EDM Listeners Hit Most Personal Records at the Gym, Study Suggests

Electronic dance music has claimed the top spot among genres that help gym-goers achieve personal records, according to new research from the telehealth company Levity.

The study, which analyzed 185,798 tracks from workout- and gym-focused Spotify playlists, found that EDM tied with hip-hop and R&B as the most effective music for breaking through fitness plateaus.

EDM enthusiasts also demonstrated remarkable staying power, averaging 46 minutes per gym session, trailing only metal music fans in workout duration. People who listen to metal while exercising are most likely to "max out" on lifts, according to the study.

The late Swedish icon Avicii is the top EDM artist for listeners in the gym, with Calvin Harris and Tiësto taking the next two spots, respectively. Survey respondents who preferred electronic beats also reported improved focus and endurance during their routines.

Elsewhere in the study, hip-hop and pop emerged as the most popular genres in gym playlists, which should come as no surprise considering their domination on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Drake appears most frequently, followed by Taylor Swift.

You can read the full study here.