Of course you know that there are countless physical, mental, and emotional benefits to getting in plenty of exercise. But you've probably never given much thought to the immense potential benefits of getting that exercise while spending time with your partner. Maybe it's time to start! Even if you and your boyfriend or girlfriend have totally different fitness levels and are aiming to get something completely different from your workout, exercising together can be a great way to spend time together. And it can have a great effect on the quality of your workout, as well.
Benefits of Couples Exercise
The best thing about working out with your partner is that you're not doing any of the work on your own. Having somebody you trust watching your form and helping to spot you when necessary is a great way to be safer while you're working out. It can also be motivating during your workout to have your partner with you. The more praise you receive the better you'll feel... and the more you want to work hard to impress them.
Working out as a couple is also wonderful for your relationship. It allows you to spend real quality time together --that is, time not spent in front of the TV or a movie screen-- doing something that you'll both feel good about. Your shared workout will also be one more thing to share and draw you closer in your relationship. And the more you share and keep in common, the stronger your bond will be.
Great Couple Workout Ideas
Have you managed to nab a great new boyfriend or girlfriend from an internet dating site and want to merge your fitness schedules? Read on for some great ways to get fit together.
Take a class.
Some classes, like dancing, partner yoga, and boxing, are perfect for couples because they require more than one participant to work. But any class you want to take can be great for both you and your partner. You never know... your boyfriend or girlfriend may learn to love your spin class as much as you do.
Do side-by-side cardio workouts.
You don't always need to be doing something specific in order to work out together. Simply working out next to each other on cardio machines at the gym can be a bonding experience. Having somebody to talk to will help kill some of that gym boredom. And you never know what might happen if you get a little competition going!
Match intensities with interval training.
With most couples, one person will be more fit or more able than the other. If this sounds like you, interval training may be a great way to go. With interval training, you push hard for short, intense bursts, followed by easier, lower-intensity intervals. This way, the fitter of you is well-challenged, but the less-fit person can still keep up. With time, your abilities may even out and let you exercise at the same pace right across the board.
Play a sport.
There are plenty of sports that are just made for couples, such as tennis or racket ball. Or you can join a team and meet new people while you spend time together. Either way, you sweat, you work, you bond... and you have a really good time doing it.
Get outside.
Rather than staying focused on the gym, it's a great idea for you and your sweetie to broaden your horizons and build a new hobby together. Whether it's hiking or rock climbing or just taking a walk, getting outside to get exercise together will keep you closer... and away from the TV.
Switch it up.
Think you're not interested in learning your partner's favorite form of exercise? You might be surprised at what you could end up liking. Go quid quo pro with your partner; every time he or she does an exercise you love, do an exercise that he or she loves. It won't only keep you fit together, but will teach you to appreciate one another's interests.
Learn assisted stretching techniques.
Stretching on your own can be effective. But nothing is quite as effective at increasing flexibility as partner stretching. Do a search online or go to a class to learn some great assisted stretching techniques, then do them together. As a bonus, learning assisted stretching may give you some fun ideas for time spent outside of the gym (and between the sheets), as well.
