Most of us feel that we should dedicate more time than we do to looking after our fitness. Yet with busy lives, it is not so easy to turn good intentions into deeds. There are only so many hours in the day, and after a busy day at work, the last thing you want to do is disappear off to the gym for a couple of hours when you could be spending those precious minutes in the company of your family, friends, or significant other.
Let’s face it, unless you are a dedicated health freak, a solitary workout is probably not your idea of fun – and when it becomes a chore, it becomes a bore, meaning that as well as being less likely to turn out in the first place, you will probably not be putting your heart and soul into it, or making the best use of your time.
The funny thing is, your partner is probably thinking exactly the same thing – so why not start your new fitness regime together? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of working together, along with the activities that you might wish to consider and the preparations that you need to make.
Companionship and competition
If you are in it together, you are far less likely to find an excuse not to show up, as you will not want to let each other down. It also makes the gym a social activity to be shared, as opposed to another task to get out of the way.
You will find no better incentive to getting the best from your workout than having someone by your side. Create goals together, and encourage each other’s progress. There is also nothing like a little healthy competition to keep both of you on your toes!
Preparations
There is a huge variety of fitness activities around which to choose, so start out by deciding how and where to begin. Whether it is a run around the block, membership at a local gym, or a home workout routine, it is good to have a start point and to invest in some basic equipment and kit. For example, a matching kit comprising sports shoes, fitness clothing and other contoured body wear, such as a knee compression sleeve, will get you off to a flying start together. It will also provide a further incentive to make the most of your joint investment!
What activities work best as a pair?
Trying something new
You might both have your own ideas, so why not decide on four basic activities, choosing two each? This is likely to broaden your horizons, and will probably mean that you will end up trying something that you had not considered.
Avoid getting stuck in a rut, and agree timescales for changing your routine. You could take turns in researching new activities and classes.
Partner exercises
The first thing that springs to mind when you are operating as a team is partner exercises. From presses to passes, having a partner to hand opens up a whole new world of exercises you can try with nothing more complicated needed than a medicine ball and a couple of exercise bands!
Or how about a variation on a traditional theme with wheelbarrow pushups? They work just the same as traditional pushups, except that your partner holds your ankles into the “wheelbarrow” position that we all remember from school, and performs squats in time with your pushups.
Group classes
Trying out a new group class can be daunting when you are on your own, but it seems like far less of an ordeal when there are two of you together. Again, there is a vast array of choices, so check out what is on offer at your local gym. Yoga, Pilates, spinning, or even pole dancing – give it a go, you are sure to have an amazing time together.
More than a workout
Launching a joint workout regime presents so many benefits beyond the obvious improvement to your overall health and fitness. The shared experience will almost certainly bring you closer together, and it provides such a great source of fun and laughter that you will wish you had tried it years ago.
It will also give you the opportunity to try new experiences that you would never have considered on your own. Get out there together and change the concept of getting fit from an unpleasant task to some great time spent in even better company. You will be glad you did.
