Couples’ workouts to bring you closer
COUPLES are always exploring ways to inject life into their relationships to build on intimacy, to nurture physical and mental health, increase bonding time, and, of course, to have fun. With more scientific research suggesting that couples who work out together generally stay together, then inviting your partner to assume the role of your workout buddy is the secret ingredient you have been hunting.
Personal and fitness trainer and fitness instructor Gisel Harrow says couples will find it fulfilling to participate in exercise activities with their significant others not only because of the expected health benefits, but couples who exercise together will stay together because this creates quality time spent.
“A relationship is about teamwork, helping each other, supporting each other, as well as generally wanting to see your partner well — and that is both physically and emotionally. Exercising and staying committed to your fitness journey can allow this and will help couples to remain happy and healthy,” Harrow said.
Below she shares some exercises you should try:
1. Warm-up
Firstly, you should do cardio sessions with running, skipping, swimming or a brisk walk to ensure that your body is warmed up, and you would have adequately stretched your muscles and got your heart ready for the rigours of the workout session.
2. Partner squats
First, stand facing each other. While holding hands, lower your bodies into a seated position. Having done this, keep your knees behind your toes then return to start position. Do three sets of this 15-20 times, repeatedly.
3. Push-up touch
Start by lying on your stomach on the floor, elbows bent at 90 degrees and palms on the floor in a lowered push-up position. As you get up in the push-up, reach out and touch your partner’s hand. Return to start position and do this 10-15 times repeatedly for three sets.
4. Partner sit-ups
Get in a seated position facing each other. Make sure that your knees are bent with your feet/toes touching. Now lower your back on the floor and back up to sitting position with both hands touching at the top. Do three sets of 15-20 repetitions.
5. Step drills or sprints
This type of exercise requires a flight of stairs, but if you don’t have that you can choose an area that you can do short sprints. With both partners standing at opposite ends, run up the flight of stairs or the designated sprinting area and sprint run up the stairs or to the end of a point agreed upon as fast as you can and touch your partner. Repeat for a timed period that both parties agree on. With this routine you can time each other and then compare times.
6. Leg throw down
Stand straight up while your partner lies on his/her back on the floor with his/her feet together. Position your feet in line with your partner’s head. Your partner should then use their hands to wrap around your ankles. Now, as your partner slowly brings their legs up, prepare to give their feet a gentle push away from your body (so that the legs move towards the ground). Your partner should make sure that they raise their legs towards you again each time before they hit the ground. Do this for three sets of five repetitions, then trade places.
Harrow said there are other benefits to be had when couples exercise at home together, including that they are more flexible with the time they can dedicate to exercising, they will feel more like the time is for relaxation or fun rather than exercise being a need-to-do activity, and they can wear whatever they want to exercise without offending others.
Have you managed to transform your body through weight gain or weight loss? Want to share your story with us? E-mail clarkep@ jamaicaobserver.com
