Why It Pays to Sweat with your Sweetheart
We all know that exercise is good for you, but did you know that it can actually improve your relationship? Working out with a sweetheart has more benefits than you may realize. By becoming your honey’s swolemate, you will find a renewed emotional bond, attractiveness and confidence.
When my husband and I started dating, he asked me to go with him to the gym to “spot” him. Spot?! What does that even mean? Although today I am a personal trainer, back then my workout experience was limited to phys. ed in high school and a yoga class that I went to once and hated. Danny, however, was a gym regular and I was very intimidated at the idea of trying to appear like I knew anything about working out. He obviously worked heavier weights, focused on different muscles, and I was more of a cardio girl back in those days. I actually didn’t like weight lifting, but I went along because it was our time together.
I noticed that there was something different about doing a physical activity together as compared to sitting watching a movie.
Although any friend or loved one can be your swolemate, there is a double benefit if it is your significant other. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- We have all heard that exercise releases a flood of feel-good hormones, but did you know that your brain forms a pathway that connects those feel-good hormones with the environment or people that you are with? If you were grumpy with each other earlier in the day, doing something physical together can erase the memory of that offense. In addition, the feel-good hormones stay in the bloodstream for hours after the workout to lower your stress threshold so you can stay calm in future situations.
- Exercising with your honey will automatically increase your effort and ability to do the activity, thus helping you get a more productive workout. This phenomenon is because we are electrical beings and our frequency, heartbeat and energy subconsciously move to match your partners’ — you become in sync with each other. It is like your bodies are tuning into the same radio channel.
- By working out together once or twice a week or taking a daily walk, you create an emotional and physical bond that goes well beyond how you look or feel on the outside. For many, being your honey’s swolemate just may be the glue that grows into a long-lasting, healthy relationship.
Not only do Danny and I work out together regularly, we teach couples and families how to stay fit together with a program we created call the Yoke Training System. Over the years, Danny and I have tried swing dancing, evening walks, traditional gym workouts and even yoga classes (yes, I went back!). We may not always like the same activity, but we give it a try until we find something we enjoy and fits into our current life’s agenda. The greatest thing you can do is stop worrying about weight loss and waistline and just have fun with your special swolemate.
Article by Denise Locsin. She and husband Danny Locsin are fitness experts that specialize in relationship and family exercise. They are the creators of the Yokebar, which has been described as the ultimate family exercise program.
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.