Blue Cross launch Work Out Like A Dog boot camp
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Pet charity Blue Cross has teamed up with qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor Born Barikor for Work Out Like A Dog intensity training boot camp in Victoria Park.
Work Out Like A Dog has been created to get humans to understand and appreciate the health benefits that dogs get from their favourite outdoor activities by having people take on the role of dogs.
All the exercises in the 45-minute aerobic and conditioning workout for humans have either been adapted from a dog’s favourite exercises or have been directly inspired by man’s best friend. They include HIIT ball fetch, tug-of-war, Frisbee and mimicking a dog’s bag of tricks as part of a circuit routine.
The class was commissioned by the charity to raise awareness of how exercise keeps dogs healthy and happy, as high numbers of dogs arrive at the Blue Cross centres across the country due to behavioural needs stemmed from under-stimulus or lack of appropriate activities and exercise.
Work Out Like A Dog combines full-body strength training with high intensity cardio bursts to tone, improve endurance and fill participants with positive energy – in much the same way that regular exercise helps our four-legged friends stay not just physically but emotionally healthy too.
The boot camp will run daily from Monday 30th January to Friday 3rd February at 7.30am in Victoria Park, meeting at the Park Pavilion. Spots are available to book online for a suggested donation of £5 to Blue Cross. There is also a workout sheet available to download online for those who can’t make it to the classes.
Mandy Jones, director of re-homing from Blue Cross added “We hope the Work Out Like A Dog boot camp will be an eye-opener for dog owners and would-be dog owners. Humans can communicate when they feel frustrated or want a change of scenery; if they need to let off steam with a good long run they just head out and do it. By contrast most pet dogs are completely reliant on us picking up signals that they require some stimulation or have to spend some energy. This workout should remind everyone what a huge emotional and physical difference it can make when we get that right!
“Every year we take in high numbers of dogs from often heartbroken owners of pets with behavioural problems ranging from being mischievous to destructive and even aggressive. While each case is unique and complex, in a number of them issues arise from the pet being under-stimulated or frustrated, and we can see improvements when they start getting the right amount of play and exercise. That’s why, in addition to the clinical and re-homing work Blue Cross does we want to educate owners too; the more informed they are, the better equipped they’ll be to give their pets a long, healthy and happy life in a forever home.”
PT Born Barikor explained “Anyone would agree that in addition to losing weight or toning up, regular exercise acts as an incredible release for pent-up energy or stress. We weren’t designed to spend all day cooped up and sedentary – and neither were our furry friends! With Work Out Like A Dog we wanted participants to channel the joy a dog feels playing their favourite games in the park, as well as the physical benefits.”
