Thank god, there's a pleasant way to get fit.

Dancing seems to be back in fashion, but I mean proper dancing like they did in the olden days.

Jive Party is a swing & jive shindig with a little sprinkling of R'n'B, blues and soul, that takes place every third Saturday of the month at the Rivoli Ballroom in Lewisham, which flaunts an accommodating sprung wooden dancefloor lined with gingham clad tables and chairs and some fabulous oversized Oriental lanterns. Appropriately retro attire is encouraged, but if you really want to look the part you'd better join the 40-minute Modern French Jive lessons beforehand.

Apart from the plethora of salsa and tango nights pervading the city, there's also Rakehell's Revels at Oscar Wilde's old haunt, The Grill Room at the Café Royal, where David (Modern Times Club) & Wade proffer a free night of vintage soul, beat, swing and Latin, with the occasional touch of burlesque.

So if that gym membership card that you foolishly signed up for is languishing in the bottom of your purse or wallet, this is a much better way to get some exercise, as it's actually fun and you don't have to wear synthetic sportswear either.