Another year, another promise that this year I’ll eat better, exercise more and lose all that weight I put on at Christmas in time for my summer on the beach!

It’s the same old story, but I’m pleased to say that my new year began with a 10 mile hike in the woods and fields near where I live.  Whilst trudging up hills and down vales I got to thinking about the perfect workout soundtrack, and it occurred to me that generally speaking, I follow the trend of running and pumping iron whilst listening to music with a pounding bass.  Metal is a good option, but dance music is perhaps a more popular choice.

Of course, it makes perfect sense: we listen to music with a regular beat and a fast tempo to help us get into a decent rhythm whilst running, rowing or cycling, and this in turn helps to get our heart beating faster.  It’s simple logic with proven physiological results.

The problem is that dance music can get tedious after a while.  It serves a functional purpose in getting us moving, but it can be terribly exciting.  So I got to thinking about alternatives, and after discussion with my friend Joel as we marched through the local countryside, we concluded that Jazz offers a wonderfully interesting alternative.  It has all that one could ask for in terms of tempo, whilst offering the melodic variety to keep a keen listener interested and focussed on something other than the stitch in their side!

Here, then, is my offering to all who wish to explore this concept:

This 5 track playlist is designed primarily for a 25 minute cardiovascular workout, starting off relatively gently and picking up pace before slowing back down to cool-off tempo.  Give it a whirl, and then dependent upon your level of fitness, why not grow the playlist to suit your own pace and stamina?  There’s a whole world of jazz out there to explore, and there is something for every kind of activity, from the fast-paced to the positively placid.  Enjoy it! 🙂