13 ways to exercise with your dog

By Catherine DiBenedetto, Health.com

Updated 0138 GMT (0938 HKT) August 4, 2015

Once you and your dog get in the habit of exercising together, it can become a fun habit -- and they won't let you give it up, either. You can try going for a jog or a run together. Click through our gallery to learn about other fun ways to work out with man's best friend.
Photos:
Once you and your dog get in the habit of exercising together, it can become a fun habit -- and they won't let you give it up, either. You can try going for a jog or a run together. Click through our gallery to learn about other fun ways to work out with man's best friend.
Hide Caption
1 of 8
Dogs of all sizes can ride on the nose of a paddleboard while you get a killer ab workout. Odds are you're both going to fall in at some point, so be sure to get life preservers for two.
Photos:
Stand-up paddleboarding – Dogs of all sizes can ride on the nose of a paddleboard while you get a killer ab workout. Odds are you're both going to fall in at some point, so be sure to get life preservers for two.
Hide Caption
2 of 8
You can also take your dog out for a spin in a sit-on-top kayak. Smaller breeds may perch up front, while larger dogs might feel safer closer to your feet.
Photos:
Kayaking – You can also take your dog out for a spin in a sit-on-top kayak. Smaller breeds may perch up front, while larger dogs might feel safer closer to your feet.
Hide Caption
3 of 8
Is your dog so exuberant on walks you worry she might one day pull your arm off? If so, try letting her keep up with you as you pedal. Or, like this cyclist, your dog can just enjoy the ride.
Photos:
Cycling – Is your dog so exuberant on walks you worry she might one day pull your arm off? If so, try letting her keep up with you as you pedal. Or, like this cyclist, your dog can just enjoy the ride.
Hide Caption
4 of 8
As long as you're comfortable with inline skating, it will be fun to have your dog join in.
Photos:
Rollerblading – As long as you're comfortable with inline skating, it will be fun to have your dog join in.
Hide Caption
5 of 8
You throw the ball and your pup goes bounding after it. But who says you have to just stand there? While he's retrieving, bust out some muscle-building moves like crunches, lunges, squats and more.
Photos:
Active fetch – You throw the ball and your pup goes bounding after it. But who says you have to just stand there? While he's retrieving, bust out some muscle-building moves like crunches, lunges, squats and more.
Hide Caption
6 of 8
Believe it or not, some dogs love soccer—especially herding breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. Some pet brands even sell soccer-style balls.
Photos:
Soccer – Believe it or not, some dogs love soccer—especially herding breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. Some pet brands even sell soccer-style balls.
Hide Caption
7 of 8
Climbing stairs (or bleachers) makes your quads, hamstrings, and glutes work extra hard, so the exercise will benefit both of you.
Photos:
Stair-running – Climbing stairs (or bleachers) makes your quads, hamstrings, and glutes work extra hard, so the exercise will benefit both of you.
Hide Caption
8 of 8
01 exercising with your dog02 01 exercising with your dog03 exercising with your dog04 exercising with your dog05 exercising with your dog RESTRICTED06 exercising with your dog RESTRICTED07 exercising with your dog08 exercising with your dog RESTRICTED

Story highlights

  • Dogs can be the perfect workout buddies for humans
  • Running, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking can all be pup friendly

(CNN)Dogs make the best workout buddies. They never complain about hills, or cancel on you last-minute. And they're always stoked to follow you out the door. That energy can be contagious: research from Michigan State University found that canine owners were 34% more likely to get the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week than folks who didn't have a dog. Even if you're just taking your pup for a walk, that counts. (Move at a brisk clip and you can burn as many as 170 calories in half an hour.) But there are lots of other activities you and Fido can do together -- all while strengthening your bond.

Check out these fun ways to get fit with your furry pal.

    Running

      Because dogs are creatures of habit, they can help you keep up your weekly mileage: Once your pup gets into the routine of a morning run, she won't let you wimp out if it's drizzling, or you're just feeling bleh, explains J.T. Clough, author of 5K Training Guide: Running with Dogs ($8;amazon.com). "She'll wait by your sneakers, tongue out, tail wagging," says Clough, who runs a dog-training business on Maui. "Her excitement can be enough to change your attitude."
      Concerned your little pooch won't keep up? No need to worry, says Clough: "The truth is most small dogs have more energy than the big breeds." Just be careful in the heat and humidity, since dogs don't sweat like we do. And if you have a flat-faced breed (think pugs and Boston terriers), keep your runs under five miles, Clough suggests, since these dogs have a harder time taking in air.
      Read More
      RELATED: Running with your dog: 17 dos and don'ts

      Stand-up paddleboarding

      It's almost as if stand-up paddleboards were designed for canine co-pilots: Dogs of all sizes can ride on the nose (while you get a killer ab workout). Pick an ultra-calm day on a lake or b