If you do everything with your partner, then why stop at working out? Exercising with your partner can actually be more motivational than doing it by yourself. You’ll find you encourage each other more, giving you some extra bonding time too.
So, here are 3 of the best workouts to try with a partner:
1. HIIT Training:
You may have heard of HIIT training before. It’s the kind of intense workout that personal trainers go crazy for, and if you ever plan to become a personal trainer, you’re likely to be an advocate for it too. HIIT training is a workout routine based on quick bursts of times exercise followed by short breaks to catch your breath before you start again. Because this type of workout is particularly demanding, sometime it can be a little more manageable when you have a partner there to cheer you on.
Some of the most popular HIIT training moves with a partner include:
Seated Twist:
Sitting back to back with your partner, put your feet in front of you shoulder width apart with your knees bent slightly. Then, pick up a weight of your choice and twist either side, handing your partner the weight as you twist. Go back and forth like this with your abdominals engaged.
Burpees:
Stand face to face with your partner. One of you does burpees while the other rests, and then alternate each time.
Throwbacks:
Lay on the floor while your partner stands facing you. Hold their ankles and keep your legs together. Raise your legs until they reach a 90-degree angle, then come back down. Switch places after 45 seconds.
2. Pilates:
Pilates is a more relaxed way of getting fit, many people also enjoy Pilates for its calming and therapeutic movements. Where HIIT training can be geared more towards cardio, Pilates can help with building muscle. It’s a great workout routine after work or at the weekends when you can’t quite bring yourself to get down to the gym.
Some classic Pilate’s moves with a partner are:
Swan:
Lay down on your stomach, facing one another head to head. Then, bend your arms until your palms are pressed into each other’s. Keep the pressure on your partner’s palms as you both lift your head and chest. Hold for a few seconds and lower. Repeat this around 8 – 10 times.
Standing Push Ups:
Stand back to back with a small space in-between each other. Reach up and then lean forwards so your hands touch the ground. Walk out into a plank position. Hold for a few seconds and walk your hands back up. Repeat this 3 – 5 times.
Side Plank:
Go back to back with your partner and press up into a side plank. Hold a weight or yoga block in your hand and twist your arm back towards the ground, passing the weight under your body to your partner. Go back and forth for around 8 – 10 times.
3. Squats, Dips and Lunges:
If you’re looking for more of a freestyle workout, then try a few key exercise positions that are fun to do as a couple. The great thing about these is that you can do them at home as well as at the gym, so there are no excuses! Here are three popular exercises:
Jump Squats:
Squats with a twist. Turn to face your partner and jump 180 degrees, squatting as you land. Then go back around, touching hands with your partner each time. Do 10 on each side.
Side Seat:
Stand side to side while holding hands, balancing on one another. Stand on one leg and lift and lower the other. Do 30 seconds and then swap legs.
Push-Up High Five:
Get side to side in the classic push up position. Each time you come up, high five one another with opposite hands. Repeat for 10 reps then swap.
