There are lots of fun things to do as a couple. Go to a movie, out to dinner, and even watch a sporting event together. However, many couples do not enjoy working out together. It could be as simple as tweaking the workout to make it work for the both of you.
Strength training as a couple is not an easy thing to do. Doing an aerobics class, kayaking, biking, etc together works out very well for one reason: the differences are not as evident. When you hit the free weights and the hubby has 225 pounds on the bar and the Mrs. is pushing 95 pounds, there is a psychological impact present.
To avoid this and still get a great workout together, there are two options that come to mind. The first is an isometric fitness routine like P90X or CrossFit. They allow for a great strengthening workout while maintaining your own pace.
The other routine is to hit the machines. When using weight machines with cables and plates it is not as obvious if one person is lifting more or less than the other. All you have to do is simply move the pin and no one is the wiser.
Another tip is to plan the couple fitness day as a whole body workout day. Men typically do not do this enough. Men like to focus on one body part for an entire workout. I have spent two hours doing just chest before and that is not the typical workout for women.
Instead do some supersets where you are going from one station to the next keeping the heart rate going and building strength. I recommend choosing an upper body push exercise, lower body push exercise, and an up tempo callisthenic as one set. For example do upper body pectoral flies, lower body hamstring curls, and burpees for the callisthenic. Then do two more sets with different push exercises.
The next time you go to the gym together do pull exercises in sets.
It is fun to do this together and it is even more fun if you set a common goal. For example 20 push workouts and 20 pull workouts before swimsuit season. This will give you motivation to get to the gym and push each other.
Couples can have a great time together while getting into shape. The trick is to find the routine that works best for both of you.
