Hitting the gym? These 11 podcasts will become your best workout buddies

Podcasts are fine workout buddies for gym rats and fitness novices alike! If you’re hitting the gym this season, we’ve rounded up a list of podcasts to learn something new, fulfill your New Year’s resolution, or distract you while doing those extra reps. And perhaps you’ll get inspired by two of the interview podcasts on our list where guests share their journeys of healing, wellness, and beyond.

On our list of gym-ready podcasts, we’ve included shows from several genres. There’s a news quiz show to test yourself alongside the contestants. Get curious with a long-running documentary series and learn about science in under-30-minute episodes. Two true crime podcasts are also on our list, and there’s a music commentary series where artists dissect their hits. If you’re looking for a fitness training tool, there’s a music podcast with BPM-specific episodes for timed workouts with different intensity levels. Tune into our complete list of podcasts for the gym below:

Radiolab

WNYC Studios’ “Radiolab” is an engaging documentary series running the gamut of topics each episode. The podcast encourages curiosity, bringing you science and answering questions since 2006. With over 145 episodes to choose from, hear about topics like cross-species communication, vanishing words, cassette tapes, Bing Crosby, and more. This podcast is hosted by Jad Abumrad, Lulu Miller, and Latif Nasser.

Habits and Hustle

Jen Cohen and Habit Nest present “Habits and Hustle,” a health and fitness podcast all about people’s journeys. Hear from scientists, entrepreneurs, TEDx speakers, authors, and more about their daily habits and what has impacted their lives. Recently, stem cell biologist and author Dr. Bruce Lipton discussed the connection between science and spirit. Amanda Knox (writer, podcast host of “Labyrinths,” and exoneree) discussed meditation, visualizations, and the mental exercises that enabled her to get through jail time. The average length of episodes is 90 minutes long, with new episodes posted weekly.

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me

NPR’s “Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me” is a comedy news quiz show where participants differentiate between fact and fiction and answer current event questions. Guests like Keke Palmer, Bowen Yang, Lindsey Vonn, Audra McDonald, and more join the panelists in episodes. The average episode length is 48 minutes long.

Unexplainable

Vox’s “Unexplainable” covers a different scientific topic in each new, weekly episode. Scientists, experts, or reporters join host Noam Hassenfeld to explore interesting questions. Hear about Venus, mind readers, medicine trials excluding women until 1993, and beached whales, just to name a few topics. Check out over 40 releases on a variety of subjects, running around 30 minutes per episode.

X-Ray Vision

From Crooked Media comes “X-Ray Vision,” a TV and film podcast with insight on new releases, pop culture, and more. Recent episodes covered Spider-Man: No Way Home, Marvel’s Hawkeye, and Eternals, just to name a few. Every week, Emmy Award-winning actor and host Jason Concepcion is joined by guests to share their honest opinions on entertainment.

FANTI

“FANTI” is a society and culture podcast dishing on what journalists Tre’vell Anderson and Jarrett Hill are currently interested in. Hear about Lil Nas X, Real Housewives, non/monogamy, Jussie Smollett, respecting elders, and more. The podcast’s title is a portmanteau of the words “fan” and “anti,” because sometimes you can be a fan of something but also have honest critiques, and this is what Jarrett and Tre’vell explore each episode. This series is brought to you by Maximum Fun with new, weekly episodes under an hour long.

Song Exploder

Learn about songs’ fascinating backstories on “Song Exploder,” presented by Radiotopia. Each episode breaks down one artist’s song and plays isolated tracks from the recording. The artist dissects the song’s details, from lyrics, to vibes, to beats, arrangement, and production. In episodes, hear from artists like Willow, Halsey, Danny Elfman, girl in red, and more. This series is hosted by Hrishikesh Hirway, and there’s a video series on Netflix following the podcast’s concept.

PODRUNNER: Workout Music

If you’re looking for a high tempo, continuous mix of music to get you revved and use as a training tool, check out “PODRUNNER: Workout Music.” Each episode lists the BPM in case you’re looking to spin or run at a specific pace. Check the episode descriptions to preview the track listing. There are episodes like “Ramp Mixes” that increase BPMs to 120 over the course of the hour, then drop to 110 BPM for a 5-minute cool-down. All episodes are just over an hour, presented by Steve Boyett.

Gone South

C13Originals’ “Gone South” investigates the murder of sex crimes prosecutor Margaret Coon in 1987. For years, the case remained unsolved. In this series, journalist Jed Lipinski headed to St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana looking for answers and uncovered shocking new details. Listen to this series in sequential order to hear all about the true crime case. All episodes are under an hour long.

Morbid

“Morbid” is a wildly-popular true crime/comedy podcast hosted by a niece and aunt duo. Described as a “lighthearted nightmare,” the series covers a different case each episode. Hear about high-profile and lesser-known cases in over 340 episodes, running under 90 minutes on average. Besides being podcast hosts, Alaina is an autopsy technician, and Ash is a hairstylist. Tune in for new, weekly episodes.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

“On Purpose with Jay Shetty” is hosted by a former monk, author, and life coach chatting with interesting guests each episode. Guests like Oprah Winfrey, Demi Lovato, Esther Perel, and Kobe Bryant have joined Jay for in-depth conversations on healing, relationships, growth, identity, and more. Jay recently released an episode filled with the 10 best lessons he’s learned over the last 300 episodes. Check out new, weekly episodes running an hour on average.