America has gone to the dogs: bootcamp with pets
Source: Agencies |
June 24, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WITH obesity rates on the rise among Americans and their pets, two Californian women have come up with an all-in-one solution - a doggy bootcamp where dog owners and their canine friends work out together.
Thank Dog Bootcamp is the nation's first outdoor fitness program where both humans and dogs get a full body workout while the pooches also learn basic obedience skills.
Founded two years ago by identical twins Jill and Jamie Bowers, the program has classes all over California.
Classes begin as early as 6am with instructors in urban-camo pants yelling out drill-like commands in the traditional bootcamp style.
The difference here is that instructors are certified in both fitness and dog training, and each bootcamper happens to have a dog by their side. "People need to exercise, and dogs need to be trained and exercised," said Jill Bowers. "When you can do both at the same time in one hour before you even start your day, you can't beat it."
Newcomers begin with a one-on-one consultation and obedience lesson.
If you don't have a dog, you can borrow one from bootcampers who have more than one dog.
The class takes place in a public park with 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training. During the weight work, dogs learn to be at the "stay" command, which also trains them to stay put despite other distractions happening around them.
In 2009, about 28 percent of Americans aged 20 and over were obese, while about 43 percent of US dogs are overweight or obese.
Thank Dog Bootcamp is the nation's first outdoor fitness program where both humans and dogs get a full body workout while the pooches also learn basic obedience skills.
Founded two years ago by identical twins Jill and Jamie Bowers, the program has classes all over California.
Classes begin as early as 6am with instructors in urban-camo pants yelling out drill-like commands in the traditional bootcamp style.
The difference here is that instructors are certified in both fitness and dog training, and each bootcamper happens to have a dog by their side. "People need to exercise, and dogs need to be trained and exercised," said Jill Bowers. "When you can do both at the same time in one hour before you even start your day, you can't beat it."
Newcomers begin with a one-on-one consultation and obedience lesson.
If you don't have a dog, you can borrow one from bootcampers who have more than one dog.
The class takes place in a public park with 30 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training. During the weight work, dogs learn to be at the "stay" command, which also trains them to stay put despite other distractions happening around them.
In 2009, about 28 percent of Americans aged 20 and over were obese, while about 43 percent of US dogs are overweight or obese.
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