Dogs Give a Better Workout Than The Gym

If you're a dog owner, your pooch could be more than just your best friend. According to new research, Fido could be your workout buddy too.

A study conducted by a British pet healthcare company, Bob Martin, evaluated the amount of exercise dog owners get compared those with gym memberships. Turns out, being the master of a playful pooch is good for you and your health. The average dog owner walks twice a day for 24 minutes each time, plus three longer walks a week at 51 minutes each. That adds up to eight hours and nine minutes a week of exercise -- compared to just one hour and 20 minutes a week that the average gym-goer gets.

Granted, some will say that walking lacks high-intensity aerobic and muscular challenges. But, in a society where nearly half of all people admit to zero exercise, walking your dog is better than nothing. As a matter of fact, eight hours of doing so each week can burn 1,800 calories. Add in some hills or running and you can shake off even more calories. What's more, outdoor exercise encourages people to workout longer and harder, while providing a mood boost and vitamin D from being out in the sunshine.
A spokesman for Bob Martin stated, "Owning a dog makes us more healthy. The Government recommends 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise three to five times per week, and it's encouraging to see that dog walkers are exceeding this target and enjoying it at the same time."

Enjoying it, indeed. Eighty-six percent of dog owners said they like walking with their best friend, compared to just 16 percent of people who like going to the gym. In fact, most people perceive going to the gym as a chore.

But instead of feeling like a chore, having a dog is more likely to be a motivator. Dogs won't let excuses get in the way of a workout. They will encourage you go farther and play harder. They won't size you up like people at a gym may. And they will remind you of the sheer joy of chasing a ball. In our eyes, you couldn't ask for a better training partner.

Check out Pawnation, if you need tips on how to run with your dog. When you're done walking or running, check out another way of exercising with your dog.