Whether you lift weights, cycle, or run for your life, this Horror Workout Playlist will help you scare those extra pounds away. These songs will make you want to get moving and push yourself a little further. You’ll be able to fit into that sexy Halloween costume in no time!
Many horror workout playlists just include regular Halloween music. With this playlist I sought to compile a few more out-of-the-box additions. Each song has a pumpkin – I mean – pumping beat and keeps me motivated throughout my workout. The songs include some classics, remixes, and new jams.
What better way to start a workout than to imagine yourself in the wonderful world of the 80’s. With all its bright colors and iconic workout sportswear, I think of those cheesy 80’s workout videos each time I start my routine.
While “I Wear My Sunglasses at Night” isn’t explicitly tied to horror, I can’t help but think about the 80’s vampire flicks which featured vampires in sunglasses. Think that iconic poster of The Lost Boys, Robert Sean Leonard in My Best Friend is a Vampire, and Lauren Hutton in Once Bitten. For some reason I associate this song so much with vampires, I was shocked when I found that it hadn’t been used in mainstream horror media until much more recently (Nope, Scream Queens, Stranger things).
I first heard this song via a streaming service Halloween mix and loved its high-energy electropop sound. It was surprising to learn that it was sung by a young girl and from a Disney Channel tv series, A.N.T. Farm. The series stars China Anne McClain as an 11-year-old musical prodigy who is a member in the Advanced Natural Talent (A.N.T.) program, a program that allows gifted middle school students to go immediately to high school. The song is from the series’ Halloween episode, taking place in an alternate reality filled with monsters.
This dance rock/synth pop song will get your blood pumping on this horror workout playlist. While the song is actually about an abusive relationship, the lyrics directly reference Halloween:
“When you turn out the lights
You make me feel like it’s Halloween (Halloween)
It’s Halloween (Halloween)
When you skulk ’round the house
You make me feel like it’s Halloween (Halloween)
It’s Halloween (Halloween)”
The music video features masked figures trapped in a haunted house. It references popular horror films like The Shining and It.
With a career spanning over 60 years, Alice Cooper has drawn from horror movies, vaudeville, and garage rock to create a macabre and theatrical brand of rock. His “Welcome to My Nightmare” is a Halloween classic and his song list contains many other horror/Halloween-inspired fare. He has also appeared in a number of horror movies: Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Spooks & Creeps, and Dark Shadows – among others.
Released in 2009, “Keepin’ Halloween Alive” is Coopers love letter to Halloween.
“I’m keepin’ Halloween alive, baby 3-6-5
I keep it goin’, I keep it goin’
I’ve kept Halloween alive since 1965
I keep it goin’, I keep it goin’
I’ll keep my Jack-O-Lantern light on for everyone tonight”
Apparently, I need to renew my subscription to Disney+, because this A.N.T Farm series has some phenomenal music. This song comes from the second Halloween-themed episode of the series, “mutANT Farm 2”. I want to get up and dance each time I hear it!
If you only listen to English music, you are missing out at a treasure-trove of horror-themed media. “Scream” is the second track of Dreamcatcher’s first studio album, “Dystopia: The Tree Of Language”. The music video is packed full of witchy and magical imagery and the lyrics tell a story based on the witch hunts of the Middle Ages.
I love the epic chorus about screaming. The strong female vocals are quite empowering.
Let’s take this playlist “back to back to another dimension” with this 1992 jam from Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited. The Twilight Zone tv series (and 1983 film) is one of the best horror/sci-fi anthologies out there. Although the song is not officially tied to it, as a fan there is no way I can ignore the implicit connection.
Now that the previous song got us to “shake our bones”, let’s continue with this Halloween anthem by LVCFT. Celebrating the ultimate Halloween mascot, Skeleton Sam, this song blends hip-hop, pop, and dance to create quite the catchy tune.
I would also be remiss not to congratulate ScareLA alum, Lucas Acosta (DP/Director/Editor) and Philip Hernandez (Producer), on the stylish music video.
While looking for tracks to add for my Peloton cycling playlist, a friend recommended this remix of the classic horror musical song. While I am not usually much of a fan of techno, it is hard to deny that this song very much lends itself to this type of beat. This certainly feels like a traditional workout mix and works well when you need a steady cycling song.
Electro swing always gets me dancing. I love the blend of old-school swing with modern beats. This song covers one of the greatest Disney theme park songs of all time, Grim Grinning Ghosts. The Haunted Mansion is the quintessential dark ride for Halloween & horror fans. This song takes me back to where I can find the happiest haunts on Earth – and distracts me from my sore muscles during a run!
When I need a power song to lift me up and empower me to take control of my workout, this song is it. Strong female vocals and a message of rising up from the ashes push me to do my best.
“I’ll rise up from the wreckage
I am resurrected
Try me, I’m electric
You can’t kill this vibe”
Thank goodness I heard this song before seeing the cheesy music video. Otherwise, I may not have cared to add it to this playlist. While the music video is… well, terrible – the song is quite catchy and fun to work out to. I love the lyrics about a haunted house and feeling creeped out while being along. Quite relatable!
We are at the end of our 13 track horror workout playlist. To finish, here is one of the greatest animated tv show theme songs of all time. I was fortunate enough to hear Simple Plan perform this live at the “When We Were Young” music festival in 2024. The band even had a slew of backup dancers dressed as Scooby Doo take over the stage. The entire audience was jumping and dancing along. This song will give you the final boost to finish your workout strong.
I hope you enjoyed the playlist and got a productive workout in. What songs are on your horror workout playlist? Let me know on Instagram @EmilyIsHorror
Whether you lift weights, cycle, or run for your life, this Horror Workout Playlist will help you scare those extra pounds away. These songs will make you want to get
The Queen Mary (Long Beach, CA) has long been known for its rumored haunted halls. Even on my first trip in the 90’s a tour guide was happy to recount
Invite your bravest friends for a horror movie night! Scary movies are best when surrounded by other people. Horror connects all of us – no matter where you are from,
Welcome to my home of all things horror & Halloween! The Horror of Being Emily showcases resources, creative projects, small businesses, and more related to my weird and wonderful Halloween & horror obsession.
