Couples workouts for you and your partner

Exercise sessions for couples

When you’re thinking of the best way to train with your partner the key ingredient is to be imaginative with your exercise and training sessions. Now that you’re not going solo you can get more out of each workout with just a little planning. Try out some of the following exercise for couple ideas to jazz up your workouts sessions together...

Hare and hounds running

It doesn’t matter if you and your partner have different fitness levels, just try this workout for a really competitive, quality workout session.

1. Pick a short circular route, perhaps around your neighbourhood or local park.

2. Calculate your separate predicted finishing times for about five consecutive laps.

3. Subtract the slowest predicted time from the fastest.

4. The slower runner sets off first.

5. Once the difference between the two predicted times calculated in step 3 is up, the faster runner starts.

6. The session is finished when both runners have completed five laps each.

This type of workout is extremely motivating as the ‘hare’ tries to stay ahead and the ‘hound’ races to try and catch the hare. As your fitness levels change, simply tweak the start times slightly and for further variety, vary the number of laps.

Gym partner sets

Another great motivator for couples is to train in sets. It helps you to train effectively together and enhance each other’s workout.

1. Partner one executes their first resistance-training exercise.

2. Partner two sets up the weights or equipment for partner one’s second exercise.

3. As soon as partner one finishes their exercise, partner two takes over.

3. Whilst partner two trains, partner one prepares partner two’s next exercise.

5. This process is repeated with each partner helping the other.

This exercise session is extremely dynamic and reduces wasted time in the gym. Neither partner can avoid their next exercise as the sequence must continue. Additionally, always having your partner in close proximity means that safety is covered and you always have a motivator close at hand.

Al fresco active for mulitple couples

This session is ideal for a couple who have enlisted a group of friends to participate in their training sessions (perhaps other couples you know who are getting married too?)

1. All couples meet at your local neighbourhood or park.

2. Each person brings a list of three or four exercises.

3. Each exercise is carried out for a pre-determined time, say 30 seconds, followed by an agreed rest period, say one minute.

4. One group member starts by demonstrating their first exercise and then everyone executes it for 30 seconds.

5. The second group member nominates and demonstrates an exercise, after which everyone follows.

6. The circuit continues until everyone has completed their list or if the group is large, everyone has completed two exercises.

With this session, the rule is that everyone works at their own pace and level. Because of the variety of exercises, no-one is likely to be strong at them all, so every group member can do well. A motivating element of the al fresco session is group members bringing in new exercises for each session. Exercise ideas include: press-ups, tricep dips, sit-ups, lunges, squats, sprints, back extensions; the list goes on! As with any exercise session, don’t forget to include a warm-up and cool-down with these exercise ideas, so that you get the most out of the session and to ensure you don’t risk pulling cold muscles.

A real exercise partnership

By partnering up with your other half and occasionally with friends will mean that your workouts need never be dull, and as well as bringing additional training benefits, they are great opportunities for you to spend time together as a couple.