The Dog Parent’s Workout
Dates & Times TBD
Ever notice how strong you need to be to keep up with your dog? Dog parents confront numerous strength and conditioning challenges on a daily basis: being dragged by an exuberant pup on a leash walk when a squirrel runs past, lifting a senior dog into the car, throwing a tennis ball again and again and again for your retriever. The physical demands are higher if you compete in agility, rally obedience, or another sport. You know that the better your physical conditioning, the longer you can compete, train, and play with your dog without pain or fatigue.
This one-of-a-kind class is a cardio interval and strength circuit designed specifically to help you keep up with your dog, whether in performance sports or routine care for your canine companion, while avoiding injury to yourself. The exercises selected reflect the needs of a dog handler and are presented from a dog-lover’s point of view—including some fun and silly games for the “active rest” and “cool down” portions of class.
Class format is a circuit of stations that participants rotate through at timed intervals, with individuals performing each exercise at the pace and level that is appropriate for them. Stations will include a wide variety of exercises to work the cardiovascular system and all muscle groups, including the core, plus balance and agility drills. The instructor will teach each exercise at the beginning of each class, so don't worry about not knowing what to do.
Because you will be exercising at your own pace, you can benefit from this class whether you are a beginner, a gym rat, or a weekend warrior. Regardless of your current fitness level, you will burn fat, tone muscles, and build strength. Prerequisite: you must be able to walk 30 minutes without resting.
Bring to class plenty of water and a mat or towel. For their safety, no dogs allowed in class.
Judy Wolff is certified as a personal trainer by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She teaches fitness classes at Acton-Boxborough Community Ed. and trains clients privately in their homes. She holds several world records in the bench press in the women's 55-59 age class. She is also the proud parent to 3 senior Labrador Retrievers (all rescues).