Your pet can be your best workout partner. Grab your pet’s favourite toy or bone and try this indoor workout. You can do all the moves together, so both of you get to stay slim and strong while bonding. This workout is best suited during winter and monsoon.
They include a lot of flexibility, mobility and strength. Playing ‘catch me’ with your pet can double up as a cardio session too. At the end of the session, make sure that you and your pet hydrate, and don’t forget to treat your workout partner. This can also decrease stress levels while you drop weight. Doga, or Yoga with your dog, is another form of group workout that’s gaining popularity in western countries nowadays.
—The writer is a body transformation expert
Play squat a booty shaper: This workout keeps your pet engaged throughout as he has his eyes on his treat. You may find him shuffling and reaching up and scooping down, giving him a good workout session while you tone your booty. Stand in front of your dog with your feet a little more than hip-width apart. Turn your toes slightly outward, hold the treat up in your right hand. Push your hips back into a squat down and pass the treat under your left leg to your left. Return to start position and hold the treat in your left and hand and repeat. Perform 10 repetitions. That makes it 20 squats.
Bow Lunge: This is a very good game for your pet and hones its alertness while you work many muscle groups in your lower body, ensuring that soon you’ll be a diva in the making. Stand in front of your pet with your feet together and a toy in your right hand. Step, taking your left foot back as you lower into a lunge and bring your right arm to the floor. Hold it for three counts as you tap the treat on the floor and return to start position. That’s one step. Perform 10 repetitions on the same leg and switch sides.
Pet Jacks: Crouch down on the floor, in front of your pet while you hold the toy with both hands. Quickly jump up with your feet apart, landing on your full feet with your arms reaching above you in a wide ‘V’ holding the toy in the right hand. Jump your feet back together and crouch down again. This is one repetition. Repeat 10 times in total; alternate the toys on both sides.
Flipper Crunch: This exercise tones and strengthens your abdominal muscles while your dog gets its cardio. Sit tall with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart. Hold the pet’s toy with both your hands stretched out in front of you. Engage you abs as you round your spine and roll down on to your back as you reach your arms behind; lift your feet off the floor. Lower your legs and sit back up into the start position, bringing your arms back in front. Perform 10 repetitions of this step.
