Legend has it Cupid once said, “The couple who works out together stays together.”
Okay, Cupid didn’t say that—I did. Right now. Hahaha! But it’s true! Researchers have found that couples who exercise together share a deeper connection and report overall increased happiness in their relationships (Aron, Norman, Aron, & Heyman, 2000). If you and your significant other haven’t yet forayed into fitness together, what better time of year to dabble in duo exercise than during the season of love?! With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, here are some ways you and your other half can rev up the romance while also revving up your health.
- Try a group fitness class together. Break out of your solo gym circuit by trying out a boxing class, a bootcamp, or my personal favorite, a cycling class! If you have any fear of awkwardness working out with your partner for the first time, classes like these often feature low lighting and high energy so you don’t have to feel self-conscious about your SO peeping your moves.
- Take a hike one to two hours before sunset. If you live in a hilly or mountainous area, specifically try to find one that features lookouts or peaks at the top. There’s nothing like getting some fresh air together and soaking in nature, and what’s more romantic than standing on top of the world with the one you love?? To reward yourselves for all your hard work, surprise your SO by packing my favorite adult beverage, Truly Spiked & Sparkling, for a mountaintop date! It’s a low-calorie spiked sparkling water with all the deliciousness and none of the guilt (or bloat!). If you time your hike right, you’ll have missed the extreme heat of the day, enjoyed refreshments at the top, and will be safely on your way down before the last rays of sunlight are gone.
- If you and your partner have competitive natures, you might want to try a fitness challenge! Some ideas include:
- Two weeks of push-ups. If you don’t regularly do this move, start out on day 1 with 10 push-ups. Every day, try to add 1 to 2 push-ups. On day 14 (Valentine’s Day if you start on Feb. 1st!), have a push-up-off!
- Timed plank challenge. You can follow the same idea here. Start with a 30-second plank on day 1, and try to increase your time by 5+ seconds every day. If you really want to see some quick increased core strength, extend this challenge to 4 weeks!
- The other major component of health is of course diet. Cooking together is one of my favorite things to do in a relationship! Get creative by finding a healthy recipe and having a date night in. You’ll get to be intentional about spending time together and it will all culminate in one of the most sacred parts of life across all cultures—eating! Spaghetti squash is a delicious low-calorie way to make a faux pasta dish and it looks really fancy. 🙂
However you choose to experience V-Day this year, make sure to show the ones you care about how much you love them and not just tell them. And always remember fitness is a long game and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. Just hop right back in the saddle in the days after and keep it moving!
Be well,
-Lacey Xx
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