Your best workout buddy is your dog

Your dog could actually make your workouts a little more challenging and way more fun

Art by Saii Shah

Have you ever thought about working out with your dog? 

No, we don’t just mean running with your pet outside but if that serves as a good cardio workout, then by all means go for it. We’re talking actual indoor workouts you can do with your pet. They could actually make your workouts a little more challenging and, of course, fun. If you’re wondering what indoor strength and cardio workouts you can do with your little furball, here are a few to consider: 

Hide and seek squat

1. Grab your pet’s favorite treat
2. Stand in front of your dog with your feet wide apart or in squat position
3. Do squats while holding your dog’s favorite treat and pass the treat under your left leg from your right hand to your left—challenging your dog to find the treat
4. Do 10 reps for a full body burn

Pup push-ups

1. Start in a modified push-up position
2. While holding your dog’s toy on your right hand, slowly lower your body as you push up
3. Once you press up, raise your right arm (holding the toy) until your dog taps it
4. Do this 10 times per arm for a killer shoulder and ab workout

Chasing crunch

1. Sit on a mat with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor and hip-width apart
2. Start by holding your dog’s toy in front of them
3. Hold your abs in and roll down on your back while lifting your feet from the floor like a typical crunches workout. Make sure your dog chases their toy while you roll down
4. Return to sitting position while holding your dog’s toy so they can chase after it
5. Do this 10 times for a total ab workout for you and a cardio workout for your dog

Doggo forward and rear lunges

1. Hold your dog in a low position like a Zercher squat. You can imagine your dog as a replacement for weights here
2. Slowly step forward or backward
3. Make sure to keep your chest up and avoid your knees from touching the floor.
4. Do this 30 times per leg to strengthen your glutes, quadriceps, legs, and hamstrings

Burpees and bounds

1. Start in a standing position
2. Throw your dog’s favorite toy as far as you can. While your pet’s chasing the toy, perform as many burpees as you can until it returns
3. Do this five times and challenge yourself to do as many burpees as you can to complete the full body workout