Our ARISTOPETS are, in addition to being our best friends, part of our family, and we are not willing to give them up. Especially when it comes to leisure activities. That's why we want to take them with us when we travel, wherever we go; that's why we want to eat at pet-friendly restaurants; that's why we want them to come shopping with us... And for some time now, we also want to do sports with them. In fact, this is one of the most in-demand activities currently. Because it's beneficial for us, but also for them. A great opportunity to enjoy and take care of each other.
"Petsercise" (exercise + pets) is starting to boom in the UK. In fact, 65% of Britons say their pet is their ideal companion when it comes to exercising. Gone are gym buddies, running groups... When you have your furry friend to accompany you while you work up a sweat and they pant, who needs anyone else!
The reasons for preferring four-legged friends over muscular, tireless, calorie-counting ones are common among most respondents. And it has to do with the fact that exercising with your ARISTOPET is much more motivating. When we talk about sports, we all know how important motivation is... and how difficult it is to maintain it—or find it. That's why 51% of respondents prefer the company of their best friend. For 46%, the preference for their ARISTOPET is because they are the only ones who offer moral support, can be trusted, and there's no possibility of last-minute plan changes... Additionally, when exercising with your furry best friend, you feel much less pressure (or healthier pressure), you don't compete with anyone... and no one intimidates you.
In fact, the reasons why people surveyed in the UK don't exercise as much as they would like are also very interesting. 34% feel intimidated by people who exercise. And that's a significant deterrent when it comes to practicing it. Meanwhile, 25% admit they prefer to exercise at home, because it avoids the judgments that occur (or are presumed to occur) in gyms, sports clubs, etc.
Given all these barriers, petsercise is presented as the best alternative for those who want to exercise at home and in the best company, away from stares, comments, and pressures of all kinds.
The trend is unstoppable. And a good example of this is the views accumulated by this video, in which Louis Smith, a British gymnast specializing in the pommel horse and Olympic medalist, proposes a series of very fun and complete exercises to do at home, accompanied by your dog... or your dogs.
If you like to exercise but prefer to do it with other people, or if you simply need to leave the house for a change of scenery, we recommend that you give doga a try, that is, yoga with dogs. A form of yoga that is becoming increasingly widespread and allows you to strengthen bonds and find balance both internally and externally. And for cats? Well, there's also cat yoga. As the saying goes, everything has already been invented!
In any case, we emphasize the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape to keep obesity problems (a worldwide epidemic among humans and pets) and related issues at bay. And also to ensure inner balance.