It can be hard to convince yourself to work out, but having a partner to instil a dose of motivation can go a long way. Bollywood is inundated with celebrity couples who are using their partnerships to achieve their fitness goals. From Sushmita Sen with her beau Rohman Shawl to Milind Soman and his wife Ankita Konwar, star couples are not shying away from running marathons or doing plunges together. Rupesh Chowdhury, trainer at Recomp Fitness, Pune, says, “Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than sweating it out with your significant other because you’re spending time with your favourite person and you are taking care of your body. Studies (such as one by University of Oxford) have shown that working out with
a partner increases exercise frequency. It’s not just that your partner can help you get rid of boredom during a workout, it’s also about sharing your workout goals, and holding each other accountable.”
Every day, across the country, individuals are hitting gyms, unrolling yoga mats, pounding across the pavement, and signing on to new fitness challenges and marathons. “It’s time we considered how physical fitness can benefit not only our health and well-being, but our romantic relationships as well. Grab your partner’s hand and invite him or her to be your workout partner as well. A growing body of evidence suggests that couples who sweat together really do stay together,” says Bengaluru-based relationship counsellor Diya Roy.
Fitness coach Ruchita Misra at Fitness Finesse, Delhi, believes that exercise not only helps release more endorphins but also gives people a shared sense of purpose. “Working out together is not just physiological arousal but sharing a fitness goal such as training for a marathon. Taking regular runs together or doing push-ups at the gym can boost the quality of any relationship.
According to Bollywood celebrity trainer Satyajit Chaurasia, couples not only bond but also achieve their fitness goals faster. “Not just weight loss, working out together has helped couples I train build mass and attain an overall fitness faster. It’s not about being a gym buddy but an overall motivator who will share your achievement.”
Roy further adds, “A long-standing concept in social psychology is that the presence of someone else affects your ability to do an activity. Even if you feel competent doing a particular exercise, bringing your partner is a great way to boost your energy output. Your partner’s presence will improve your speed, without you being aware of their influence. But if you’re beginning to learn to do burpees or the elliptical, it may be better to do it alone, as one might get conscious.”
EAsy HOME Workouts
Wall sits: Sit three feet apart with your backs against the walls. Take turns passing a ball, twisting to each side as you perform ab twists. Do the exercise while squatting.
Push up high fives:After each push-up, try to high five your partner while balancing on one hand. Try to hit as high as possible. This will help strengthen the muscles.
Wheel barrow squats: This helps in working on arms and core. One can lie in plank position on the ground and while the partner can help suspend the first one’s ankles. Jump squats: While facing opposite directions, sink into a low squat and jump up. While jumping, put both arms up and high-five with both arms. Repeat and switch sides.