For many people, exercising is a form of destressing. They see it as a form of self-care, a personal time to just sweat it out, and connect to oneself on a different level. Whether they work out in a group, go for a run, join a class or carry weights on their own in the gym or at home, some people view their exercising sessions as a Zen moment for them, and that’s great.
But then, have you considered working out with your partner or spouse? A study conducted on behalf of Freeletics, a fitness app, found that couples who worked out frequently together were 20% more likely to have frequent intercourse.
The benefits extend to more than just frequent intimacy. Here are some of the benefits of sweating it out with your partner:
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You have someone to keep you accountable.
Imagine this scenario. You wake up, kiss your partner in the morning, and tell them that you’re going to work out in the evening. Your day starts with tons of meetings, eat a huge lunch, and then you spend a long time stuck in traffic. You reach home, tired and hungry. You decide to forgo your workout sesh only to receive a ping on your phone from your partner, asking if you’re ready for your workout. You’re in crossroads right now — do you quit, or do you work out? Having a partner who keeps you accountable to your goals (especially the one you made in the morning) is vital, especially when it comes to your health. There are days when you’ll feel you can’t do it, but if you know your partner is going to exercise, chances are you’d also be motivated to exercise, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.
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You have better focus and work out better with your partner.
Studies have shown that people who work out together with their partners perform their exercises better. We automatically become better versions of ourselves in front of partners, and we also have wider access to positive energy. It works both ways — you get motivated seeing your partner working out at full capacity, and you also motivate your partner at times when they feel like giving up. It’s a two-way street, and it also helps to connect with your partner at an emotional and mental level. At times, our body can be giving up on us, but when we have our partners next to us pushing those reps, we become motivated to want to try harder.
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You perform your exercises with better form.
Working out with your partner can also help both of you spot mistakes with posture and form. Not only will you be accountable to commit to your workout days, but you’ll also be accountable to the routines you have and perform exercises the right way. This is one of the reasons why watching videos is effective because they enable you to see how workouts are done the right way. Your partner, in many ways, acts as your trainer, too.
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You can increase the efficiency of your workouts.
You may already feel skilled in doing an exercise. Having a romantic partner working out with you increases this efficiency by two-folds, and it also increases your energy output. Your speed is better, your form is better, and your energy is better without you even realizing it. A study published in the journal of Obesity also suggests that weight loss is faster when you train with your romantic partner.
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Exercising together increases your emotional bond.
Working out together can also coordinate your actions. Running at the same pace, lifting weight in sync with your partner, and even being each other’s yoga buddy creates nonverbal matching or mimicry. This benefits both partners in a romantic relationship because nonverbal matching helps a couple engage emotionally with each other. People who feel better with emotional bonds also develop deeper and sustainable feelings for each other. Exercising with your partner provides an opportunity to connect at a different level that’s beneficial for your mental and emotional health. You also understand each other in a way outside your comfort zone, since you’re pushing each other to try harder, put in more reps, and become better versions of yourselves. In many ways, you’re seeing your partner as raw as they are, sometimes in their weakest moments, and you’ll fall in love with them because of how determined they are and the strength they have to continue. This is a connection that’s so hard to obtain yet extremely valuable.
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Create workout gear for you and your workout partner.
Firstly, buying workout gear helps motivate people to work out. Secondly, while this may sound corny, getting a pair of workout gear for you and your partner is cute and fun! While you don’t have to wear it often, it’s something that both of you can hold on to and make it your own symbol of commitment toward a healthier lifestyle. Better yet, get a couple’s workout gear when you start your workout schedule and see how much weight you’ve lost along the way. Do a before-after when you reach specific milestones in your weight-loss journey to compare and see how far you’ve come. If you’re looking to get some personalized workout gear done such as jerseys or t-shirts, Just Vision It is one such service that does exceptional printing for custom apparel.
Final Thoughts
If working out with your partner isn’t something you see yourself doing all the time, that’s okay. You don’t necessarily need to exercise with them all the time, every time. Going to the gym together but doing your own thing is also a great way to sweat together. You can also dedicate at least one workout session with your partner each week to motivate, inspire, and bond. Sometimes, it’s always good to have the person you’re in a relationship with to be part of this health journey. Exercising and staying healthy is a commitment and a lifestyle. If you and your partner can stick through this, you’ll be able to overcome any challenge life throws at you.
Even so, exercising together is just a different kind of couple’s activity.
