Can quick playtimes with my dog be good exercise for me?

Researchers at the University of Glasgow tested 10 sedentary, overweight men with fitness measures. Then the men participated in two weeks of sprint interval training. They did six sessions of 4-6 repetitions of 30-second sprints, with about a 5-minute recovery between sprints. Doesn’t sound like much exercise does it? Well, not only were measures of heart disease risk lower after two weeks, waist and hip circumferences also dropped significantly!

So, if you thought doing some quick runs in the yard with Lucky, throwing a ball vigorously for your enthusiastic Goldie for a few minutes, or taking some quick sprints down the street with Tip was fun for your dog, but not really good for you -- think again!

If you have health problems, be sure to check with your doctor before starting any vigorous exercise. Then spend a few times each day racing around with Fido. He’ll love it -- and it’ll be good for your health!

Quick playtimes with your dog are great forms of exercise but it will depend on the intensity of these bouts of exercise.  For example, if you are playing fetch and your dog is doing all of the work then this may not classify as intense exercise.  However, if you are running around in the yard with your dog and being just as active as they are then yes, you are receive great amounts of benefit.  Additional exercise never hurts but if you are unable to get in that exercise then be sure that when you are done that both you and your dog are huffing and puffing.