Walking songs range from wistful and introspective (Nico's These Days) to anthemic and uplifting (Aerosmith's Walk This Way). But the perfect soundtrack to a brisk walk needs songs with a steady, metronomic rhythm which propels them (and you) from start to finish.

Begin with the slow-burning grind of the Meters' Cissy Strut, an instrumental funk workout which should get you moving. Horst Jankowski's chirpy A Walk in the Black Forest will keep this momentum going, then give it some gas with the Jesse Powell Orchestra's swinging The Walking Blues (Walk Right In, Walk Right Out).

Now you're motoring, it's best to select tracks that will help maintain the pace, perhaps raising it occasionally with something uptempo such as the Ikettes' fabulously frantic Camel Walk. Richie Havens' Going Back to My Roots builds with a giddy sense of propulsion, while the jump blues of Jimmy McCracklin's The Walk and galloping euphoria of Elvis's Walk a Mile in My Shoes should put a spring in your step.

Finally, recreate the classic scene from Reservoir Dogs (in fast-forward rather than slow motion) with the George Baker Selection's Little Green Bag, driven along by its irresistible bassline, and finish off with surf classic Walk Don't Run by the Ventures, a title entirely in keeping with your workout.

Spotify users can add the Walk Yourself Fit playlist at tinyurl.com/yb8w67r