Cool (132 BPM)

Sports scientists at Brunel University in London teamed up with Spotify to analyze nearly 7 million workout playlists in order to design the ultimate fitness soundtrack. They selected popular songs, but also factored in the lyrics, style and tempo (also called beats per minute, or BPM). Ultimately, the team organized the 20 perfect tracks into a musical mash-up that carries you through a complete workout, from warm-up to cardio and strength, and finally through a cool-down.

Cool (132 BPM)

To lower your heart rate in a healthy way after exercise, the AHA and Mayo Clinic (opens in new tab) recommend that you "cool down" by continuing to move for about 5 to 10 minutes, but at a slower pace and reduced intensity compared with the rest of your workout. For instance, Mayo suggests the following cool down activities:

Cooling down after a workout helps gradually bring your heart rate down to pre-exercise levels, thus helping you avoid potential feelings of dizziness or nausea that can occur when the heart rate falls too rapidly. It's unclear whether including a cool down in your workout helps to prevent muscle stiffness or soreness after exercise, but more research is needed in this area, according to the Mayo Clinic.

High temperatures and humidity may make you feel sweaty, clammy and downright uncomfortable. For most people, this is just a minor annoyance for enjoying outdoor activities when the weather is warm. But if you have a heart condition, it may be harder for you to handle the heat or to cool down when temperatures rise. 041b061a72