How Man’s Best Friend Can Help You Get Into Shape

May 13 2014

How Man’s Best Friend Can Help You Get Into Shape

A workout partner might be closer you than you think. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who own a dog (83.3 million domesticated dogs in the U.S. according to the Humane Society), you already have a partner who’s eager to run, play and get burn calories by your side. For some helpful tips on how to exercise with man’s best friend, keep reading.

Benefits of Exercising With Your Dog:

• Fun way to mix up your normal workout routine.
• Creates a stronger emotional bond between you and your dog.
• Burns calories.
• Builds muscle.
• Dogs love to run and play outside.
• May increase your dog’s lifespan by helping to prevent obesity and related disease.

Walk Your Dog

Don’t just open the back door where your dog can roam free, but instead walk your dog each and every time. Taking your dog for short walks around the neighborhood is an excellent cardio workout, especially when you do it several times a day. Both you and your dog will benefit from these short walking sessions, as it burns calories while improving muscle tone.

Of course, you should only walk your dog while it’s on a leash. Even if your dog is well trained, there’s always a chance of another dog or animal catching its attention. Walking your dog on a leash will ensure the safety of both it and other animals.

Bike With Your Dog

Another idea is to go biking with your dog. Assuming your dog is a medium-to-large sized breed, they should have no problem keeping up with you. In fact, most dogs love the challenge of trying to keep up with their owner.

It’s important to note, however, that owners should only bike with their dog inside dog parts or other canine-designated areas. Check online to see if there are any dog parks in your area. Some of these parks are small and contain nothing more than an enclosed field of grass, but others are larger and feature full bike trails.

Hike With Your Dog

With summer right around the corner, there’s no better time than now to take your dog on a good hike. Dogs are inquisitive creatures that naturally love adventurous hikes through the woods. Just remember to choose a safe trail without any steep cliffs or other hazards. If you’re unsure about a particular trail, scout it out for yourself to see whether or not it’s suitable for your dog.