When in a relationship, both partners strive to make time for activities that they enjoy together. So, if you are both fitness enthusiasts, why not workout together? Studies and research have shown time and time again that couples who workout together benefit greatly from shared exercise routines and fitness regimens. Not only does it do wonders on their health and well-being, their relationship is also strengthened in the process.
Let’s explore some of the benefits of couple workouts…
Shared goals bring you closer
It is no secret that sharing goals and working towards them with your partner give your relationship a strong foundation and bring you purpose. While this is true out of the gym or exercise activity, it is also true in the fitness scenario. Working towards running a 5k together, or doing couples workouts towards lifting a certain weight, or simply having body-related goals like toned abs or a certain percentage of muscle mass bring the both of you closer and more entwined.
Sharing fitness goals and working out as a couple also helps you better understand the needs and motivations of your partner.
Quality time
We lead busy lives and often can’t make time for our significant others with work and responsibilities piling on. But if we are dedicated to being fit and healthy and getting in a regular workout despite a tedious schedule, wouldn’t it make more sense to do couples workouts where a particular time of day is carved out just for the both of you and fitness. Couples workouts give busy partners a chance to relate, talk, encourage each other and release a lot of stress, ensuring that their time spent together is truly quality time.
Constant motivation and accountability
Getting in regular workouts with your partner is so great, because you always have a cheerleader by your side to push you towards your goals. The motivation one gets from a partner understanding one’s goals, showing up and sharing their aims is unlike any other feeling. The confidence shown by your partner in you will bring you loads of confidence in yourself too. Likewise, we trust our significant others to be always honest with us and to never sugarcoat our imperfections. So, when you are jeopardising your fitness goals by eating something you shouldn’t or simply not getting out of bed to make it for your morning run, you can trust your partner to hold you accountable. When couples workout together, there is a constant give and take of motivation and accountability that in turn strengthens their relationships.
Improved efficiency
When we are with our loved ones, though we can be our pure selves around them, there is a need or a desire to put our best foot forward, to be our best selves. This is true for working out as a couple too. Wishing to do our best, coupled with the motivation and support we receive from our partners automatically help us perform better and work harder, improving the efficiency of the workout session.
Healthy competition
Of course, the both of you are going to support each other through every session. And yet, some healthy competition in achieving smaller workout goals is a great way to get you both pumped. Not to mention, it’s incredibly fun! Healthy competition also helps you stay on track with your fitness and once done with your workout, remains as a sweet, playful memory that you will revisit as a couple many times down the line.
Non-verbal mimicry leads to a strong bond
When you workout as a couple, you will find yourself matching pace with your partner, mimicking their rhythm or energy and feeling very much on the same page as them. This is called non-verbal mimicry. It is unintentional in involuntary. Non-verbal mimicry is a powerful tool in helping bring partners closer together. Matching your actions with each other makes one feel more attuned to and in sync with one’s significant other, which in turn causes feelings of bonding and unity – a connection that leaves both partners satisfied and fulfilled.
