The Best Personal Trainer is your Dog

by Alyce Beard (September 2012)

Want to get fit and start a new healthy lifestyle? Are you suffering from some extra bulge this winter? Are you struggling with whether or not to commit to joining a gym and paying their excessive fees? Have you ever looked at the price of getting a personal trainer and been shocked?

Well struggle with this decision no longer as the best personal trainer is a dog and there are plenty waiting at rescue shelters around Australia waiting to be adopted.

The best way to start a new healthy lifestyle is to go for a walk. Pick a style and pace that suits you best and decide who you want to walk with you. Once you have fully dedicated yourself to a new healthy lifestyle then swing by a shelter or visit their websites and match your new fitness regime with the perfect personal trainer with four legs. A great website to check out is http://www.petrescue.com.au/rescue_directory/QLD for links to rescue websites and dogs available for adoption.

There will be no excuses once your dog has learnt the word ‘walkies.’ You won’t be able to say no to that excited happy face and wagging tail staring between you and the door with the lead in his mouth. Therefore the best motivational tool for your own fitness is to ensure that your dogs’ is maintained.

Regular exercise will improve you and your dog’s health as well as giving you some quality time together and having some fun. A walk is good for your cardiovascular fitness, blood pressure, muscles and your bones. Regular walks are also good for stress relief and social skills, for both you and your dog. As well as physical benefits for your dog, walks can also reduce aggressive behaviour, reduce stress related behaviours and improve mental stimulation.  

All dogs will benefit from regular walks but there are certain breeds that thrive from it. If you are a committed health freak (or soon to be) working breeds like the Australia Kelpie, Cattle Dog and Border Collies are all exceptional running buddies. Be sure however to plan before you decide to rescue any dog as you need to be 100% committed.

As soon as you have mastered the trip around the block feel free to expand and take your new personal trainer to bigger and better places, like off leash dog parks or beaches in your local area.

Dog Friendly Parks on the Gold Coast

“Dog Island,” Elanora

Schuster Park, Tallebudgera Creek

Frascott Park, Varsity Lakes

Albert Park, Broadbeach Waters

Rosser Park, Benowa

Musgrave Park, Southport

Burchill Park, Nerang

Pizzey Park, Miami

Designated Areas of the Following Beaches are Dog Friendly

Palm Beach/Currumbin Creek

Tallebudgera

The Southport Spit