By the 1970s, the fitness fad that started in the ’60s had gained momentum and become a full-on craze. People were running in the streets, pumping iron on the beach, and disco dancing in the clubs. Luckily, the soundtrack of the decade kept pace with the movement, thanks to mind-boggling hits from Queen, groovy tunes from the Jackson 5, and catchy dance songs by ABBA.
We’ve taken thousands of those hits from the ’70s and remixed them into energized, high-BPM bangers suitable for your next group fitness class. Here are a few of our favorite ’70s songs for your next fitness class, sure to provide an amplified dose of nostalgia.
This song started out as a love song, but after visiting his father in the hospital, Kenny Loggins changed it from a love song to a life song—an inspirational ballad motivating anyone who listens to stand up and fight. This supercharged remix of 1979’s “This Is It” from our Yacht Rock power mix will motivate you to stop hiding in the corner and live your best life.
With imagery of tigers defying the laws of gravity and race cars passing by like Lady Godiva, this 1979 Queen hit single already has what it takes to make a supersonic man out of you. Throw in some electronic buildup and drops, and our remix will have you burning through the sky at the speed of light.
Released by the iconic Native American rock group Redbone in 1974, “Come and Get Your Love” is a song you’ll be happy to have stuck in your head. The original song, which had a resurgence in popularity when it was featured on the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, has a steady, soulful beat that we’ve amped up to suit your energy level.
The inspiration for this song came from ABBA member and songwriter Björn Ulvaeus’s jogging habit. While out on a run, he would often repeat a “tck-a-ch”-style rhythm to himself, which eventually evolved into the “take a chance” lyrics repeated throughout the song. Given the song’s origin, our remix of this 1978 hit is an ideal soundtrack for your next round of cardio.
Deemed the most “softsational soft rock” song of all time by VH1, “Sailing” by Christopher Cross seems to be an unlikely fitness track. But after speeding up the original to 135 BPM, this remix and the wind will carry you away on to your fitness goals.
Disco queen Gloria Gaynor knows how to popularize a genre and keep you motivated throughout your fitness routine. This 1975 dancehall classic has been remixed to help you say goodbye to all your unwanted calories.
Songwriter Johanna Hall wrote “Still the One” after a friend asked her “why somebody couldn't write a song about staying together, as opposed to breaking up." The song was recorded by Orleans and released in 1976 to surprising popularity. At 140 BPM, this soft rock remix ranks as the fastest-paced track on our list.
Michael Jackson described this 1978 song as an “uptempo, finger-poppin'-time-type song,” making it the perfect addition to your dance fitness playlist.
With its meandering lyrics and prominent eight-bar saxophone riff, this Gerry Rafferty hit does not scream “pump-up” song. But our CPR remix transforms that sax solo into an invigorating blast of vitality. The increased BPM, coupled with the uplifting lyrics of “the sun is shining, it’s a new morning,” makes it a surprising fitness sensation.
Get all these tracks through a custom Clickmix or add them to your own playlist through Power Music Now.