A little extra weight on a dog, even just a few pounds, can have a big effect on their health.
Along with diabetes, overweight dogs can have joint and back issues, difficulty breathing, decreased liver function and more.
Unlike their owners, dogs can’t just hop in the car and head down to the gym for a workout.
K9 Fit Club, 6525 W. 28th St., helps pet parents make fitness a priority for their dogs — and themselves —by offering exercise classes in an instructor led, dog friendly environment.
“The classes are really unique in that you get to workout with your pet,” Marta Wilkinson, club co-owner and master trainer said. “Your pet is your teammate and moral support. And they get to workout too.”
The hour-long classes are limited to four dogs and their owners and offer a variety of programs for people and pooches of all fitness levels.
Master trainers with the program have taken educational classes on the human and canine body as well as passed a rigorous certification exam, Wilkinson explained.
“You could be very fit and have a couch potato dog, or you could both be couch potatoes,” Wilkinson said, laughing. “Dogs need to exercise for the same reasons people do. They want to feel good and will live longer.
“Plus it allows you to bond with your dog,” she added.
The Begging for Beginners Class, a requirement for all participants, is a 6-week long instructional class that helps dogs and their humans get familiar with the equipment, exercises and working out together.
Bow Wow Boot Camp offers a more advanced curriculum combining strength, agility and cardio with a circuit-training format.
For those looking for more of a lower-impact class, the program’s Namasitstay is a form of yoga. The class uses massage and stretching techniques for both humans and dogs.
Sit, Stay, Get Fit is geared toward individuals with disabilities or medical conditions that don’t allow them to work out in a traditional sense. The class prepares students to take the Begging for Beginners class by starting a physical routine and learning obedience training.
Butts, Guts and Mutts focuses on abdomen and glute muscles in both humans and dogs and is a higher intensity workout.
For pups that need extra attention to their waistlines, the Just the Dog class offers one-on-one opportunities for dogs to work with trainers on strength, cardio and agility skills.
There is a list of requirements for each dog and parent duo such as proof of updated vaccinations, signed approval from your vet and current use of flea and tick medication. Dogs must also be comfortable being around other dogs and people.
“We can work with dogs that have arthritis as long as their vet signs off on it,” Wilkinson said. “We just want to make sure the dogs are healthy so that everyone in the class is healthy.”
While a majority of the equipment is supplied at the class — steps, peanut balls, exercise balls and more— owners will need to bring a four to six-foot leash, buckle collar or harness, water for both themselves and their dog, a bowl, treats and a towel.
Dr. Rebecca Hubert, co-owner of the fitness club and master trainer, is excited to offer humans and dogs in the community the opportunity to strengthen their bond by exercising together.
“All of us would like to get into shape and have fun,” Hubert said. “Exercise shouldn’t feel like work or be hard.”
In addition to exercising dogs’ bodies, the classes exercise their minds as well, Wilkinson said.
“It is very enriching for the dogs. And just like training or agility classes, it makes the dog think and pay attention to you,” she said. “When we are doing an exercise that involves them, they have to pay attention to their owner.”
The journey into fitness is a personal one for Wilkinson. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a few years ago, Wilkinson knew she had to make some serious lifestyle changes for the benefit of her health.
For more information on class times, prices and requirements, contact Marta Wilkinson at k9fitclub@wrah.net.
