Having trouble sticking to an exercise program? Research shows that dogs are actually Nature’s perfect personal trainers—loyal, hardworking, energetic and enthusiastic. Also, it may be more effective than a personal trainer! And, unlike your friends, who may skip an exercise session because of appointments, extra chores or bad weather, dogs never give you an excuse to forego exercising.
What are the benefits of regular exercise? Dr. Joanna Kruk reviewed medical literature describing the health benefits of exercise. Her research showed that the risk of developing a number of serious health problems is reduced by physical activity and exercise:
- Breast cancer risk reduced by 75 percent
- Heart disease risk decreased by 49 percent
- Diabetes risk lowered by 35 percent
- Colon cancer risk decreased by 22 percent
Source: Why Walking Your Dog is Great Exercise
Researchers have found that dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than someone with a gym membership. Those without a dog spend an average of just one hour and 20 minutes a week exercising by going to the gym or heading out for a stroll or jog. Worse still, almost half – 47 per cent – of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely no exercise whatsoever.
A spokesman for Bob Martin said: ‘A couple of short walks a day soon adds up and this research shows that it amounts to more time than people spend in the gym.’ The survey showed that having a dog to walk actually encourages regular exercise with 60 per cent of pet owners saying they always go for a walk with their dog – even when time is precious. But 46 per cent of gym-goers admit they often find other things to do to get out of doing exercise.
More than half of dog owners think walking their pet is a great way to meet new people. The spokesman said: ‘Owning a dog makes us more healthy. It is recommended that 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise is done 3-5 times per week and it’s encouraging to see that dog walkers are exceeding this target and enjoying it at the same time.’
Source:Â Walking Your Dog Beats the Gym
