UK pet charity Blue Cross has linked up with a PT and fitness instructor to create a new fitness bootcamp, Work Out Like A Dog, designed to help humans understand and appreciate the health benefits that dogs get from their favourite outdoor activities – by literally having people take on the role of dogs.

The class was commissioned from trainer Born Barikor by the charity to raise awareness of how exercise keeps dogs healthy and happy. 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  is the world’s first exercise class in which humans exercise like dogs – chasing a ball and bringing it back again and again and again, dashing around aimlessly, having a good old dig.

The exercises (which can be viewed on YouTube) last for 45-minutes and include aerobic and conditioning activities for humans which 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 a canine circuit routine.

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 dogs stay not just physically but emotionally healthy too.

The bootcamp will be running daily from Monday January 30^th to Friday February 3^rd  at 7.30am in London’s Victoria Park, meeting at the Park Pavilion. Spots are available to book via EventBrite with a suggested donation of £5 to Blue Cross. There is also a workout sheet available to download from Blue Cross for those who can’t make it to the classes.

Sarah Dickinson, Head of Media Relations for Blue Cross, says: “We hope the Work Out Like A Dog bootcamp 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!”

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