The Benefits of Dog Walking
Dog walking has its benefits.
The most obvious is a gentler cardio vascular workout. It's probably just as well for the older person. Whenever I use the Stairmaster or an exercise bike, I have to remind myself that it's been over 25 years since I used one intensively and the maximum heart rate I can safely sustain at is that many beats per minute less.
One caveat is to dictate the pace and not let the dog. That means a brisk walk which for me is less than taking 10 minutes to walk a km. I find that if I let a dog dictate the pace, it can drop well under that.
If you have a big, strong dog that pulls, you can also use the dog as a way to get in isotonic workouts for your arm, chest and torso.
No dog and don't want one? Maybe not a problem. Look in your community or ask your neighbours. They may have a dog that they're no longer able to walk as much as the dog (and perhaps they) would like.
The most obvious is a gentler cardio vascular workout. It's probably just as well for the older person. Whenever I use the Stairmaster or an exercise bike, I have to remind myself that it's been over 25 years since I used one intensively and the maximum heart rate I can safely sustain at is that many beats per minute less.
One caveat is to dictate the pace and not let the dog. That means a brisk walk which for me is less than taking 10 minutes to walk a km. I find that if I let a dog dictate the pace, it can drop well under that.
If you have a big, strong dog that pulls, you can also use the dog as a way to get in isotonic workouts for your arm, chest and torso.
No dog and don't want one? Maybe not a problem. Look in your community or ask your neighbours. They may have a dog that they're no longer able to walk as much as the dog (and perhaps they) would like.
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