestion. Thanks Cori!
That is an excellent playlist! Makes me want to tie up the running shoes and get going! Thanks for compiling those.
PERFECT! Exactly what I was going for. Thanks Bev!
Woohoo!!! Congratulations on your new pregnancy! What an exciting time for your entire family. And I love that you are super committed to staying in tip-top shape. The songs on your playlist are absolutely fabulous! I actually have about a third of these on my iPod right now. I was just talking with my husband yesterday about the need to update our music selections before we leave on our next vacation in two weeks. So a huge thank you for giving me a great list of new songs to add. I really appreciate it! 🙂
Thanks so much Denay! Sounds like we have similar taste in tune-age 😉 So jealous of your vaca and hope you have an amazzzzzzzing time!
CONGRATULATIONS!! So exciting 🙂 And I’m digging this playlist. I too am a spice girls fan from way back 😉
Thank you so much Les!! xoxo
Stronger for sure is a great one. One song that always drives my workouts is Katy Perry’s Roar.
P.S. Spice Up Ya Life!!!
ROAR is a fantastic song. I totally forgot about that one!
I love this list! I have a few of these on my Playlist, but I may have to add some of these on there. I love the #fitforbaby tank, it’s so cute!
Thanks so much Lezley! Sounds like we have similar tastes in “let’s get pumped up” music!
You are such a beautiful mama!! Love all of these songs. I’m feelin’ pretty empowered now 😛
You are so sweet. Thank you for making ME feel empowered today xoxo