Spotify is doubling down on the booming fitness market, launching a new AI-powered feature designed to keep runners engaged on the platform while delivering a more personalised workout experience.
Dubbed Running Mode, the new feature transforms playlists into tailored running sessions, matching music to a user’s pace, workout style and personal music taste. The launch represents Spotify’s latest play to deepen engagement with fitness-focused users, a cohort that already turns to the platform in huge numbers for workout playlists.
The feature is rolling out to iOS users in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland.
“Sometimes the difference between a good run and a great run is the right playlist. That’s why we’re introducing Running Mode, a new personalized running experience that transforms playlists into running sessions tailored to your goals, music taste, and tempo,” Spotify said in a blog post.
“Whether you’re training for a race, heading out for an easy jog, or just want a more motivating walk, Running Mode helps you spend less time hunting for the right music and more time moving.”
Users can choose from 25 curated running presets before customising their workout type—such as interval, steady or pyramid sessions—alongside duration, beats per minute and the style of music they’d like to hear. Spotify then builds a soundtrack that adapts to the selected tempo, aiming to create a more seamless and motivating listening experience.
The feature also includes optional AI-generated audio cues, currently available in English only, that provide encouragement and guidance throughout a workout.
Running Mode builds on Spotify’s growing investment in AI-powered personalisation. The company said fitness prompts have been among the most popular uses of its Prompted Playlists feature over the past year, inspiring the development of a dedicated running experience.
“Running Mode gives you personalised music, matches beats to your selected tempo, and seamlessly moves through tracks for a more fluid, motivating soundtrack,” Spotify said.
The launch also strengthens Spotify’s broader push into fitness, complementing existing workout content on the platform, including Peloton classes and creator-led fitness videos.
The timing arrives just months after fitness app Strava announced its Record feature would no longer integrate Spotify, creating an opportunity for the streaming giant to build more workout functionality directly into its own app.
