This is a guest post by Frances Hall.
If you’re trying to get in shape, or already are and want to stay that way, exercising regularly is the best way to accomplish your goal. Some people don’t have any trouble maintaining a regular workout routine without anyone’s help. Their will power sustains them. Others do better when they have a partner willing to share the struggle to keep the pounds off and their bodies in tip-top shape.
If you’re one of those people who enjoy exercising with a partner, you may be interested in the following workout ideas for couples.
Biking Is Great Exercise
Biking is a fairly low impact way to spend time together and get some exercise in the process. Riding a bike is one of the best ways to get from one place to another, under your own power, with a minimum of effort. Unlike sports where you expend a tremendous amount of energy without going very far, a bicycle will carry you quite a distance in relation to your expended energy. That’s not to say it’s not good exercise. It is. By riding long distances together, you can spend some quality time together, and reap the benefit of getting the exercise you need.
Hike Your Way to Better Health
Another way you can be together and enjoy the benefits of good health is to go for a hike, which doesn’t necessarily mean carrying a backpack and trekking along wooded paths. Hiking can be something as simple as taking a long walk along the beach or around the block. Walking is a good form of exercise, and if you do it with someone you like, you’ll walk off some calories and strengthen your muscles as well as spend some quality time with your partner.
Go Swimming Together
Swimming is another sport that lends itself to groups or couples. Whether it’s doing laps in an indoor pool, or splashing around in a lake or at the beach, swimming is a great form of exercise. Working out as a couple by doing laps or taking a leisurely swim will make both parties work harder, and enjoy each other’s company.
Nothing Beats Jogging
Jogging is one of the most popular forms of exercise. The sport offers a lot of benefits. Your heart is strengthened, as are your lungs. Your legs will become stronger, and you’ll burn a lot of calories. Jogging with a partner will allow you to talk as you run. The time will pass quicker, and you can challenge each other to perform better.
Take Up Resistance Training
A good workout for couples is resistance training. This is a low impact way to increase muscle strength without having to lift huge amounts of weight. The idea behind resistance training is to have one person do a series of exercises while the other pushes against the movement, thus offering resistance. Even if the partners are quite different in size and strength, resistance training can be effective.
Dance for Fun and Exercise
A no-brainer as far as couples workouts go is dancing. Although most people don’t think of dancing as exercise, but merely fun, it can be a good workout. Performing dance routines with a partner can be a work of art, as well. Choose vigorous dance steps, such as a salsa or swing dancing in order to get the most benefit. Ballroom dancing is also a good choice. Dancing is great aerobic exercise because it involves a lot of movement and a tremendous expenditure of energy.
Try Group Aerobics
Any form of exercise that gets your blood flowing, and makes you use your muscles repeatedly is good for you-providing you don’t overdo it. A popular form of exercise nowadays is group aerobics. These workouts usually take place in a gym of some sort, and involve some form of stretching before the actual exercise routine begins. The entire group follows a leader who performs different moves, which they emulate. Group aerobics can be the perfect workout for couples.
Play Some Tennis
A natural form of exercise for couples is to play a few sets of tennis. Running around chasing a little ball from one end of the court to the other will make you use quite a few muscles. It’ll get your heart pumping, and your blood flowing. It is also a lot of fun. You can play doubles with another couple, or play against each other. Either way, playing tennis is a great workout.
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