How Seniors Can Build a Fitness and Activity Routine With Their Dog

At Senior Helpers of South Minneapolis and Surrounding Areas, many of our senior clients report owning pets and have dogs as companions. Dog ownership has a multitude of benefits including improved emotional and physical well-being. We recommend incorporating a pet into one's exercise or workout routine as a fun way for our seniors to get active. Our multi-tiered guide will help your elderly loved one find ways to stay active with their pet and is tailored to the Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Minnetonka, and Hennepin County weather. It is possible to include beloved pets in one's daily routine and enjoy physical activity outside, inside parts of the home, or at indoor pet parks. 

Tier One: Light Activity Level 

Senior Helpers® of South of Minneapolis aids often work with our clients who are recovering from surgery, living with changes in their health, or in the process of adopting healthier lifestyles under our care. One way to ease back into good health if one hasn't been active is to take it easy during the initial sessions and start with a relatively low resistance session. 

Here are some activities that would be a great match for light workouts with Fido for this group:

• Regain one's own mobility and feel comfortable on your feet by taking care of your pet.
• Start small by tending to your pet's everyday needs, such as giving them food and water.
• Take the dog outside and consider going out with them for fresh air. 
• Shadow the dog and experiment with walking around in safe spaces inside and outside. Look for large areas with little to no obstacles that may be trip hazards. 
• Exercise caution but enjoy time with your pet by spending time with them and following them around. 

Tier Two: Moderate Activity Level

It's possible to intensify your workout with your pet in small stages as you or your loved one complete strength training and experience increased levels of confidence. As long as the activity doesn't cause injury, there are more games that you can play with your dog that requires more strenuous physical exertion. Additionally, for long-time pet owners who already are comfortable with Tier One routines, there are always more ways to exercise while bonding with your pet. 

Here are more ways to play with your pet (while getting a workout):

• Move beyond the spaces your pet uses in their daily patterns, such as how they wander around the house or yard.
• Use their leash and take your dog for a walk around the block.
• For those who are less mobile, a walk might be difficult if the dog is too excitable. 
• However, for those seeking more physical activity, walks in the neighborhood are a great way to get outside.
• Additionally, walking the dog provides your loved one with chances to meet or talk to their neighbors. 
• You can customize the length of the walk and control the time, so start small and build momentum. 

Tier Three: High Interest and Activity Level

There are many who never lose their zeal for fitness and dedicated animal lovers out there that do even more to exercise with their pets. As long as both the dog owner and canine are comfortable, the sky's the limit for exercising with your pet. 

Here are some structured activities to try with a pet for someone in good physical health:

• Take your dog to a dog park and monitor them as they interact with other dogs.
• At indoor and outdoor dog parks, dog owners often get their own workout following around their dogs.
• If the dog isn't social, then it's still possible to take them to parks and explore quieter parks. 
• Buy toys like frisbees and other throw toys for the dog to chase and use at the park. 
• Increase your level of physical activity while playing with the pet.
• Let your dog run alongside you while you run or jog outside. 

Get Active With Your Pet ASAP 

Are you looking for a way to get more exercise? Try including your dog in your routine. Need more tips? Contact us online today.