Gabrielle Union Stays Motivated at the Gym Thanks to These 5 Badass Female Artists

Gabrielle Union likes to work out because it maintains her peace, she told POPSUGAR previously. Once comparing her body and goals to others, she now concerns herself with the woman in the mirror looking back at her. "The only person you should be competing against is you," she said, "and who you were the day before. And just trying to be a little bit better, a little bit more consistent, a little bit more authentic."

But the 47-year-old actress — who posts many glimpses into her sweat sessions on social media and recently opened up an Amazon storefront full of fitness essentials — also told us that she needs a good playlist to get motivated to exercise. If she's surrounded by in-the-zone, encouraging people at the gym, the only other thing that's sure to keep her going is put-in-work music.

If badass women are pumping through the airwaves — women like Beyoncé, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Saweetie (Gabrielle's cousin, fun fact), and Megan Thee Stallion, Gabrielle specified — it gives her extra motivation. "It's like sometimes you just need that song that makes you go, 'OK, OK! That's my song!'" she exclaimed. And if she doesn't know the music playing, then her workouts feel extra long (we can relate, big time). When it's one of those artists she loves, especially "the women that inspire" her, it's game on.

Ahead, check out a playlist nodding to the female singers Gabrielle listens to during workouts. You'll find the full Spotify playlist and each get-moving hit on YouTube. Stride along to Beyoncé's "Run the World (Girls)" and lift weights with the beat of Nicki Minaj's "Megatron." We — and Gabrielle — support you!