by Matt Bird

Created on: May 18, 2009

Jogging isn't always an easy task. Even for those who do it every day, getting into the proper rhythm, or even just the proper mood, can be difficult. What's more, it can be tough to keep motivated once you're on the road: fatigue mounts up quickly no matter how strong you are, and the temptation to stop can soon become overwhelming.

My solution? Get the right music running on your CD or MP3 player. The right tracks at the right times can really keep your motivation high and allow you to (literally) run that extra mile. Here are some of my favorite songs or bands to jog to, and, in some cases, when it's best to listen to them during your jog.

Eye of the Tiger, by Survivor: Yes, it's horribly cliche, but what can I say? The cream of the fight really gets me pumped to go for the long haul. Chances are good it's energy by association (Eye of the Tiger, for those of you who don't know, is famous for its part in Rocky III), but I don't care: the steady beat is good for regularizing breathing, and the lyrics practically insist you beat out everyone else. Best for those end bits where you're starting to fall apart and need some motivation.

Kryptonite, by 3 Doors Down: If it has to do with Superman, it's usually going to have the energy you need. And while Kryptonite is a little darker than most similarly themed songs it has the regular beat needed to keep your legs moving. I prefer Kryptonite at the start as a motivator.

Anything by Avenged Sevenfold: Aside from a few of their calmer selections most of Avenged Sevenfold's stuff is high-energy and makes you feel like a real cool guy or gal. I especially like A Little Piece of Heaven, mainly because it has a long narrative - you'll pay attention so closely to what's happening in it that you won't necessarily notice how tired you are.

You Know My Name, by Chris Cornell: An odd choice considering it's the theme for the Bond movie Casino Royale, but I can't help but love this one. There's an element to danger in it that keeps you flying down the paths, as though somebody's gonna jump out of the bushes with a gun at any moment.

I'm an A*hole, by Dennis Leary: You'll be so busy singing along to Dennis Leary and his jerkish ways that you won't realize that your legs are wobbly. Just don't sing so hard that you hyperventilate.

Through the Fire and Flames, by DragonForce: It may be a Guitar Hero song at heart, but the frantic pace of this one is great for those who really want to get into their jog - perhaps to the point

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>