Back Exercise

Most people work their “mirror muscles” with bicep curls and pushups.  It is crucial to also work your back to get it strong.  Your back is used so much in every day life.  When it is weak, it creates an imbalance in your body.  Just think about your posture for a minute. If your chest muscles and shoulders are tight from sitting at a desk all day or doing pushups, you are going to be rounded forward.  When your back is strong, that helps to keep you walking upright!

Try this back exercise on any bars that you have in your nearby park.  You can even do them using the swings!  WATCH the exercise so that you can see how to add your dog!

1/ Find a stable set of bars

2/ Grab the bars wider than shoulder width.  Your arms should be at approximately 90 degrees.

3/  Hang from the bars and EXHALE &  PULL yourself up so that the bar is right over your chest.  Do not pull up to your neck, focus on coming up to your chest.  Squeeze your back muscles, especially all around your shoulder blades.

4/ You also want to tighten your butt and push your weight into your heels.  Bonus butt exercise.

5/ Return to starting position and then repeat as many times as you can with good form.  Watch the demonstration video for how to do it AND what you can add for your dog!

6/ Remember to always add mental stimulation for your dog by giving him/ her a command to do while you perform your exercise.  A down is good for this one.  Rosie had distractions from other dogs walking by and she did great!

Have fun and let us know how you did!