We all know that having a cardio workout buddy has multiple benefits. Certainly, anyone will tell you that you’re far more likely to stick to, and achieve, your fitness goals if you have one.
Why?
Well, there are several reasons:
-
A workout buddy keeps you
accountable and promotes consistency in training.
-
They can be a good source of
(healthy) competition.
-
Training partners make exercise
more enjoyable.
-
We all have our off days; a
workout buddy can provide support during challenging times.
Indeed, a study
by the Society of Behavioral Medicine showed that working with a partner doubled
the workout time of those who exercised alone.
But, of course, there are challenges in
finding the right partner (they’re rarely just lying around waiting for us to ‘pick’
them up). Both in terms of personality,
as well as fitness level. A mismatch clearly
leads to problems when it comes to the actual training part.
Consider also, that just because we might see
them as a perfect fit, does not necessarily mean they’ll share that view
(especially after a few sessions). This
is a two-way street after all.
And, even if you do find the perfect workout
buddy, there’s still the logistical issues to consider. Do your schedules match? What happens when the inevitable emergencies
arise? What do you do when they (or you)
move houses (or cities)? You get the
drift.
Luckily, there is a ready-made training
partner available that you may not have considered before (at least not in that
light). With the right mindset and
approach your very own four-legged friend can, in fact, make an exceptional workout
buddy. How, exactly?
Firstly, there are no personality or
logistical issues to worry about.
They’re not about to move cities or reschedule because of a diary clash,
for example. They don’t make excuses either
(to themselves or to you). And you
already get along swimmingly well.
Of course, that’s the easy part. Even the worst workout buddy can be a good personality
and logistical match. What about when it
come to the stuff that creates the results?
That banishes those extra inches and tones that body? You know, the cardio itself.
Well, with the right approach your canine
friend can easily tick those boxes too.
The first thing to do is to create a routine
that suits. Find exercises and
activities that you can do with your pooch … and that they enjoy doing. Running is an obvious one. We’ve even
seen a number of videos on youtube
where dogs do lunges with their masters. Bottom line: get creative!
The second thing to do to is to embed the
routine. Once you have them excited
about doing the exercises, make sure they know when to expect to do them. If they enjoy it, and they know when it takes
place, they WILL let you know when it’s time.
They’ll also be sure to let you know how important it is that you
actually do it with them. How’s that for
an accountability partner!
To heighten their commitment, consider
scheduling it as the first activity of their day, so they’ll be even more
anxious to get outside. If it’s the
first outing, knowing that they’ll need to go to the bathroom will also be a
powerful motivator for you. And we all
know starting something is often the hardest part (particularly on our ‘off’
days). Once you’re outside, it’s easier
to commit to getting the rest done!
What about the other motivating factors a
good cardio workout buddy can provide?
We mentioned two other factors: a good source of competition and making
the sessions more enjoyable. Our pooch
pals can help with those, too.
Again, the design of the routine is key
here. Spend some time thinking through
what you’ll both enjoy and, importantly, are good (enough) at. We recommend a google search for outdoor ‘activities
/ exercises / games’ you can do with your dog.
The more tailored and interactive you can make the exercises, the more
you’ll be able to engage in friendly competition as well as forget that you’re
actually exercising … which can increase the enjoyment.
Lastly, use of rewards and feeling good in yourself have also been shown to play an important part in our ability to achieve our fitness goals. When we look good, we feel more motivated to be our best in other areas too. And rewarding both ourselves and our pets for a job well done also boosts our future commitment. Sites like www.poochandpoodle.com have cool hoodies and other stylish dog-themed apparel for you, as well as gifts for your pooch pal, that’ll have you both feeling like a ‘job well done’.
