Train Together, Stay (Fit) Together? by Randal Schober, ED.d Exercise with your companion and gain quality time while losing weight   print article      send to a friend

Lets begin with stretching.  Flexibility has always been the quiet achiever of every successful exercise program.  Its importance in reducing the risk of injury, maintaining the range of motion of joints and muscles and improving your skeletal posture, is too often forgotten. A wonderful fact about stretching is that it works great with two people.  To move the joints through a full range of motion your partner can add resistance, which increases the stretch and improves flexibility.  Also, you will have an opportunity to get your partner into some compromising positions. A series of safe partner stretches can be found in reputable fitness book and/or magazines.

If swimming is an exercise that you enjoy then go take a splash with your significant other. Lane swimming will allow for simultaneous swimming.  If your partner normally avoids water as they exhibit the characteristics of a rock, then remind them numerous swimming aids are available, such as kick boards and hand and feet fins to help them keep up. A pair of swimming goggles will make the experience even more pleasant.

Strength training has always been an essential part of a comprehensive exercise program.  It helps to tone or build muscle, increase metabolism and sculpt the body you want.  Co-ed training is easily achieved by the use of both machine and free weights.  The problem is often that men lift more than women do, but with pin allocated weight machines you can turn 20 lbs. into 200 lbs. instantly and hence allow yourself to train consecutively.  Also, with the wide arrangement of dumbbells available at most clubs, you and your partner can select appropriate "weights" and execute identical exercises together. Take the opportunity to "spot" your partner to insure safety and correct form and technique.

Stationary bikes and treadmills allow for various speeds, grades and resistance.  So sit or walk next to your partner, chat about your day and vary your intensity to maximize your workout.

If you're interested, most personal trainers encourage couple exercise session and normally offer a discount to train a couple simultaneously.

Training together can be "just like riding a bike." Nearly everyone knows how to ride a bicycle and it is a great way to get increase aerobic fitness, strengthen and tone your thighs and calves and allows you to experience a breath of fresh air.  Both road cycling and mountain biking can provide an opportunity to experience the great outdoors together.  If you are so inclined, "tandem bikes" makes cycling in pairs fun, and if your partner doesn't look behind, sit in the back and enjoy the complimentary ride. 

If you and your partner are really serious about sharing some quality exercise time, then why not set yourselves a mutual physical goal such as a triathlon, 5k fun run or half marathon. Many rewards can be achieved when a couple set themselves common goals and achieve them.

Through community based co-ed sports, many couples have found an opportunity to play softball, indoor and outdoor soccer, basketball and/or tennis together.  These co-ed sports are often available through your local YMCA or community gym.  You may be pleasantly surprised with your partner's hidden athletic skills.

If you and your partner are constantly faced with vastly differing strengths, preferred activities and/or physical skill then why not try something completely new. A novel activity like roller blading, snow boarding, kayaking or rock climbing can allow for a shared learning curve.  So, choose something you have both always wanted to do and like everything that you experience together for the first time, it will have long-lasting memories and maybe a few laughs as well.

Some couples have an additional member of the family who hates to be left at home.  Jogging strollers designed to carry your children in comfort are available and allow the whole family to enjoy an exhilarating run.  Handicap the more athletic partner by making him or her push the stroller. 

We all know the importance of regular exercising and are continually looking for ways to make it enjoyable.  Training with your companion may be a way of doing just that.  So, if you don't get enough quality time with your partner, then try exercising together.  In this way, both of you get the health benefits associated with exercise and maybe prove the theory that training together does help you stay together.