Animal-Inspired Workouts That Will Get You Moo-ving

Posted by Starlynn on May 15, 2025

For a long time, humans have known about the strength, endurance, and speed of other animals. But instead of admiring how incredible other animals are, some humans exploit that strength, like making horses pull heavy carts. 😟

As animal advocates, we’ll continue to create a better world for everyone. To be the best advocates, though, we also need to protect our own wellness. Part of that is taking care of our physical health and exercising. So, here’s a week of animal-inspired workouts—ready to get fit?

Day 1:

Humans don’t give animals enough credit for their outstanding talents. You know how we rely on park maps with color-coded routes if we want to go hiking, and now and then on the trail, there are signs we follow to stay on the right path? Well, animals don’t need anything like that. For example, pigeons are navigational pros with a top-tier memory that helps them find their way through the sky. Fun fact: Pigeons can fly over 50 mph and travel 500-700 miles in one day. 🤯

Let’s follow their wing and take 15-20 minutes to explore by walking, jogging, or both.

Lunch idea:

Day 2:

Did you know that some fish use rocks to crack open shells? That takes muscle! Blackspot tusk fish and checkerboard wrasse are two species known to use rocks as tools. That means fish aren’t just strong, but they’re also smart af. We can help fish by refusing to eat or catch them so they can swim free.

Today, instead of using rocks, grab some free weights or resistance bands (or just your body weight). Here are some exercises you can do at home:

• Clam shells (10 reps)
• Crab walk (8 steps back, 8 going forward)
• Side leg raise (10 reps)
• Australian crawl (10 each direction)
• Crab toe touches (8 each leg)
• Swimmer (on your stomach) (30 seconds)
• Bridges (16)
• Jumping jacks (20) then cross jacks (10)
• Flutter kick ab exercise (30 seconds)
• Forward lunge (10 each leg)
• Reverse lunge (10 each leg)

Feeling good? Maybe try a second round of these exercises or mix in some other fun ones.

Lunch/dinner idea (ofc, no fish or other animals are harmed for this meal):

Day 3:

Relax, it’s Rest Day. Rest is super important—just ask koalas, who sleep 18-22 hours daily. 😴

Kick back and take some time for self-care!

Breakfast idea:

Day 4:

Orcas can swim as far as 150 miles daily, and other dolphins can swim as many as 60 miles daily. We can all stand up for orcas, dolphins, and other marine animals by never visiting places that imprison them in tiny tanks like SeaWorld. They want to be free, just like us!

Today, set aside 15-20 minutes to go for a walk, jog, or both. Be present and take in your surroundings at your own pace. Just as orcas in the ocean can feel the push of the current and the pull of the tide, let yourself feel the breeze of the wind and the sun on your face, knowing in this moment how all animals are connected to the same earth.

Lunch idea:

Day 5:

Thriving both on land and water, minks are adaptable and clever. But in the fur industry, minks are kept in cramped wire cages, so they don’t get to be in water like they would in their natural homes. 😢 We can help minks by only choosing faux fur lashes and clothing items.

Today, if you have a pool near you, try aqua jogging. If you’d rather stay on land (valid), try out exercises like these:

• Seated Leg Raise (12 reps)
• Downward dog toe touches (10 reps, right + left =1 rep)
• Plank (30 seconds), then, still in your plank, tap your knees to the floor (10)
• Burpees (10)
• Single leg squat (also called water pumps) (10 reps each leg)
• Mountain climbers, x 4 then up to squat x2 (5 reps)
• Lunge with a twist (10 each leg)
• Curtsey lunge (10 each leg)
• Side lunge (10 each leg)
• Shoulder tap pushups (10 reps)
• Bicycle crunch (10 reps, right + left =1)

Too easy? No one’s stopping you from doing a second set. 😊

Lunch idea:

Day 6:

Cows love to play soccer just like humans. 🥰 In the dairy industry, though, they aren’t allowed to have any fun—only heartbreak after heartbreak each time their babies are stolen. Then, when they’re no longer considered useful, they’re sent to the same slaughterhouse as other animals raised for food. We can help mother cows and their calves by ditching dairy and drinking vegan milk instead.

Today, move your body in a way that’s fun for you! Maybe you don’t have a soccer ball, but there are tons of ways to get moo-ving, like dancing, biking, or walking. You may even want to try some yoga poses inspired by animals.

Lunch idea:

Day 7:

Rest Day is here again. Fun bat fact: little brown bats eat about half their weight a night. Follow their lead and make sure you’re also eating to fuel your energy needs!

Unwind from these animal-inspired workouts by using our vegan hygge guide.

Dinner idea:

*****

These animal-inspired workouts can energize you, put you in a better mood, and prepare you to take on life’s challenges. This is only the start of your wellness and animal liberation journey. Join our vegan list by texting VEGAN to 30933 for weekly vegan recipes and lifestyle tips.

The animal liberation movement is stronger with you in it. Let’s make some more vegan gains. 💪