Most things in life are better when we do them together. Exercise is one of them. We know workout buddies can make a huge difference to your training, so why not make your buddy your other half? Bringing your partner into your routine has incredible physical and emotional benefits – science says so. Let’s have a look at the facts.
5 REASONS YOU SHOULD WORKOUT OUT TOGETHER
1 – working out together increases happiness in your relationship
Research shows that couples who take on new and exciting activities together report feeling more satisfied in their relationships and more in love with their partner. It makes sense: in the early stages of a relationship, there’s lots of novelty and exhilaration. Naturally, this novelty decreases over time. By engaging jointly in workouts, classes, or sports, the positive effects of engaging in fresh challenges together are associated with the relationship.
2 – your partner’s presence boosts your energy output
Simply having someone else present while you train will improve your effort and speed, whether you’re conscious of it or not. When we train alone, without the external push of a personal trainer or gym buddy, we often put up mental barriers to exercising harder or longer. Involve your partner and you introduce a sort of positive competitiveness – putting more effort into your workout than you may have done on your own.
3 – fitness goals are easier to work towards together
Finding the discipline to turn a strenuous workout or early-morning run into a habit is more attainable when you have someone by your side. Supportive comments and a mutual interest in fitness means you can boost each others’ morale and hold each other accountable.
4 – couples workout creates bonds
By coordinating your movements with your partner (we have a workout below to exemplify) you experience a phenomenon called non-verbal matching (or mimicry), which helps you feel more attuned to your partner. Exercises such as clapping hands during a plank or running to the same rhythm have positive consequences. Though our brains may not consciously recognise it, non-verbal mimicking creates feelings of similarity and empathy, strengthening your bond to your partner.
5 – exercise increases physical attraction to each other
Studies show a positive correlation between adrenaline and attraction. So, basically, exercising with your partner can make you more attracted to each other. From a racing pulse to sweating palms, physical activity induces physiological symptoms similar to that of romantic arousal.
THE BEST COUPLES WORKOUT FOR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
While you can both complete the same routine simultaneously, it’s so much more effective (and enjoyable) to use each other’s bodies as part of the exercise. This interactive couples workout is a genuine joy that’ll leave you both feel pumped and closer than ever.
WARM-UP
Resistance run
- One partner stands inside a resistance band while the other holds it from the outside.
- Standing a couple of steps apart (enough to make the band taut) run on the spot for 30 seconds.
- Swap and repeat.
COUPLES WORKOUT
Repeat for 3-5 rounds. Depending on your fitness level.
1. Wall sit with tricep dip
- Have one partner lean back against the wall, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Push your head, shoulders and back against the wall, then slide your back down the wall until your thighs are parallel with the floor.
- Partner 2: place your heels at your partner’s toes and hold yourself up on their thighs using your triceps.
- Slide forward so your legs are straight ahead, then lower yourself until your elbows are bent between 45 and 90 degrees.
- Push yourself back and repeat for 12 reps.
- Swap positions and repeat.
2. Wheelbarrow push-ups
- Have your partner grab your feet so that you’re only holding yourself up with your hands on the ground.
- Walk one step forward with each hand, then perform a push-up.
- Step back with each hand and repeat for 10 reps.
- Swap positions and repeat.
3. Flat back chair twist
- Facing each other, both partners lock your right hands and sit back, as if squatting into an imaginary chair.
- Keeping your knees in line with your ankles, twist your waist and use your left hand to touch the ground.
- Swap hands and repeat for 20 twists.
4. Partner plank claps
- With both partners facing, assume a perfect plank position.
- Once you’re grounded, reach out your right hands and clap from the side.
- Return your right hand and repeat with your left hands.
- Repeat for five reps with each hand (10 reps in total).
Want more? Here’s another Valentine’s workout. Sweat together, stay together.
