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Summary
On episode 488 of 40+ Fitness, Coach Allan looks at why almost nobody who answered a Facebook poll actually works out with their partner, and makes the case for training together as one of the most underused tools for building a lasting fitness habit.
He walks through the benefits: built-in accountability, more quality time together, a stronger relationship, even a better sex life, and the way healthy habits tend to spill over into the rest of a couple’s life together.
Allan then gives eight practical tips for making partner workouts actually work, from finding overlapping goals and planning sessions, to being supportive without turning into your partner’s personal trainer, to planning shared adventures that keep both of you motivated.
Links
- https://40plusfitness.com
Key Takeaways
- Working out with your partner builds accountability into your daily life. When your accountability partner is also your spouse, showing up becomes automatic, the same way you would show up to pick them up at the airport.
- Training together counts as quality time, not time stolen from family. Couples who work out together often report the shared time becomes some of their closest, most supportive time together.
- Partner training tends to build a stronger relationship. Being vulnerable and working toward the same goals together deepens the bond, and Allan notes it can also lead to a better sex life.
- Healthy habits spill over into other areas of a couple’s life. Once one partner starts eating better or moving more to support their training, the other habits, like grocery shopping and meal choices, tend to improve too.
- Find the overlap in your goals before you start. Shared goals, like getting stronger or building cardio endurance, are the easiest place to build a partner workout plan around.
- Be supportive, but don’t be their personal trainer unless asked. Allan warns that spouses, especially men, are often the worst at stepping into an unwanted coaching role; support your partner’s stated goals instead of correcting their form uninvited.
- Stay open to new activities and be a good gym citizen. Trying your partner’s preferred class or workout style, and being mindful of shared gym equipment and etiquette, keeps partner training enjoyable for everyone involved.
- Plan real adventures together to stay motivated. A shared goal with a deadline, a hike, a mud run, a race, gives both partners a reason to train consistently and something to look forward to together.
“If I’m going to pick my wife up at the airport at 5 o’clock in the morning, guess where I’m going to be at 5 o’clock in the morning? At the airport.”
Coach Allan Misner
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