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If we had a dollar for every time we went to the gym with our sweetie, well… we wouldn’t have a lot of dollars. But hey, that’s okay! The good news is that there are plenty of fun ways to break a sweat with your partner without a boring trip to the treadmill as a duo. Even better: Working out with friends or someone you love will leave you feeling more connected, stronger and healthier than ever. Just don’t forget to throw on your new wearable tech for a little friendly competition.
Have a Backyard Race
Sometimes it’s fun to relive the playful joy of childhood. And who better to do that with than your adult partner in crime? “When outside for a barbeque or dinner on the patio, take a break in between courses and engage in a wheelbarrow race! You and your partner can take turns, which will strengthen your upper body in a fun and creative way,” suggests Martin Hinton, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Fitness at TruFusion in Las Vegas.
Have a Netflix Stretch Session
Get ready to fire up the best of January 2016 on Netflix. “Stretching is just as important to your fitness routine as strength and cardio. When at home watching Netflix with your partner, take turns helping your partner stretch. You can sit in front of your couch in a forward fold and have your partner on the couch press their feet into your shoulders to help you get deeper into the pose,” offers Liz Cuttica, instructor at Studio Three/Peloton in Chicago. “Hold the position for 12-15 seconds while focusing on your breath, then switch.” Or try this: “While sitting on the couch watching TV, you and your partner can turn toward one another and stretch your legs straight out so you are feet-to-feet on the couch. Grab each other’s arms, bend at the waist and stretch each other forward. You can get a killer hamstring stretch while catching up on The Bachelor!” says Hinton.
Build a Snowman
So it might have been pushing 70 on the east coast during Christmas, but when and if that winter wonderland weather finally sinks in, make like Taylor Swift + Calvin Harris, grab your boo and get packin’. Snow, that is. “Lift snow together, pack it into a snowman and get creative! Warning: It may move into a snowball fight, so may the fastest runner win!” exclaims Smiley.
Torch Calories While Cooking
“While cooking dinner at the stove or chopping vegetables at the counter, you and your partner can be doing calf raises too,” offers Hinton. “Want to kick things up a notch? Take turns doing sets of squats while one person is stirring. Switch off after sets of ten. Hopefully when the meal is done, your legs will be burning (and not the food!)” he adds. Need some healthy meal inspiration? Look no further than our favorite healthy Instagrammers.
