Do you think walking the dog is enough of a work out? One suburban fitness club is designed to get both the owner and man's best friend off the sidewalks and into the gym.
K-9 Fit Club is an all-inclusive gym for anyone of any age and fitness level. That goes for dogs, too.
The owner opened the gym several years ago after losing more than 130 pounds exercising with her dogs. Now, Tricia Montgomery is teaching others to get themselves and their four-legged friend off of the couch and into the gym.
"Dogs make a great workout partner," Montgomery says. "They don't cancel on you, they don't tell you that I can't make it to the gym today. So our dogs become the best work out partner that we'll ever have."
Katie DeRuntz and her dog Dudley are regulars here at K-9 Fit Club. DeRuntz says she set a goal for herself to lose 25 pounds by her birthday in August.
Her hard work is paying off. She's lost 26 pounds so far and she's grateful her pal Dudley is a part of that.
"I can't look at him and not be happy. And it's hard enough working a 9 to 5 job and not being around him," DeRuntz says. "This gave me the opportunity to do my work out and his workout and bond. And just be happier and know that I'm giving him the attention he deserves."
Employees are professionally trained to work not only with humans, but the dogs they serve as well.
"It's not just a bunch of people jumping around and working out with their dogs. We actually have programs from novice to beginner, intermediate and advanced programs," Montgomery explains. "This is an opportunity to really change lives...one dog at a time."
Montgomery is opening locations in Westmont and Chicago with the hopes of also spinning off other franchises all across the country. She's happy that people are not only thinking of their own health, but their pets as well.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:50:35 GMT
What a thrill to be invited as one of only two American journalists and nine other international journalists on a medical journalism study tour of some of Poland's finest international medical tourism destinations.
What a thrill to be invited as one of only two American journalists and nine other international journalists on a medical journalism study tour of some of Poland's finest international medical tourism destinations.
The Art Museo at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare will showcase the talent of autistic artists in a special exhibit, "Brilliance of Autism." Curator Dr. Jacqueline Marquette, her son, artist Trent Altman explain.
The Art Museo at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare will showcase the talent of autistic artists in a special exhibit, "Brilliance of Autism." Curator Dr. Jacqueline Marquette, her son, artist Trent Altman explain.
Deanna Stellato, Director of Aesthetics at the Geldner Center shared easy, do-it-yourself skin care tips for home remedies that require ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen!
Deanna Stellato, Director of Aesthetics at the Geldner Center shared easy, do-it-yourself skin care tips for home remedies that require ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen!
Komedyplast founder and Highland Park plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig travels to Peru with his charity to help kids with congenital craniofacial anomalies who wouldn't otherwise be able to get surgery.
Komedyplast founder and Highland Park plastic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Weinzweig travels to Peru with his charity to help kids with congenital craniofacial anomalies who wouldn't otherwise be able to get surgery.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:51 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:51:51 GMT
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation on Friday.
Fitness guru and NBA wife Larsa Pippen showed how you can get long and lean for bathing suit season with help from her favorite Midtown Athletic Club trainer Diane Gillis and a pair of hand weights.
Fitness guru and NBA wife Larsa Pippen showed how you can get long and lean for bathing suit season with help from her favorite Midtown Athletic Club trainer Diane Gillis and a pair of hand weights.
Summer is almost here, and that means spending time outside, in the sun! Baby Gizmo's Hollie Shultz shared some sun safety tips to protect your little one's skin this summer.
Summer is almost here, and that means spending time outside, in the sun! Baby Gizmo's Hollie Shultz shared some sun safety tips to protect your little one's skin this summer.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:33:23 GMT
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
A Merrillville police officer shot a man Monday afternoon when the two got into a fight in the parking lot of the Merrillville Planned Parenthood office.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:52 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:52:14 GMT
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.
Gov. Pat Quinn said Illinois lawmakers have a chance to make history on two fronts this month by approving a plan to fix the state's decades-old pension crisis and legalizing same-sex marriage.