Spotify Just Launched a New Running Mode and I’m Surprised How Much I Like It.
I’m currently training for a marathon this fall, and today was supposed to be a rest day. But Spotify had other plans for me: today the company launched a new running mode, so I laced up my running shoes and decided to test it out.
This new mode adapts songs based on the different stages of your run, selecting tracks based on your preferences and desired pace. Instead of simply shuffling a playlist and hoping the tempo matches your rhythm, it builds your run around your effort structure: warm-up, work intervals, recovery, and cool-down. On top of the music, it adds audio cues at key points in your run, giving you more than just a coach-led workout, as you often experience with Nike Run Club .
How to find and use Spotify’s Run mode
Currently, only paid subscribers have access to this new running mode. To open the Fitness section in the app, search for “Fitness Center,” and the running mode will appear at the top of the list. There, you can choose from 25 preset modes or create your own.
In running mode, you first select the workout type: just running, easy running, intervals, pyramid, or long and advanced. Then you choose a music genre. For me, it was pop, hip-hop, EDM, rock, and R&B.
I experimented with several presets before settling on the one I really wanted to test properly: the Pyramid Rock Run. Here’s how I “improved” it:
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Duration increased from 30 to 35 minutes.
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Workout Type: I chose the Pyramid Workout, which comes with a helpful graphic showing the structure of the effort throughout the race.
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At this stage, more genre options appeared, including house, Latin, classical, and country. There’s also a “discovery” slider, so I set it to 75% toward new music.
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Turned on the audio consultant.
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I turned on the song selection feature by target tempo (BPM), set it to 180, and also enabled the “fine tune song speed” option, although after a test run I’m not sure what that was supposed to do.
After I locked these settings, Spotify took a full two minutes to generate the playlist. Once it’s generated, you have the ability to intelligently rearrange tracks, add new ones, or further refine the playlist. Two things I immediately noticed: the request for 75% new music worked perfectly (funny!); the tempo started at 133 bpm (great), peaked at 180 bpm (perfect), and then during a pause, one track stopped at 210 bpm (confusing and bad).
Why Spotify’s Running Mode Is a Great Workout Tool
Today, I thoroughly enjoyed testing this new feature, even though I should have been resting. Beyond the novelty, I think it’s a truly useful tool for runners looking to improve their internal sense of pace. Locking the music tempo to your target cadence gives you a running reference point, and load structures like pyramids force you to notice how your stride changes as you change intensity. The audio cues reminded me of what I’ve always loved about Nike Run Club: running technique tips and, more often than not, reminders to slow down —advice most runners need more than they realize.
Spotify’s AI coach delivers these instructions through music, constantly announcing each song, which I appreciated. For example, during a hip-hop playlist, one of the cues told me, “Let the beat loosen my step, and remember to unclench your fists and lower your shoulders.” During the rock playlist’s peak, it told me, “Stay energetic, but not stiff.” My suggestion for Spotify would be to also announce the tempo of a song.
One thing to keep in mind: the coach doesn’t actually respond to you in real time—all settings are preset to suit your workout preferences. Still, I like these built-in settings. The only significant drawback was the 210 bpm cooldown track. Everything else in the pace logic was tracked, which made this one drawback more noticeable.
My favorite coaching tip is to focus on the bass drum rhythm. I tried this while running to Paramore’s “Misery Business,” and according to my Garmin Forerunner 970 , I was running at a steady 180 beats per minute. Even if runners don’t like the songs Spotify selects for them (though I haven’t personally had any complaints), I still recommend this feature as a fun way to hone your internal metronome and practice your pacing before a race.