This is obviously not me. But it does work this way!

My dog is about the best running partner a gal could have. Sure, she may chase after squirrels, occasionally trip me to get a better look at another dog passing by us and generally want to stop and pee at the most inopportune times, but I love her. Siena always wants to run, and is so darn enthusiastic to get out  there that it kind of rubs off. (That’s totally worth a leash burn here and there, in my opinion.) But when SPIbelt sent us its new SPIleash to try, I was excited to take my runs with Siena to the next hands-free level.

SPIbelt has long been supplying runners and active peeps with—for lack of a better term—modern fanny packs that are more fit than grandma. I know tons of runners who wear them on long runs and during races to store their cell phones, IDs, energy gels, water and just about any must-have they jog with. The SPIleash is built on this same idea. You clip what’s essentially a SPIbelt around your waist, but it has an extension to clip your dog on to, thereby letting you run with your dog totally hands free.

I was skeptical of this at first. Not because of the product…but because of my dog. I usually run with my dog wearing a Gentle Leader because of all of the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph. So I was nervous to hit the running trail with Siena actually attached to my midsection. But, alas, she was pretty good both when running and walking. Yes, she still lunged after squirrels, and I got to wince in discomfort a few times, but on the whole, it wasn’t bad. And I’m not sure if it was because of the set-up of the hands-free leash or what, but it’s almost like we became a running team, and she better followed me as a pack leader. (Not to get all Dog Whisperer on ya.)

But wait, there’s more! The SPIleash pouch is the perfect size to hold not only running goodies but doggie goodies as well: dog bribery (treats), toys, waste bags. As someone who is used to running with a leash, my iPod and a heart-rate monitor, I have to say it’s nice to lose the leash. It’s one less thing to carry and one less cord to get twisted. And it just feels kind of bad-ass to be running with your dog without physically holding her. (Look Ma! No hands!)

Obviously I can’t confirm that your dog will do the same (every dog is different!), but if you have a mildly sane and behaved dog whom you run with, I’d recommend this. If your dog is your best workout friend like mine is, the $29.95 is totally worth it. —Jenn

Credit: lululemon athletica

Today’s post is written by core performance guru, Linda LaRue. Linda is the creator of Crunchless Abs and the new, constant resistance, 3-dimensional workout, The CORE TRANSFORMER, which burns nearly 1,000 calories per hour.

Are you a dog lover? Me, too. And while walking the pup around the block is fun, I thought I’d give animal lovers in Los Angeles a new way to get a great workout with your four-legged loved one: the Bowwow Workout!  This outdoor, semi-private exercise class allows both you and your dog to get a workout outdoors with others pups and their owners.

The class was created by my friend, certified personal trainer, Bruce Gilbert, who is the owner of Balanced Fitness. Bruce came up with the idea for The Bowwow Workout several years ago when on a surfing trip to Costa Rica. While there, he noticed that dogs and their masters were allowed to go everywhere together. The camaraderie and love between dog and master was a concept he wanted to duplicate.

“I really love dogs, ” Gilbert says. “It struck me that there are a lot of overweight and out of shape people and their dogs that need to move, lose weight and get in shape.”

Since he was already bringing his border collie, Louie, to Runyon Canyon, a no-leash dog park, several times a week to hike, he thought, “Why don’t I have people come to the park with their dogs and put together a program that’s more structured than only hiking?”

And that he did. The workout uses natural and man-made items scattered throughout the park, along with a versatile, exercise tube for resistance. The class includes a circuit of cardio-hiking and resistance-training stations for a 60-minute total-body workout. One station is an old tennis court, where Bruce has both dogs and owners doing running drills across the court. Bruce even hands out gourmet dog treats for good behavior (only for the dogs here, obviously).

The Bowwow Workout is a great out-of-the-box exercise alternative for you and your cherished four-legged loved one—especially if you hate being stuck inside on a treadmill going nowhere fast. Plus, because dogs are pack animals, it’s the perfect mind-body exercise solution for you and your furry friend. What could be more healthy and fun than being outside in the sun, moving with your dog? Bow-wow! —Linda LaRue

First there were the cute baby sloths that taught us deep life lessons. And today? We’ve gone to the dogs. Check out the video below for a reminder to—no matter how bad the traffic is or how deep the snow is or how trying your family is this holiday season—enjoy life and PLAY! My next house really needs to have a pool…For my dog and me! —Jenn

Can’t see the hilarious video? Click here to see the dogs having fun in the pool!

