Trainer’s workout routine to get you and your dog fit

Your waistline may be still be suffering from the effects of the Christmas splurge – and your pet’s too.

But now a fitness instructor has devised a workout to get you and your dog back into shape. 

Annie Brooks has shared a YouTube video to urge people to include their furry friend in their health kick this January – and says doing so can be fun and motivating.

The clip has been released in collaboration with Pets at Home, which discovered that dogs in the UK are on average 22 per cent over their ideal weight.

Ms Brooks, along with her shih tzu poodle cross Winnie, demonstrates a routine that give a full body workout and can easily be done at home with your dog with a range of toys.

 

Annie Brooks has shared a video on how to include your furry friend in your health kick

The blogger and her shih tzu poodle cross Winnie demonstrate the full body workout routine

The blogger and her shih tzu poodle cross Winnie demonstrate the full body workout routine

The qualified spin instructor, from Loughborough in Leicestershire, who writes the blog Tales of Annie Bean, has said: ‘January is the month of new but it’s hard to keep motivated and to always make the time for a workout, especially if you have a dog to look after and walk too. 

‘Working out with your dog makes so much sense and it was really easy to incorporate Winnie, she absolutely loved it and just thought we were playing.’  

Here is Ms Brooks’ workout below:

Warm up – jog on the spot

Ms Brooks recommends warming up by jogging on the spot ¿ encouraging your pet to join in

Ms Brooks recommends warming up by jogging on the spot – encouraging your pet to join in

Jog on the spot, alternating a fast and slow pace for 45 seconds each time.  Encourage your dog to join in too.

Alternatively, power walk to an open field where you can continue the workout. 

Side shuffles (with a dog toy in each hand)

The spin instructor demonstrates how to do side shuffles to encourage your dog to move too

The spin instructor demonstrates how to do side shuffles to encourage your dog to move too

Mark out a distance with cones and shuffle sideways with a dog toy in your hand, touching the floor at each marker. 

Your dog will chase and run the distance of the shuffles in pursuit of the toy.

Ice skaters (holding dog toys)

Mimic the movement of an ice skater hopping from one leg to the other, with a dog toy in each hand. Bring the toy down to your ankle with each movement – where the toys go your dog should follow.

She uses dog toys to prompt Winnie to follow her lead as she performs ice skaters

She uses dog toys to prompt Winnie to follow her lead as she performs ice skaters

Ball throws and squats with back lunges

Lunge as you throw your dog's ball and squat while he or she fetches it

Lunge as you throw your dog’s ball and squat while he or she fetches it

Begin with a back lunge which will take you nicely into a ball throw position, throw your dog’s ball and then do 20 squats until your dog returns the ball. 

For a less intense option, use a dog ball thrower instead. 

Plyometric lunges 

Encourage your pet to run round you as you carry out plyometric lunges

Encourage your pet to run round you as you carry out plyometric lunges

To get into the starting position, stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Next, step forward with your right foot.

Begin exercise by lowering body down until your forward (right) thigh is parallel to the ground and back knee is almost touching the ground.

Then jump back up and alternate leg positions in the air. As you land drop back down into the lunge and then jump back up and switch feet positions again.

Holding a heavy dog toy in each hand while doing the lunges will ensure you’re working your arms and legs.

Encourage your dog to run around while you do this.

YORKSHIRE TOWN HAS THE FATTEST DOGS 

The average UK dog is 22 per cent overweight, according to a study carried out last year by Pets at Home.

The pet supplies retailer analysed the weights of more than half-a-million dogs during visits to their group of vet practices.

Swinton in Yorkshire were found to have the heaviest canines in the country.  

Similar results are found in Edgware, Dundee and Beckton, where dogs are found to be 47% over their guideline weight. 

The towns most likely to have dogs of a healthy weight included Consett, Barnard Castle, Berkley and Balerno.

Cool down – walk and stretch

End the workout with a short dog walk to cool down and then stretch out your muscles. 

Dr Maeve Moorcroft, head of pets at Pets at Home, warned pet owners  

She said: ‘Dogs that are carrying extra weight are susceptible to all sorts of health problems including damage to joints, bones and ligaments, problems with breathing and digestion and even quality and length of life in extreme cases.

‘Getting your dog involved in your own routine workout is a great way to keep their weight in check, for both parties, and kills to birds with one stone. 

‘Your dog will get more attention and play-time and you get in a daily workout that’s good fun.’  



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