- Spotify has launched Running Mode, a feature that generates playlists tailored to the type of exercise, duration, and musical rhythm.
- The tool is available to Premium iOS users in seven countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, but it has not yet arrived in Spain or on Android.
- It offers 25 predefined routines (intervals, pyramid, constant rhythm) and allows customization of BPM, genre and duration, with optional voice prompts in English.
- It does not detect the runner's speed in real time; instead, the user configures the session before starting, unlike the old system from 2018.
If you've ever gone for a run and a slow song has broken your rhythm just when you needed the most motivation, Spotify wants to fix that. The streaming platform has launched Running Mode, a feature that creates custom workout playlists Combining artificial intelligence with each user's musical preferences, the new feature, unveiled in late July 2026, is integrated into the app's Fitness Hub and promises to make every workout a smoother experience.
The tool is not a simple random playlist generator. The user defines the type of exercise, the duration, the heart rate (BPM) range, and the music genre.The AI selects and orders the songs to maintain a seamless flow. It also includes optional English voice prompts that act as a virtual coach, though they don't interfere with the music. For now, it's only available to iOS Premium subscribers in a limited number of countries, and Spain will have to wait.
What is Spotify Running Mode and how does it work?
Running Mode is located within the Fitness Hub, the space that Spotify dedicates to exercise and which already included Peloton content and training videos. The feature offers 25 predefined routines ranging from continuous running to intervals or pyramid structuresThe user can adjust the session duration, song tempo (BPM), and musical style, such as pop, rock, electronic, or hip-hop, among others. Once configured, artificial intelligence generates a playlist that links the tracks, avoiding abrupt transitions.
Unlike the system that Spotify retired in 2018, Running Mode does not detect the runner's speed using the phone's sensors.Everything is planned before starting: the user chooses the type of effort, and the AI builds the soundtrack around that structure. The voice prompts, which are only available in English during this initial phase, offer motivational messages and posture reminders, but do not respond in real time to the athlete's performance.
Available countries and limitations
The initial release of Running Mode is limited to Premium iOS users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and SwedenSpotify has not confirmed a specific date for its arrival in other markets, such as Spain or Mexico, nor for Android devices. The company has indicated that the feature complements its fitness strategy, which includes integration with Peloton and workout videos available from April 2026.
For cyclists, the tool can be useful in indoor cycling or stationary bike sessions, where Music adapted to intervals or a constant rhythm helps maintain intensity without the need to manually search for songs.However, it is not designed to detect pedaling cadence and does not sync with platforms like Zwift or TrainerRoad. Its use outdoors with headphones is not recommended for safety reasons.
A tool designed for training
Running Mode is not intended to replace apps to record your running times like Nike Run Club or Strava, but to solve a common task: find the right playlist for each workout without wasting timeUsers can choose from exercise types such as easy running, intervals, pyramid, or long distance, and adjust a slider to discover new music. Once the playlist is generated, it's possible to reorder the songs, add tracks, or refine the settings.
The feature has been well received by those who have tried it, noting that Matching the tempo of the music to the running cadence helps improve a sense of rhythmWhile a few tracks might feel a bit off, the overall experience is seamless and allows users to focus on their workout without distractions. Spotify, for its part, is reinforcing its commitment to personalized training with artificial intelligence, at a time when the platform is looking to expand the ways it supports its users.
With Running Mode, Spotify offers a practical solution for those who want music that adapts to their physical exertion. The feature has been available since the end of July for iOS Premium subscribers in seven countries, although there is still no date for Spain or Android.While it arrives, runners and cyclists can start preparing their playlists manually, although the promise of a soundtrack that keeps up with the training is already here.