TECHNOMALISTSpotify has begun rolling out a new Running Mode for Premium subscribers on Android and iOS in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden. The feature lives inside the app’s Fitness hub and builds a workout soundtrack around the run you are about to do, rather than offering a static playlist.
Users begin by choosing one of 25 presets that cover different workout structures and music genres. A simple "Just Run" option gets you moving quickly, while more structured routines include intervals, pyramid workouts, easier runs, and longer sessions. The workout duration can be set anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes. If you only have 20 minutes before work, you can jump into a simple Just Run session and get moving.
The music side is equally flexible. Listeners can pick preferred genres such as pop, EDM, country, and hip-hop, and then decide whether Spotify should lean toward familiar tracks or introduce more discoveries. Running Mode also uses the platform's Prompted Playlist feature, allowing users to edit the prompt that generates the soundtrack. For example, you could ask for songs you once loved but have not played recently, or for tracks shorter than three minutes. The editing capability means users are not confined to preset moods; they can request very specific criteria. The resulting playlists refresh daily, and users can save any that work particularly well.
The most distinctive feature may be Beat Matching. Instead of simply selecting energetic music, runners can choose a target beats-per-minute (BPM) figure, and Spotify will find tracks that fit that rhythm. According to Spotify, 160 BPM is currently the most popular choice, while those chasing a quicker cadence may prefer around 170 to 180 BPM. Users can optionally let Spotify adjust playback speed slightly so tracks stay aligned with the selected BPM, or disable that setting to hear songs at their normal tempo.
For structured workouts, Running Mode can insert optional English-language coaching cues that provide guidance and encouragement during a session. These can be switched off entirely for those who want nothing but music.
By combining workout parameters, musical preferences, tempo matching, and optional coaching, Spotify's Running Mode aims to remove the hassle of playlist curation and keep runs from feeling predictable. For anyone who has spent longer choosing a workout playlist than actually warming up, the new tool could be a significant time-saver.
Reported by Digital Trends.
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