The FBGs love our dogs. LOVE our dogs. (That’s mine at left wondering what I’m doing at my desk and can she please be included?) So when Jenn and I have the opportunity to work out with our dogs, we go for it! Walks are more fun with company, after all, and a good game of fetch is a good stress reliever for the throwing party as well as the fetcher.

Self magazine must have read our minds—or known that there are just as many pet-crazy people out there like us. The magazine has put together a pooch-perfect workout: Sweat with your Pet. How presh is that?

And working out with your dog isn’t just cute: It can make you work harder for longer! Dogs don’t take no for an answer, and research shows that people who stroll with a canine companion increase their pace 28 percent.

The routine includes a cardio workout with six sculpting moves—along with plenty of poochy-keen tips and plenty of doggie accessories. Flying solo without a Fido? The mag shows you how to do it all by your lonesome as well!

Dog-gone adorable!

—Erin

Credit: Beth Rankin

We all love our pets. Those four-legged furry ‘nimals have a serious place in our hearts. But are we too good to them? According to the latest stats from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study, we definitely spoil them too much in the food department.

The study found that 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats are now overweight or obese. In fact, pet obesity is now the biggest health threat to pets in the U.S. And because pets are getting larger over time, many owners aren’t even realizing that their pets are overweight and facing health risks. Sad face. Remember to feed and exercise your pet as well as you do yourself!

Brings a whole new meaning to a “fat cat”…

—Jenn

The FBGs have been known to take a cue from our pets from time to time. I know my furry friend inspires me to get outside a few times a day for a brisk walk and her energy always reminds me how great it is to be active and having fun.

We recently received some tips from the canine experts at Weider Pet Health. Read on to learn how to best work out with your four-legged best friend!

• A humane/canine fitness partnership should be viewed as a preventive measure, begun as early as possible in your dog’s life.
• The “use it or lose it” theory applies, as physical exercise preserves muscle mass. But it’s never too late! Even if exercise isn’t a regular part of you and your pet’s routine, it should be added immediately. Even a brisk 20-minute walk daily helps.
• The ideal fitness program consists of a brisk walk/run on variable terrain, with some incline and decline (hill climbing and descent is good resistance training for muscles.)
• Play games such as tug of war (being careful of the dog’s teeth and gums, and never pulling too hard to avoid putting strain on the neck, especially in smaller breeds) or catch and fetch on a slight incline are also good ways to vary the routine. However if your animal is older or has hip weakness, be sure the incline is not very steep.
• Remember that just as with your pet’s diet, you are in charge. For both of you to be active, you must be the proactive one. You set the pace to challenge your animal to a certain extent, but you must also know its limits and play within that. Note that some breeds will keep on playing to please, even if they are exhausted.
• Always finish the workout with a special but healthy food treat.
• Complete nutrition is important from an early age as a preventive measure in your dog’s overall health. Processed dog foods may or may not contain key nutrients for joint health, such as chondroitin and glucosamine. Even when these are listed as ingredients, their potency is lost in processing, meaning they are not bioavailable to the pet. So read your dog’s food labels closely and consider supplementation.

Always remember that exercise is an innate need for dogs—and owners! What’s your pet’s favorite workout? —Jenn

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, Jenn and I love dogs. Especially our dogs (that’s mine pictured at left). And what’s not to love? Clothing covered in dog fur and toilet paper strewn about are a small price to pay for the many life lessons a dog will teach you. My pug, Marti, who wouldn’t survive but five minutes in the wild, has taught me how to care for another (extremely) dependent being. She’s taught me patience and how to wait things out (because I never thought she’d stop biting me or destroying my shoes, but she did). She’s taught me to enjoy the little things in life because apparently playing with toilet paper is SO MUCH FUN. She’s taught me the true meaning of dedication and loyalty because she won’t leave my side and shares a chair with me while I work at home. She’s also taught me that I’m a huge sucker for soft brown eyes and that I need to grow a backbone before I have kids or I’ll be a total pushover. And last but not least, she’s taught me many health lessons. Here are a few.

