Once the initial ‘new year, new me’ buzz wears off, for many clients, maintaining the same level of motivation and sticking to resolutions is easier said than done… but could working out with a partner be the answer?
Research done by the University of Aberdeen found that finding a new exercise companion actually increased the amount of exercise people took. This was increased even more when the new partner was emotionally supportive1.
Commenting on the psychology of working out with somebody else and how it’s great for our overall wellbeing, Sally Baker, therapist at Working On The Body, says, “Motivation and accountability are just two of the many reasons why training with your partner can improve the results you get from your workouts, both physically and mentally. With a training buddy, you are statistically much more likely to turn up, as you’re accountable to each other and you will mutually motivate each other to achieve your fitness goals and improve your health.”
A bit of healthy competition can also provide that extra boost to get the absolute maximum out of your workouts. In fact, a study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications2 indicates that, when people completed an additional kilometre during a run, their friends were typically influenced to run a further 0.3km.
Following on from this, squeezing more out of your workouts can be made safer by having a partner to spot you when going for those extra reps and pushing yourself.
Above all, working out with a partner can make the whole experience more fun. That time you would usually lose exercising on your own can be quality time you spend together away from the stresses of your daily life.
It’s also a lot easier to form a habit out of something you enjoy doing. You can set each other weekly challenges and do competitions, which can all work towards helping you to achieve your fitness goals in 2021.
It’s not just the exercise that benefits.
A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that, after couples jointly participated in an exciting physical challenge or activity, like exercise, couples reported feeling more satisfied with their relationships and more in love with their partner3.
Decathlon’s survey of 7,600 UK adults in 2019, published in Decathlon Activity Index, strongly supports these results4. 66% said that working out with their partner has improved their relationship. 51% of those surveyed said that exercising with their partner has had a positive impact on their relationship.
Lastly in this study, more than one in five (21%) said working out together made them feel more attracted to their partner.
It seems, then, that there is a strong case for romance and exercise being a perfect match.
Have you started working out with your partner since the start of the pandemic, or has this article encouraged you to start? Let us know via info@fitpro.com
Where to next? find out if endurance sports going to be the next big craze?
References
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161004081548.htm?_gl=1*1jqyjpm*_ga*NDc0MTIzMjg2LjE2MTIxOTM3MjQ.*_ga_2W48G2ESD1*MTYxMjM1NDI3Mi4xLjEuMTYxMjM1NDMwNS4w, accessed on 03 February 2021.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14753?utm_source=commission_junction&utm_medium=affiliate, accessed on 03 February 2021.
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elaine_Aron/publication/12609069_Couples’_shared_participation_in_novel_and_arousing_activities_and_experienced_relationship_quality/links/5577bd0f08aeacff20004ef3.pdf, accessed on 03 February 2021.
- https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/21/working-partner-key-happier-relationship-12277017/, accessed on 03 February 2021.
