Dog owners get more exercise than gym members: Study

November 28, 2009 02:08 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 09:34 am IST - Washington

Dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than people who go to gyms. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K

Dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than people who go to gyms. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K

For those who want to stay fit but low on motivation, a personal trainer is often the best option. However, the human version may not be the most effective. A new study has shown that having a dog can successfully fill that requirement.

A survey of 5,000 Britons, conducted by pet healthcare company Bob Martin, showed that dog owners get more exercise walking their pet than people who go to gyms.

Two dog walks a day each lasting 24 minutes and three longer walks a week each lasting 30 minutes give pet owners seven hours’ exercise a week, reports the Daily Express.

Those without a dog spend an average of just one hour and 20 minutes a week exercising by going to the gym or walking or jogging. And 47 per cent of non-pet owners admit they do no exercise.

The survey revealed that 86 per cent of dog owners enjoy walking. On the other hand, only 16 per cent of gym users actively enjoy it, with almost 70 per cent seeing gym exercise as a chore.

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