A couples workout sounds like a romantic and fun idea, and also a great way to spend more time together. But it’s not always as good as it seems. If you and your partner have different fitness levels, interests and schedules, you’ll need to sit down and make adjustments before you get started. You should also weigh the pros and cons of a couple workout so you can properly decide if this is what you want.
Pros and Cons of Working Out Together
In an ideal world, you and your partner do the same stuff together, enjoy the same things and have similar skills, interests, and abilities. But reality is quite different. You may both come from entirely different backgrounds, have different viewpoints of fitness and exercise, and have conflicting schedules. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:
1. Accountability
Working out on your own means you have the freedom to hit the gym whenever you want. But that also means you can skip leg day if you don’t want to do it. When you’re working out with your partner however, they will hold you accountable and make sure you stick to the schedule/program. You’ll also be helping each other with chores and other stuff to ensure you both will be able to exercise.
2. Motivation
At the beginning of any workout regime it’s easy to get all pumped up and eager to begin the fitness journey. But somewhere along the way, you feel tired and not so happy with your progress that you’ll want to quit. But with a partner, you have someone cheering you on and encouraging you to keep going. You’ll be each other’s #1 fan.
3. Quality Time
If you think you’re not spending enough time together then a couples workout is something you should try. Exercise or physical activity done together as a couple is a form of intimacy, so a quick jog or even a spin session may help you and your partner feel more connected—even if it’s just a short workout. Besides, doing things together is always a good thing for a relationship.
But it’s not always a bed of roses. Issues and disagreements may arise, including:
- If one is fit and the other isn’t, then there may be a tendency for the other to feel inadequate or insecure especially if the fit spouse takes on a unwelcome or harsh coaching role.
- Conflicts in terms of scheduling may arise. There may be times that a partner has to skip the workout due to meetings or school events. If your workouts are designed for two people then you both may have to miss the workout altogether.
Workout Ideas for Couples
Assuming you and your partner are on a similar fitness level, here are some couple workout ideas you can try:
1. Playground Circuit Workout
This is a good workout if you have a big space or a park close to your home. Take turns timing each other (using a stopwatch or your smartphone). For example, your partner might sprint for 60 seconds in the first interval. Then you can do brisk walking. On the next interval, your partner can do full push-ups then you do a modified version after. You can learn how to do this workout here.
2. Weight Training
Strength training is a great exercise for couples. You can do this in a local health club, a gym like Crunch Fitness, or even at home. All you need are a few dumbbells and resistance bands. Just be sure to use weights that are suitable to your fitness level and you can also spot each other when lifting heavier weights.
3. Yoga
You’ve probably heard about yoga for couples. These poses are designed to help you connect and have more intimacy. At the same time, these poses help build your balance, strength and flexibility. You can check out the poses in this video: