The Couple That Sweats Together

A recent study on the subject found that couples are more likely to mimic each other’s habits-good or bad, including our health and fitness habits. It is now an established fact that our social networks also influence weight and obesity by influencing our eating patterns and the content of our diets.  

People are more likely to be overweight and unhealthy if their friends or social networks are. So imagine how truer this is of couples who live together. 

Men or women who eat healthy and workout, more often than not, influence their partners to eat healthier and work out as well, but more than that, studies show that working out together actually boosts weight loss success. There are also several other benefits for couples who opt to sweat together. For one its an additional opportunity to spend quality time together that you wouldn’t otherwise. The increased endorphins, improved stamina and sexier leaner body are bound to improve your sex life.

As in any other activity, working out with your partner helps keep you both motivated. Now you each have your own personal cheer section to egg each other on and to keep each other accountable for attaining your goals which also adds value to the relationship with your partner. Talk to your partner about your goals, so that they can offer better support to help you achieve them. It really helps to have a shared vision so that you can both share in the victory and satisfaction of seeing each other achieve your goals.

Remember exercise is a great stress reliever and mood booster, which means the more you push and the more of your frustration you leave on the gym floor the better for your relationship outside of the gym.

The fact that you care enough about your and your partner’s health is also a powerful statement of your love and commitment to them and your family.

But more than just being in the gym together, it is important to choose the right kinds of exercises to do together. There’s no point being in the same gym on different machines or else you’re defeating the whole point of working out together. So be creative…design a series of exercises or circuits that allows you to take turns on the machine while the other spots, for example, or design some exercises that you can do simultaneously. Partner based exercises are more fun especially if you introduce a competitive element to them.

Also be careful to avoid some of the natural downsides to working out together. Don’t become so competitive that you become jealous of or resent your partner for doing better at an exercise or lifting more weight or getting results faster than you.

Make sure to work out your schedules to avoid frustration, by maybe splitting household chore or other responsibilities to make time for each other and most importantly have fun with each other,

Kendal Burton is a Certified Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor, Sports Nutrition Specialist and owner of Edge Personal Fitness. For more health and fitness tips “friend” us on Facebook, or join our free fitness community atwww.edgepersonalfitness.com. If you have any questions, or a topic you’d like us to address email usatmail@edgepersonalfitness.com