Working Out with Your Dog

When you are looking to get in shape or be more active, your dog will be right there with you throughout the entire process. Seriously, a dog is the best gym membership money can buy! From motivation to fun, a dog is just the thing everyone needs to complete their fitness goals.

Here are some of our favorite ways you can boost your workout routine with Fido.

Walk

The first, and the most obvious, thing you can do to get moving, is to take Fido on a walk. This exercise is great for any dog breed and you can tailor it to fit exactly what you need. If you want a lighter workout, a walk around the neighborhood is great, or if your looking for something a little more intense, increasing your speed or finding a hill can be just what you need to get that extra boost.

Run

To take things a step above your walk, a run is the next thing you can do to burn some calories. This is a great exercise for high-energy dogs who love to run! A run can be anything from a job around the block to sprinting down the street.

The most important thing to remember is to pick a pace that is comfortable for both you and your pooch that you can maintain for the length of your workout. As you get more used to it, you can increase your pace or distance to make it more difficult.

If running with a leash in your hand is awkward for you, try getting a hands-free leash that wraps around your waist so you can keep your furry friend close by and still have your hands free.

Bike

If you are looking for a more long-distance workout for you and your pup, a bike ride is a great option! A bike gives you the option to choose between a leisurely cycle down the trail to a fast past adventure and anything in between. Biking is a great alternative to running if you don’t like running or if it’s hard on your joints.

The great thing is, your dog can come along. Dogs love to run alongside you on a bike ride! Most dogs are totally fast enough and it would be a great test of their endurance. However, holding a leash can be a little dangerous if they start to pull on you or if the leash gets caught up in your gears. That’s why it’s important to use a bicycle leash attachment to keep everyone safe.

Hike

Hiking provides some great cardio as well as a killer lower body workout. Not to mention, getting out onto a favorite trail to take in the scenery and get some fresh air with Fido is an amazing way to spend a few hours.

There are hikes that range from taking an hour to taking a few days so plan accordingly. You will need to bring plenty of water for you and for your pooch as well as snacks, and possibly even camping gear. For everything you need to know, check out this essential guide to hiking with your dog.

Yoga

Yoga is a great low-intensity exercise that will help you to increase your flexibility and strength., And, it’s not only for humans! There are great dog yoga poses too!

Known as Doga, dog yoga offers an abundance of yoga poses that will work for you and your dog to get some exercise and spend some time together.

Swimming

Swimming is a fantastic workout for humans as it is good for your cardiovascular system as well as target every major muscle group in your body. It takes all the weight off of your joints so it’s a great low-impact workout that Fido can join in on.

While some dogs may not enjoy the water, it can be hard to get others out of it! So, if your dog enjoys splashing around in a pool, consider taking them with you for your next pool day so you can get some exercise together!

Weight Training

If you are looking to do a more traditional weight training workout, your dog can get in on that too! While body weight is more than enough to get in a solid workout, if you are looking to add an extra challenge, your dog may be the key.

Many dog owners like to use their dogs to add difficulty to their workout. You could do this by using your pup as a weight for things like squats, lunges, or crunches, and your dog gets the added benefit of lots of attention from you!

There are tons of ways to get active with your pooch if you get creative! What is your favorite way to exercise with your pup?