"In a shop, surface wiring in conduit is the only way to go for everything IMHO. It's easy to make changes and matches the later additions when you need them. It's a little more work but worth the effort in the end. Plastic conduit is cheap and easy to install, but use metal boxes. Surface mount the breaker panel also."
This, but I would use the metal conduit. Current shop is wired in the walls with insulation and sheetrock. Thought I put enough extra in for expansion. WRONG! Now I wish I had put everything external.
I've got ceiling mounted outlets above each work area. Would do again.