Pets Don't Make Good Workout Partners

By Bonnie Pfiester

Someone recently asked my opinion on power-walking with a pet. Although I don’t personally recommend pets for workout partners, I feel the same way about partnering up with anyone who could slow down your intensity or distract you.

My suggestion would be to completely separate walking your pet and exercising your body. Walking a pet is great for daily activity, but not for fat-burning cardiovascular exercise. Many people would consider their morning walk exercise. However, most people don’t get their heart rate high enough for it to actually be considered exercise.

Your exercise regimen should be very purposeful, with as little distractions as possible. For a fat-burning workout, it is important to keep your heart rate up and keep it steady. Your pace must be set by you, not your pet. Exercising with a pet only works if your pet is a well-trained and experienced fitness partner.

From time to time, I will see a person power walking or running very effectively with their dog. Nevertheless, this is extremely rare. A dog would have to learn how to consistently "heel"; staying right by your side, while keeping up with your pace.

Another reason you would need a well-trained dog is because you would need to be able to swing your arms freely for the most effective workout. This means your pet would need to stay by your side while allowing the leash to hang freely. If you are controlling your pet with one hand, you are unable to add upper body rotation which increases the heart rate and tightens the mid-section.

Although my dog, Tank, walks very nicely by my side and even allows me to swing my arms, he's a slow-poke. I have to admit I love walking my dog, but the only one exercising is Tank - not me.

There are simply too many variables when you bring your pet along. People will want to stop and pet your dog. If you are like me, you are proud of your pet and enjoy showing your "baby" off. Another obstacle is that animals are easily distracted, which can also slow you down. Dogs will want to stop and sniff things or use the restroom. Each time they slow down, or stop, so does your heart rate.

Unless your dog is in better shape than you are, or you need your dog to drag you around the block in order to get you out of the house, I say leave the pet at home. When it comes to choosing a workout partner, pet or not, your ideal partner should match or challenge your own intensity and pace.

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