Ways To Exercise As A Couple
It’s hard to stick with an exercise program when you’re doing it on your own. It seems like everything gets in your way. When you exercise as a couple, you have a built-in workout partner who will support your endeavors and help you stick with a schedule. You can turn family time into exercise time with activities that get everyone moving, including the kids. Hiking, bike riding, and even family hula hoop contests can be fun while providing calorie-burning exercise.
Start by setting ground rules.
Talk it over and create a schedule. Make your workout an appointment at the same time every day. It helps establish a routine and habit that’s hard to break. It’s important that both people are equally committed or the plan will fail and create hard feelings. When doing a specific exercise, each person should have their own goal based on their fitness level. Include strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance training. Don’t forget to include fun activities, too.
Go to the gym or work out at home.
If you aren’t sure where to start a personal trainer can help. Opt for semi-private training and go together. You’ll each get a personal assessment and a program designed for your needs. Stop afterward for a healthy meal and make it a night out. You can even find another couple to join you at the gym to make it more fun. If you’re working out at home, make sure you focus on the proper form. Improper form can cause injury and diminish the benefits.
Make a date night active.
You can schedule workouts during the week but make date night special. Go roller skating, bowling, hiking, or opt for a night of dancing. You don’t have to go to a club, turn up the music and dance in the living room. Ballroom dancing is a fabulous couples’ activity that can add a challenge and improve your fitness. Everyone who has ever watched “Dance with the Stars” has seen the before and after differences in the stars’ fitness.
- There are drawbacks to working out with a spouse. It’s easy to skip a workout when you feel comfortable enough to say you don’t feel like it. Find ways to overcome the urge to avoid exercising.
- If you can’t work out every night, try three nights a week. No matter how many hours per week you work out, any increase in activity is beneficial.
- Try couples’ exercises. An example is back-to-back squats that start in a standing position with arms intertwined. Do a couple’s plank where you face each other and in the middle of the plank, do a high five.
- Everyone is different. Expect to see those differences magnified when you work out together. One person may improve faster than the other. It can occur for many reasons. Focus on your accomplishments and congratulate your partner on his or hers.
For more information, contact us today at Thrive Fitness!