Fiona Adams checks out Dogfit, the local fitness programme making use of our four-legged friends to get us on the move. Fetch!
We’ve all seen those keen young parents haring around the park in running kit, pushing their (often startled-looking) infant on a whistle-stop tour in their buggy, but if you’ve already waved goodbye to your offspring, perhaps you’d like to get fit using their replacement – i.e. an enthusiastic (hopefully) dog.
Ginetta George from Cobham and business partner Gail Walker have set up Dogfit, a company that offers canicross classes. These use specially designed equipment (attached to your pooch) that not only allows you to run hands free, but it enables your dog to run comfortably with you, too.
Ginetta claims that you don’t need to be an experienced runner as the classes are suitable for people and dogs of all ages and abilities, and that not only will you get fit but your pets will also be stimulated. Children from the age of 11 can join in and there are classes for complete beginners (from couch to canicross) as well as intermediate runners; a Dogfit instructor is always on hand for advice.
If you’re serious about exercising with your dog you will need a Canicross starter kit (£99), which includes a harness for your mutt, a waist belt for you and a bungee running line to keep the two of you together.
Classes can be found in Guildford, Cranleigh, South West London, Crawley, Esher and Cobham
See the Dogfit website for further details
