Fitness for Married Couples – 6 Reasons to Exercise Together
In a perfect world, you never miss a workout. You’re committed to your fitness goals and exceed your steps each and every day. But the reality is that working out every day can be a daunting task. The good news is that with your sweetheart at your side, getting fit no longer has to be a challenge.
It can now be an amazing opportunity for you and your spouse to get close and deepen your bond as a couple.
Benefits of Fitness for Married Couples
Are you ready for the challenge? Whether you made a goal at the beginning of the new year to get fit or you’re simply looking to pay more attention to fitness for married couples, there are plenty of reasons to exercise as a couple.
1. More Likely to Keep Exercising
Have your fitness endeavors fallen flat in the past? There are many reasons why this might be the case. For a start, it can be hard to stay motivated day after day to go get sweaty at the gym. Some people may also find working out quite boring.
You’re running on a treadmill for at least thirty minutes and sometimes listening to Podcasts or books just doesn’t keep your interest.
One great thing about fitness for married couples is that you’ll have the perfect company, every time. Studies show that people who work out with a partner will often beat the two-month curse of exercising (quitting after two months) and stay true to their routines for at least two years or longer.
It can also be extremely encouraging to have your partner there, cheering you on to keep going until you reach your goal can have a positive effect on your workout.
2. Quality Time Together
Another great of working out as a couple is that you have guaranteed quality time together.
Research reveals that couples who regularly spend time together are happier together and much less likely to get divorced. A regular date night (or workout date, in this case!) can also boost communication and romantic love between partners.
If this isn’t a reason to start making your gyms into a mini-date, we don’t know what is.
In order to take proper advantage of this, make sure you and your partner are using your workouts as an opportunity to talk, share, and encourage one another.
The bonding doesn’t work if you’re running beside each other with headphones on!
3. Staying Fit and Healthy
One of the most obvious benefits of working out as a couple is that you are taking care of your bodies together. Exercising regularly and eating a proper diet will help you maintain your weight, aid in weight loss, and reshape/tone your body.
This will work wonders for your self-esteem and body image.
Not only will your bodies be thanking you for the regular physical activity, but studies also show that exercise can have a positive effect on your mental health. Exercise is a natural form of stress relief, while yoga and stretching have been shown to reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression.
4. Boost to your Intimate Life
There is another surprising benefit to working out regularly with your spouse – it will heighten your sexual drive!
Studies show that working out can actually boost a woman’s libido, overall sexual satisfaction and make her more interested in sex. The study goes on to say that the positive body image gained from chronic exercise can also increase sexual well-being.
Going to the gym is bound to make you feel vulnerable in front of your spouse. After all, there is a lot of bending, squatting, sweating, and unflattering positions you contort into while at the gym.
This works out great for your sex life since you feel more comfortable being vulnerable and trying new things together as a couple.
5. Trying Something New is Healthy
Have you been married for a long time? If so, you’ve likely found yourselves in a familiar routine. While this loving routine may feel comfortable, it’s good for you to get out of your box every once in a while, and spice things up.
Trying new exercise routines like martial arts, doing CrossFit, or learning yoga stretches can help expand your mind and deepen your relationship.
Studies show that shared activities, such as learning a new exercise, doing a HIIT workout at home together, or going for a way, actually promotes marital satisfaction.
6. Enhances Cooperation Skills
Exercising is a constant learning process.
You learn how your body reacts to certain movements and how to have proper form to prevent yourself from getting hurt. A gym also offers various classes and activities that you can learn as a couple.
All of these lessons and shared growth is sure to enhance your cooperation skills, especially if you do physical workouts together.
Cooperation is great for your marriage because it helps you have empathy for your spouse, teaches you to be patient, and helps you solve problems in a mature and respectful way.
Things to Keep in Mind
If you want to succeed as a couple at the gym, it’s important to remember to be patient. Your spouse may not be as well-versed with all the machines and methods or may not have as much stamina as you do.
Exercise is a process that requires patience.
It’s also a great idea to meal prep together as a couple. Getting fit is half working out, half maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
Do it for your health, not your reflection. Losing weight and toning up are great goals to have, but should not be your primary reason for stepping into the gym. Instead, set reachable goals like being able to run for X many minutes without losing your breath.
This will help both of you to stay encouraged and motivated.
There are many benefits to pursuing fitness for married couples. Not only will you be able to spend quality time together regularly as a couple, but you’ll also be helping each other to crush your goals and boost your health.
Just remember to set realistic goals, watch your diet, and encourage each other to stay strong and active.
Author Bio: Rachael Pace is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. She has helped countless individuals and organizations around the world, offering effective and efficient solutions for healthy and successful relationships. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com, a reliable resource to support healthy happy marriages.