Getting Fit With Your Dog In 2020

It's that time of year again - most of us are looking at ways that we can become healthier and improve our lives and health in 2020. Many of you will have signed up to gyms, fitness classes etc however there are many free ways you can get fit in 2020 without costing you any money while also benefiting your dog. There are so many dog and owner workouts to try in order to get fitter and healthier; browse this foolproof guide to see which activities are perfect for you and your furry friend.

1. Running

Jogging with your dog can be easy with some practice. Curious dogs prone to sniffing and wandering can make running difficult and unproductive, but with the right leash and running equipment, you and your four-legged friend will be well trained for your first 10k race in no time. You can even hire a personal trainer who can incorporate your dog into your running exercises.

2. Walking

This might seem like an obvious exercise, but long walks out in the open are the best way to build your fitness, particularly if you're not used to exercising. Dogs need daily walks in order to get out of the house and stay lean, so take this as an opportunity to push your own physical limits and raise your blood pressure. Change up your walking routes to more hilly terrain, sure to tone your calf muscles; make sure to have your pedometer on you during your trip to measure how many steps you take. Make Sundays your longer hiking days and take your canine friend on car rides to get to some scenic countryside routes, giving your dog new scents to explore while you absorb the picturesque views. Walking doesn't have to be a mundane task and can be a great first step to your exercise-fuelled new year.

3. Doggy team sports

Team sports aren't reserved solely for humans: dogs can enjoy them too. Flyball is an adrenaline-pumping sport, sure to be more entertaining than the World Cup final. Teams of dogs race over hurdles in order to return a tennis ball back to their owners. Getting your dog trained enough for the big event is easier said than done and might involve a lot of chasing and jumping after abandoned tennis balls. This sport is guaranteed to get your muscles moving; you might even wake up with aching limbs the next day.

4. Competitions

For dog owners who want to try something different, why not enter your animal into a competition? Agility trials and obedience training can teach your dog many new tricks and even have the ability to transform the most unruly pooches into obedient lap dogs. You will be surprised at just how fit you can get while training up your dog for a competition, especially if you have to keep up with them on an obstacle course. There are sure to be many competitions in your local area but if you lack a competitive streak, training and trials are still a fun way to get some exercise with man's best friend.

5. Dog yoga

Both you and your dog can embrace your inner zen with this quirky exercise idea. Yoga is designed to improve strength and flexibility; why not achieve this with your furry friend at your side? Try to master some of the doggy yoga poses in your own home, or even attend a yoga class intended for you to build a stronger bond with your pooch while you get fitter.

6. Walking workout

You can incoporate a workout into your walk which will help you both, such as below Sample Workout: Start with a 5-10 minute walk to keep your dog moving 5 - 10 push-ups on a picnic table or on the ground with your dog in a sit 30 second walk followed by a 10 second sprint 30 second plank 30 walking lunges Repeat 5 times With so many different exercises to choose from, there's no reason why you and your dog can't get fit together in 2020.