Want to connect with your partner, improve self-esteem, and get a dose of feel good hormones? Get active with your partner!  No I’m not talking sexy time (though, go for it!). Exercising with your partner can mitigate the stress of parenting, increase relationship satisfaction, and of course you’ll both reap the health benefits of physical activity! Sounds good right?

Benefits of staying active with your partner

Get the most out of your gym time 

Want to get more out of your workout routine, bring your partner along! Did you know with partner support you’re more likely to stick to a routine than if you go it alone? (1) Working out with a partner provides motivation, positive affirmation and accountability that helps people stick to a routine.  That desire for approval from loved ones also significantly impacts how we approach fitness. (2) When one partner picks up a new healthy habit, both people are likely to stick to it! (3)

Boost romantic quality of relationship

Reduced stress and improved self-esteem =  increased libido. The major life transition that is having a child, may be having a negative effect on your libido. Reduced sex drive postpartum (and while nursing) is very common. Biologically your body is focused on new baby. But if you think the added stress and anxiety is playing a role, exercising may be a good answer. (4) Connecting with your partner through physical activity, without the pressure of sex, develops shared interests, improves intimacy, reduces stress, and increases endorphins.

Couples report feeling more satisfied with their relationships and more in love with their partner when they take on a new physical activity or challenge (5). Maybe this is why so many of the dates on the bachelor are skydiving…. #thanksno.

Common interest beyond poopy diapers!

Co-parenting sometimes means your relationship revolves around poopy diapers and nap schedules. But creating space for shared interests and goals, improves intimacy and emotional bonds. (5) Remember, you probably really like this person you chose to have a kid with and sometimes that piece of the relationship can get lost in the stress of parenting. Exercising together increases quality time spent together. Coordinating your actions in a partner workout or pacing on a run, invites non-verbal mimickry, which helps people feel more attune to each other. (5)

An important note: 

Reaping the benefits of staying active with your partner does not mean you have to do every single workout with them! Having “me time” is incredibly valuable. If the thought of bringing your partner along to your workout space creates more stress, try one of these ways to stay active with your partner.

5 Ways to Stay Active with your Partner

Staying active together doesn’t have to mean high-intensity gym sessions. The key is to find something you both enjoy.

• Explore nature
  • Go for a hike, try snow shoeing, or rent a kayak and paddle around! These outdoor adventures bring the dual benefits of exercise and stress-relieving time outside. Bring on the Vitamin D and fresh air!
• Take a group fitness class together
  • Group fitness takes the pressure off of performance! Going to yoga, zumba, crossfit, or a barre class allows each partner to go at their own pace, while still enjoying the time together.
• Daily walks
  • Daily evening walks are a great time to connect without the distraction of household to-dos or technology. Heading out for a 20 minute stroll through the neighborhood provides a great space to catch up on the day, talk about something beyond poopy diapers, and really tune into one another.
• Train for a fun run
  • Sign up for a no-pressure fun that supports a charity you’re both passionate about. Sync your training runs or if you prefer running solo, you can still reap the benefits of a shared goal.
• Do a partner workout!
  • Get sweaty together with a fun at-home partner workout. I wrote a fun one for you to try below!

 

Partner Workout!

Complete 4 Rounds

• • 20 Medball Side Tosses
    • be sure to switch sides you’re tossing from!
  • 15 Synchronized Squats
  • 10 Plank High-Fives
    • If you’re still healing diastases or are currently pregnant, this can be down in a low bear position

---

References

1. https://europepmc.org/article/med/8775648
2. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsep/18/1/article-p1.xml
3. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2091401
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/treating-hsdd/low-libido-and-depression#5
5. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201401/5-reasons-why-couples-who-sweat-together-stay-together