Today, the world (read: Facebook and Instagram) honors dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, and barks. While other on days it may seem easier to keep your head high, today makes it very hard to not get jealous of your friend’s silky, sultry, perky, perfect, pup. “I need to first do ______, and then I will get a dog,” we tell non-dog owners ourselves. But do you honestly think all dogs look that good naturally? Ok, yes, most probably do. Take it or leave it, all dogs are cute. BUT, for dogs with seriously busy owners, sometimes they need a little extra help losing the weight they accumulate via licking your plate. Much to these owners and dogs’ enjoyment, here at GymLion we have discovered the latest fitness trend to pump-you (clap!) – up! Hello GymLions, meet Doggie Gyms.
Aerobic and strength training K-9 fitness centers are popping up all around the country. Like human gyms, they offer a variety of membership options and amenities, such as agility and balance group classes, wellness programs, day-boarding, and self-grooming.
They look an awful lot like a human gyms too. Take a look at the photo below via Frolick Gyms and tell me it’s not a middle school CrossFit gym. Yes, that is a treadmill. And yes, the dog members are encouraged to ‘hit the showers’ after a long workout.
Source: Frolick Gym
Other dog gyms across the country are taking a different approach. Tricia Montgomery, President and Founder of K9 Fit Club, told CNBC last year, “You have to do it together, so you strengthen the human-animal bond. We as the pet owner must be the one to get our dogs motivated and moving by working out with them.” I actually think it would be really fun to workout with a pet (until someone else’s dog starts humping my leg when I am doing crunches!). Plus, it’s probably a great way to meet new people.
Source: K-9 Fit Club
In all seriousness, Dog Gyms are a great idea. Humans aren’t the only ones who suffer the negative side effects of obesity, such as heart disease, arthritis, and more. According to the Association for Pet Obesity, more than half of all dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese. And it is on the rise. That is really scary.
So if you’re a dog gym out there reading this, we would LOVE to invite you to join GymLion’s network of gyms. We are all about encouraging specimens of all kinds to be active and live healthy. Why not encourage dogs? Happy National Dog Day everyone!