Collegiate floor routines are a treat to watch. Aside from the impressive tumbling, leaps, and jumps, the performances — the right performances — are full of expression, fierceness, and grace all the same. They are even more exciting when they’re set to hit songs we know and love. It’s kind of like being awe-stricken by an incredible athlete only to realize that they listen to the same tunes we do: it brings some familiarity and fun to the wow factor that is gymnastics.
As a former gymnast who did not have much variety when it came to picking my own floor music, I’m a huge fan of using popular songs on the collegiate level. Ahead, check out a handful of routines from the 2021 NCAA gymnastics season so far featuring hits you’ve most likely heard and sang along to (maybe in your car with the windows down!). There are major throwbacks (think: Prince and boy bands) and a classical version of Ariana Grande‘s “7 Rings.”