While Singapore has several centres dedicated to rehabilitating dogs after injuries or for age-related conditions, this fitness studio on Telok Kurau Road takes a different approach. It doesn't offer hydrotherapy or physiotherapy. Instead, it focuses on preventative fitness to help them stay active before mobility issues arise.Opened in 2019, Barker & Pooch is among the first centres in Singapore to focus on canine fitness through exercise science, creating personalised fitness programmes tailored to each dog's age, breed, mobility and overall physical condition.A WORKOUT DESIGNED FOR DOGS
Barker & Pooch is located at 224 Telok Kurau Road. (Photo: CNA/Joyee Koo)
The studio houses different types of treadmills in an air-conditioned gym, alongside an indoor cooling pool, a shower area and a dedicated recovery space.Every dog first undergoes an assessment before starting a personalised training programme."The first thing we assess is their physical condition," said Leo Lee, head coach at Barker & Pooch. "If a dog comes in needing surgery, injury treatment or physiotherapy, we unfortunately cannot take them and will refer them to our recommended specialists."
The gym features one electric treadmill alongside two self-powered treadmills that rely largely on the dogs themselves, providing additional resistance during their workout.While treadmill training helps build muscle, walking on an incline specifically targets the hind legs – an area Lee says is often underworked during regular walks."When a dog is standing or walking on flat ground, about 60 to 70 per cent of their weight is naturally carried by the front limbs, so the hind legs are often neglected," he explained. "By walking on an incline, you shift more weight to the hind legs, giving them a more balanced workout."