You Can’t Do “Nothing” and Expect Results
In Northern California, we don’t really get a cold winter. But we do get a winter that comes with rain. Rain every day. For weeks at a time. During these weeks, Marti and I avoided the wet treks to the dog park and went on bare minimum walks instead. This prevented Marti from eating copious amounts of mud at the park while also getting in the necessary potty walks. The result? A two-pound uptick when she got weighed at the vet recently. The lesson? You can’t decrease the exercise to almost nothing and maintain the food and treat intake without expecting some pounds to creep on.

If It Hurts, Don’t Do It
Now that the rain has gone, we’ve been hitting the park to work those pounds off. At the park, Marti has the honorable distinction of being the Most Submissive Dog Ever. She loves going to the park, but when a dog comes over to say hello, she immediately tucks her butt under, rolls on her side and plays dead. Usually the other dogs shrug their shoulders and trot off…and then Marti warms up and trots off after them. But sometimes dogs don’t know what to do when she doesn’t play. The other day, a mean bully of a dog started nipping and biting at her. He was just trying to get her to play, but it was way too aggressive and way too “going for the jugular” for both of us. The lesson? If it hurts, change the activity or give yourself the day off. We left the park and went on a walk instead.

Sleep, Lots of It
We all know how important it is to get your eight hours of sleep. Pug research shows that 16 to 18 hours of sleep is ideal. That might be pushing it for the average human who actually has work to accomplish in the day, but don’t underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep and a good nap. The lesson? Play hard and sleep harder.

Go Minimal
Do pugs need complicated equipment or fancy pants to get a good workout? Heck no. They just need wide open spaces to run and maybe a ball to chase (but not necessarily fetch). It’s even more fun to chase your human or a friend or two. Lesson? Working out is better with a partner, but fancy pants are optional.

—Erin

Self Challenge Update
Because Jenn had to go and be all inspiring, I’ve actually gone running three times in the past week. I’ve also gotten killer variety in my workouts. I’ve combined the running with Core Rhythms (review coming this week), workouts on the Wave, some tough ab work and some of my old standby Biggest Loser strength training. After my big break recently, the running is tough, but I’m slowly building back up.

For more of my workout trials and tribulations with the pug, check out how we exercise together and my Almost Fit guest post on doing yoga with her around.

Fido hits the gym, you keep your booty, and Nintendo gets physical.

The Buff Pet
We FBGs love our dogs. Like maybe an abnormal amount. And it’s always exciting when two loves marry. Fetch! Pet Care, a professional pet care service, has mated with fitness to spawn “Go Fetch!”—a fitness program for pets.

With high numbers of obesity for dogs and cats (one of four!?), our furry loved ones run the same risks as weight-challenged humans, like diabetes, heart disease and joint and hip problems. Go Fetch! aims to combat the pet pudge by showing up at their critter clients’ homes armed with balls, Frisbees, play toys and string to give furry friends a fun-filled workout. Don’t contribute to your companion’s expanding waistline—and don’t forget to take your best friend for an extra-long romp in the park today!

Go fetch!

Love that Rump
With most women obsessed with trying to firm, tighten and tone their rears, sometimes we need to be reminded to embrace our luscious lady lumps. A new study found that fat stored around the hips and gluteus maximus may offer protection against diabetes. The researcher says the results not only say that “not all fat is bad” (hooray!) but also it points to potential future drugs that may copy the benefits of subcutaneous fat. Now that’s research we can get behind!

Check it out.

Whittle the Waist
With the U.S. launch yesterday of the Wii Fit, Nintendo fanatics wanting to incorporate a Wii bit of gaming technology into their workouts can have at it. With more than 40 yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance activities, Wii Fit provides consumers with an interactive method of incorporating exercise into their daily routines. The fitness game sells for $89.99, which includes the game and the Wii Balance Board accessory.

The FBGs haven’t run out to buy a Wii Fit yet, but we’d love to know what you think! Send us a line at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com.

Wii Wii Wii all the way home.

—Erin

Photos grabbed from http://www.fetchpetcare.com/; e3nin.nintendo.com/wii_fit.html.