During NHL pause, dogs are the new dumbbells
Rantanen, Rust, Vlasic have incorporated their four-legged friends while staying active
by Dan O'Leary @DanOLeary25 / NHL.com Staff Writer
If you are going to work out while the NHL season is paused, you may as well work out with your best friend.
More than a few players are choosing to make their pooch part of their exercise routine.
Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen is trying to keep those legs in shape with some furry one-legged squats.
The Pittsburgh Penguins put out a video from strength and conditioning coach Alexi Pianosi to help those who want to still get a workout in while social distancing.
It seems that Bryan Rust and his dog, Oliver, had the same idea.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic took it outdoors into the elements. He got in a bit of an arm workout while being followed by his three dogs Nicky, Kelly and Macy.
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom wasn't working out with a dog, but was robbing his son Vince of a sure goal with a wicked glove save while playing street hockey.
And for those without four-legged friends turned weights, the Capitals shared a video by Haley Skarupa, a forward on the gold-medal winning 2018 United States Women's Hockey Team, sharing some ways to keep active.
So if you are looking to keep that heart pumping there are plenty of ways to do so, with or without your dog.