Health Study: People Get More Exercise Than Gym People?

Amanda885

New Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Messages
684
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
An interesting study i read on a blog..thought it was interesting and that i would share :)
===============================================

A new British survey says there’s no doubt about it: People who have dogs and walk them regularly get more exercise than the average gym member.

According to the survey of 5,000 Britons, dog people walk their best friends twice a day for 24 minutes a pop, on average. And three times a week, the dogs’ walkies are quite a bit longer. That adds up to a whopping eight hours of exercise per week!

Those without dogs averaged 80 minutes a week at the gym, jogging, or walking. And nearly half of non-dog people get no exercise at all, the survey found.

“A couple of short walks a day soon adds up,†a survey official told the Daily Mail. “Owning a dog makes us more healthy.â€

The best news is that people with dogs really enjoy taking their dogs out for exercise. Some 86 percent of survey takers like going out for dog walks. Compare that to a paltry 16 percent who say they enjoy going to the gym, which I must admit can get downright boring at times.

It’s obviously best if you don’t slog through your walkies unless you’re not able to comfortably go faster. Doctors advise picking up the pace for better cardiovascular health.

And FYI, standing around chatting at the dog park doesn’t count as exercise for anything except your mouth. We call this “taking your dog for a talk.†Of course, if you walk to get there, you are redeemed.

Do you feel you get more exercise with your dog than you would/than you do at the gym? If you’re a gym member, do you find far more excuses not to go to the gym than not to walk your dog? (Not walking your dog can lead to poo on your living-room floor. Not going to the gym doesn’t tend to have the same result. That alone is a big point in favor of choosing walkies over gymies.)


Do Dog People Get More Exercise Than Gym People?
 

Dreeza

Active Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2005
Messages
6,359
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Arlington, VA
#2
more time "exercising" doesn't really mean anything..its all about the level of exertion.

That aside, I guess whatever gets people moving is good.

Personally...i do both :)
 

CaliTerp07

Active Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2008
Messages
7,652
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Alexandria, VA
#3
more time "exercising" doesn't really mean anything..its all about the level of exertion.

That aside, I guess whatever gets people moving is good.

Personally...i do both :)
From a cardio standpoint, yes--getting your heart rate up is a good thing. From a calorie burning standpoint though, walking a mile or running a mile burns the same amount of calories. And from a "not sitting on the couch/computer being a slug" standpoint, walking is more than good enough!

I'm grateful I have Lucy as motivation to walk each day!
 

Amanda885

New Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2009
Messages
684
Likes
0
Points
0
#4
walking a mile actually burns more calories than running a mile .... all about how long you exercise :)

but yes..dogs are excellent motivators for walking every day! amazing animals/companions they are! :D
 

Dreeza

Active Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2005
Messages
6,359
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
38
Location
Arlington, VA
#5

Giny

Active Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
5,544
Likes
4
Points
38
Location
Maine
#6
walking a mile actually burns more calories than running a mile .... all about how long you exercise :)

but yes..dogs are excellent motivators for walking every day! amazing animals/companions they are! :D
I believe it has to do with the amount of air your take into your lungs and increase heart rate. The more you take in, the more calories you'll burn or something like that. You take more in during a run then you would a walk, therefore you'd burn more while you are running.

But no matter, any exercise is good. Especially if the puppies are getting it too.
 

Members online

Top