There is a place in downtown Dubuque where can people can try and escape the dog days of winter with their canine companions. Fido Fitness is the first indoor gym facility for both pets and people in the state of Iowa.

Mary and Mark Erschen have been offering Fido Fitness since 2008 but they were able to bring the dogs indoor since last October.

“It’s been a passion all my life to have an indoor facility to workout with my own dogs as well as other people,” said Mary Erschen. “So it just has been a dream for a long time and its finally coming to be a reality.”

Fido Fitness offers fundraiser for the Dubuque Humane Society each Saturday from 9-11 a.m. as they host “Agility Fun Day.” This where owners can bring in their dogs and have them train on equipment that Fido Fitness has to offer.  Another class is called “Sweat with a Pet” which is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays nights at 6:30 p.m. The class teaches aerobics, flexibility, and strength training using modify exercises to include both dogs and their owners working out together.

“You will have to see this to believe this,” said Erschen. “It is just incredible what you and your pet are actually capable to incorporate into an indoor workout.”

Fido Fitness also offers private appointments and they are also looking to offer self-defense workshops. The first workshop is about the self-defense workshop works with people and deals with basic self-defense. The second workshop teaches a person how to deal with confrontations either an aggressive dog or a person. The third workshop deals how you can disarm a person and how to teach your dog to assist you to disarm a person without aggression.

“Puppy Mix” is a bi-weekly class offered on Sunday nights at five. The class teaches owners how to properly take care of their dogs in the way to give them better nutrient as well as how to give them proper exercise and “Safety Children and Pets” which another program for children in the first and second grade.

Another workshop that will be offered in May by Sue Barnes, who owns a three time national champion dock diving dog, called “Look Before You Leap.” The class will teach dogs how to dive into the water from the dock.

Fido Fitness is teaming up with PETCO to monthly performances or educational series. “They are very excited about having an indoor gym in the same city as they have a pet store,” said Erschen.

Erschen reports that sponsors have help benefited Fido Fitness. Earthborn Holistic has partner with the gym to promote better environmental practices and help the wellness of animals.

For more information about Fido Fitness go to Dubuque365.com and the Telegraph Herald.