Leash Your Fitness

Many people say that adopting a dog helped them get in shape, since their pooch’s need for exercise forced them to get out for regular walks. But for those of us who are already into vigorous daily workouts, walking the dog can be underwhelming, with too little stretching, strength training, or cardio.

Leash Your Fitness solves that problem, and then some. Owner Dawn Celapino, a longtime (human) personal trainer, says she came up with the idea when she got her Cairn terrier Jack a few years ago, and hated leaving him behind during her hours at the gym.

The unique fitness program she designed for all levels—from the sofa surfers to the sweat fiends among us—combines plenty of stretching, strength work, and cardio along with fun and social time for people and their four-pawed friends.

Classes such as “Walk the Circuit,” “Boot Camp,” “Doga Yoga,” and “Trail,” taught by patient instructors, meet at various locations several times per week. Other fun events include group kayaking.

Keeping in mind the region’s less fortunate dogs, Leash Your Fitness supports Baja Animal Sanctuary by donating to them 100% of the fee from each participant’s first class, and a portion of the Doga Yoga class proceeds. Celapino collects new and gently used pet supplies for the Baja shelter, and features adoptable animals on a blog “written” by her impressively athletic—and articulate—dog Jack.