Why My Dog is the World's Best Personal Trainer

There is, SURPRISE, a new fitness trend.  Honestly is seems like every time I turn around there is a new fitness trend.  One week it is workout with light weight, the next week it is heavy weight, then no weight and loud music, then no weight and no music but the room temperature must approximate hell, then heavy weight, thrown at your friend, who must catch it , throw it back, do 7 Burpies, complete a reverse back handspring, cut off an ear and recite the first 5 lines of the Communist Manifesto in Latin before again catching it, or as most people call it, CrossFit.

But this new fitness trend may be the most revolutionary idea yet.  It is guaranteed to work for people of all ages and ability levels.  It may just be the perfect form of working out.  Are you ready for this?  Are you sure?  Okay, introducing: Walking the Dog!  "Wait," you say.  "That is not new nor revolutionary!"  How wrong you are.   According to BostInno, K-9 Fit Club offers a revolutionary new class where "both you and Fido can improve your health."

Okay, so there is nothing new about exercising with a dog.  As with most "New and Exciting Fitness Trends" the only thing new is the name or the snappy television commercial.  As I was about to dismiss this "fitness trend" as more of the same it occurred to me that not only is this not a new idea, dogs are very possibly the original, and world's best, personal trainer.  Let's use my research assistant Matilda as an example.

She is a Great Motivator: From the moment she wakes up to the moment she falls asleep Matilda encourages me to work out.  She stands by the door, stares at her leash, headbuts my hands, bounces around making a sound that sounds distinctly like "Can we PLEEEEEEEEEEASE go for a run?"  and brings me ropes or balls or other objects until I either have to kill her or go exercise.   And since killing your research assistant is frowned upon in the Lower 48, exercise it is!

She Encourages Me to Eat Better: When I am eating something delicious, or by definition, unhealthy, Matilda stares daggers at me until I am overcome by guilt and give the remainder to her.  By contrast, if I am eating something healthy such as fruit, vegetables, baked meat or NOT delicious items, she is nowhere to be found and I end up eating the whole thing.

She Lives the Lifestyle: Matilda eats many small meals a day, eats essentially the same higher protein diet for every meal, exercises, well, all the time, drinks plenty of water, avoids caffeine, soda, and alcohol and takes two or three naps every day.  Although we would be, as a society, massively non-productive, if we all lived this lifestyle I suspect we would all be incredibly healthy!

She Loves Her Work: Matilda is one of the fortunate few who loves her job.  She comes to work at Canyon every day with, literally, unbridled enthusiasm.  She greets every member at the door like they were long lost friends, helps clients get through workouts, has giant ears for listening to member concerns and entertains guest dogs when they come to visit.

So if you are looking for a fun, new, fitness "trend," look no farther than Matilda at Canyon Personal Training and Fitness.  Or you can always visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/matilda.dueber.  And if you have a personal training story like Matilda's please share it with me here or at canyonptandf.com.  Okay gotta go!  According to the cold nose on my leg it is time for my run!