MIM: Woodchoppers

We love multi-tasking here at Leash Your Fitness!  We can work out AND play games with our pups at the same time!  This week’s Move It Monday is an exercise called the woodchopper.  This move targets your hamstrings, glutes, core, and back.  If your pup knows “shake”, “high five”, or “touch” this is where the game comes in.  See the steps below and you’ll be rocking a strong body and a happy dog before you know it!

• Start with your hands together and feet wide and your dog sitting by your right foot
• Bring your arms up over your left shoulder, slightly rotating your torso
• Keeping your abs engaged, and your back completely flat, bring your hands down to your right foot (as if you are chopping wood!)
• Ask your dog to shake, high five, touch, or similar command when you reach your feet
• It’s important to keep your abs tight and back straight to protect your lower back
• Tighten your core and lift your arms back over your left shoulder, using your abs, legs, and butt to lift yourself
• Repeat on this side 10 times, then switch sides!
• These are deceptively difficult!  You may not feel much while you’re doing the move, but you will feel them later!  See how you feel with these before adding more reps or sets

Carol and Echo (front) demonstrating the first part of the exercise, while Lisa and Tessa (back) show the second part!