Some instructors who’ve known me a while think I’m all about electronic music in my indoor cycling classes. And it’s true, I do love it—especially for those introspective rides where you need to focus on pushing through mental barriers or sub-threshold intervals. My early playlists definitely leaned heavily into trance, club, and downtempo electronic beats.
But here’s the thing—I’ve been using a lot more rock and pop in my classes over the last few years, and not just because of my own love for it. It’s more because I’ve noticed a shift in the demographics of my riders. After moving to a bigger city, it became crystal clear: they want more rock. I’m all about giving riders what they want while sneaking in a few surprises along the way. (There’s no better feeling than introducing someone to a song they didn’t think they’d like and hearing, “Wow, that playlist was fire!”)
ICA members, you’ve also spoken loud and clear. Many of you have asked for more recognizable tunes for your riders, and I’m happy to deliver. (Longtime ICA members, have you noticed the shift in playlists?)
Now, I’ve always been a lover of classic rock—maybe it’s because I’m a child of the ’80s, or maybe it’s just because ROCK AND ROLL IS PERFECT FOR CYCLING CLASSES in more ways than I can count. (Yep, those bold all-caps were necessary—I’m shouting it from the rooftops!)
I get it—some instructors might shy away from rock because it’s not their personal favorite, or they think it’s too heavy. I’m not a fan of all styles of rock either (screeching guitars and shouting don’t do it for me). But even if you lean toward pop or EDM, I challenge you to think about what your riders might want. Rock music is so versatile, spanning an incredible range of styles, tempos, and energies that fit cycling perfectly.
If you haven’t used much rock music in your classes yet, now’s the perfect time to test the waters. October is the month for a Rocktober ride! You might be surprised when riders come up after class, asking for your playlist and craving more rock.
Why am I so passionate about rock music in cycling classes? It’s simple: many rock songs fall right in the sweet spot for cadence, often in the 80-90 rpm range. That makes them perfect for intense intervals, high-cadence efforts, and even sprints. The energy from those guitars and drums can power you through when you’re feeling fatigued. But rock also expertly fills your need for motivating climbs at slower cadences. And rock has slower, more laid-back tracks that are perfect for warm-ups, recoveries, and endurance rides. You won’t find this kind of versatility in much of the modern pop or EDM songs, which often sits in the 110-130 bpm range (though there are exceptions like hip-hop and indie rock).
At ICA, we’ve curated FOUR epic rock playlists for you: a classic rock collection from the 1960s to the 1980s, a modern rock playlist spanning the 1990s to today, a badass women of rock playlist, and a fun, rock-themed list featuring songs with “rock” or “rock star” in the title. Together, they hold over 1,400 songs, and I’m constantly adding more. You can find those four amazing bucket playlists in our Step Outside of Your Musical Box series.
Beyond playlists, ICA is home to plenty of rock-centric profiles that you can easily integrate into your classes this Rocktober (or any time of the year!). Here are just a few:
- Three Peat Intervals—Rock ‘n’ Roll Version: A killer profile that your class will love (and hate in the best way possible). It’s challenging—be ready.
- Rock ‘n’ Ride: Conquering the Climbs to Modern Rock: Four challenging climbs of 7 to 9 minutes packed with modern and alternative rock anthems from the ’90s to the present day.
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Tempo Climbs: This was a huge hit with ICA members. Be sure to check out the comments for alternate song suggestions!
- Two Rocktober Long Interval Profiles by Julianne Lafleur: Two separate profiles in one post, perfect for Rocktober.
- In Celebration of Guitars—Fast Flats to Climbs: I created this for National Guitar Month, focusing on songs with killer guitar riffs. Acoustic, electric, you name it.
- Pedal and Percussion—Climbing to the Rhythm: A drum-centric profile created for National Drum Month. Lots of rock tracks, but also some curveballs.
- Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll by Leslie Mueller: One of her class favorites, and it’s not hard to see why.
- Paris–Roubaix—The Hell of the North: A simulation of the famous French bike race, infused with rock music selected by an instructor who’s as passionate about rock as he is about cycling.
These profiles, plus hundreds more on ICA, often feature rock alongside other genres. And rest assured, we’re not done—more hard-hitting rock rides are coming your way soon!
Now, let me share some of my personal favorite rock tracks and how I use them in my classes:
Classic Rock
Running Down a Dream, Tom Petty, 4:52, 168 bpm/84 rpm
This song is perfect for a hard-driving longer interval. I’ve also used it as a fast climb or in a race situation.
She Sells Sanctuary, The Cult, 4:12, 140 bpm/70 rpm
A great climb! You can stand on the chorus, “…and the world, and the world turns around.”
Bad Reputation, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, 2:49, 103 bpm/rpm
Not for the faint of heart! This one is a high-cadence, hard-driving interval. You can also do a few sprints (with recovery in between). I especially like using this song in a “badass women of rock” playlist, a fun option for International Women’s Month in March if not in October.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want, The Rolling Stones, 7:28, 88 bpm/rpm
Perfect for a long, focused tempo (moderate) interval or endurance ride. Many endurance playlists include mostly instrumental electronic songs (like mine used to!), but here’s an excellent rock alternative!
The Rolling Stones have many classic rock tracks that are great for cycling classes. I’ve included quite a few in the ICA bucket playlist.
Landslide, Fleetwood Mac, 3:19, 180 bpm/90 rpm
Here is your cool-down song for your Rocktober rock ‘n’ roll playlist (or any playlist any time of the year). You’re welcome.
Crazy On You, Heart, 4:53, 130 bpm/65 rpm
Another excellent song to celebrate female rockers. This works beautifully as a progressive climb. Start in low Z3 (below moderate), then gradually add resistance (I usually add resistance six times) until you’re standing for the final push in high Z5 (very hard). Sit down and roll over the top as the song fades out. This is another great one for International Women’s Month!
Modern Rock
I Miss the Misery, Halestorm, 3:03 164 bpm/82 rpm
An intense song for a fast climb or threshold interval. Let the guitar propels those pedals! Perfect for your “badass women of rock” playlist.
Uprising, Muse, 5:04, 128 bpm/64 rpm
Such a great climb! This song builds a powerful energy that makes you feel like you’re ready to take on the world!”
Everlong, Foo Fighters, 4:10, 158 bpm/79 rpm
An intense fast climb. I’ve used this song in Tour de France profiles where I need high-energy efforts and attacks.
An Ocean in Between the Waves, The War on Drugs, 7:11, 166 bpm/83 rpm
I love everything this group does. This song is the quintessential warm-up or extended moderate flat. It’s one of my go-tos!
What are your favorite classic and modern rock songs, and what do you like to do to them? Let me know in the comments. If they aren’t in my bucket playlists (available for ICA members), I’ll add them.
If you’re not an ICA member yet, what are you waiting for? We’ll save you many dozens (more likely hundreds) of hours searching for the perfect songs and creating engaging profiles. Plus, we offer so much more—cueing tips, motivational coaching, technique tips, theme rides, evidence-based profiles, and educational content that works across ALL indoor cycling programs.
Got questions about membership? Email me at jennifer@icafit.com—I’d love to hear from you!