Sharing Healthy Hearts - Partner Training WITH Your Significant Other
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 8:36AM by Allyn Amelia Blind, M.S., NASM - CPT
It's that special day of the year again where Hallmark, FTD, Kay Jewelers, your local drug store and of course the big chains shower us with a mess Valentine's Day options to disperse amongst our friends, family and significant other. Yes, commercialism at it's finest, but most of us find it worth the time and effort to show the ones we care that we thought enough to let them know on this one day. Obviously, it's important to show those close to us that we care each and everyday through caring and compassion, but let's grab this day by the horns! Yes, let's focus on the HEART of the matter... it's a great day to think about your (and your partner's) HEART HEALTH!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and the fourth leading cause of death in the world. While there are certain factors that play into this, we also have the choice to control our heart's DESTINY! Just 30 minutes of exercise or activity per day can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease. Add healthy nutrition and you are doing your part to a long and full life. What better day to start thinking more seriously about not only your heart health, but your partner's. Training with a partner greatly increases the chance of maintaining a good exercise program and best of all, keeping it fun! Some great benefits of training with a partner include:
Accountability - If you have scheduled training sessions with your partner, you are far more likely to keep them. There is a form of excitement knowing that they are waiting for you on that cold winter morning and added incentive to get to the gym, track, or trail. Also, you are far less likely to let them down!
Motivation - Training along side your partner can be a great source of motivation. Not only in that moment, pushing each other to work hard, but also day to day - week to week - month to month. There is a great deal of motivation in wanting to feel and look your best for each other, especially if you are working towards a common goal (romantic vacation) together.
Safety - There is always safety in numbers. If your training session takes you into the gym, you have a built in spotter for resistance training - your partner! If you are hitting the streets or the trail, it's always a great idea to have an extra set of eyes and a helping hand if the need arises - your partner!
Competition - Whether you are the competitive type or note, working out with your partner can add some extra spice to the training session. Each of us holds certain qualities of wanting success - small battles of competition can be healthy for a couple in the gym. Besides, it makes things more interesting and fun moving exercise to exercise with a bit of a 'fire in the belly'.
There are numerous benefits to training with a partner, and many of you have one right by your side. Take advantage of the opportunity and get moving together! Plan to incorporate movement with your partner into your Valentine's Day! This doesn't have to mean gym time; there are countless other activites to get involved with such as:
- Ice skating
- Take an exercise class together at a new studio or gym
- Try a new type of exercise together; Yoga or Pilates
- Take dancing lessons or go dancing
- Take a walk along a local river, lake or the ocean
- Bike ride together along a scenic trail
- Go for a walk before or after your Valentine's dinner
What will you decide to do with your partner today? Include some movement and improve you and your partner's heart HEALTH and HAPPINESS!
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