As the saying goes, “Couples who sweat together, stay together.” Setting a workout date with someone helps maintain motivation and can even help you burn more calories—something many fitness fanatics crave.
Recent research has shown that working out with a “special someone” leads not only to greater physical fitness, but a stronger relationship.
“When a couple works out together, the actual exercise itself can physically and emotionally have a positive impact,” marriage and relationship psychotherapist Dr. Jane Greer told Huffington Post. “Both partners come away with feelings of synchronicity, cooperative spirit, and shared passion.”
More and more couples are getting fit together, motivated by a unanimous desire to get healthy in unison. Perhaps the greatest motivational factor for couples working out is an upcoming wedding. According to Fitness Magazine, of the 2.3 million American weddings every year, 80 percent of the brides and more than half of the wedding party will take steps to change their eating or exercise habits for the big day. The one thing constantly on their minds: how they will look on the big day to the soon-to-be love of their lives.
This past week, in honor of The Wedding Issue and upcoming Valentine’s Day, the Sun spoke with local trainer Micaela Buchanan. With a range of personal training experience, Buchanan offered some valuable tips for couples who want to make their joint workouts a successful and fun endeavor.
Buchanan, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, has been a personal trainer for three years. In addition to her traditional training and nutrition services, she also offers couples’ training and a Wedding Party Boot Camp. Buchanan got into training largely because she likes to help people.
“I love watching people change into who they want to be and reach their goals. I watch them change emotionally and physically,” Buchanan said.
Training clients from ages 13 to 63 years old, Buchanan’s fitness philosophy is simple.
“You have to be able to live with [the regimen],” Buchanan said. “And I never want clients to walk away feeling defeated—I want them to feel empowered.”
While her training is centered on a more family-style network, the trainer has also worked with numerous couples looking to get fit together. With this in mind, Buchanan said there are things to remember and things to avoid before starting a routine together.
“I have trained couples in the past, and it doesn’t always work out. The men tend not to be as consistent,” she said.
Before getting into it, she said it’s important that both members of the couple realize there will be differences in strength, endurance, and the speed of weight loss.
“Generally, men see results faster and the maintenance isn’t as strenuous, where as women have to work more consistently, and we are fighting nature,” Buchanan said.
But Buchanan said perhaps the most important aspect of working out together is that both parties have to remain absolutely committed.
“The biggest thing that makes it fail is when one is more committed than the other,” she said.
The trainer said the couples also have to take into consideration the time commitment, especially if they are preparing for an upcoming wedding.
“I would recommend that you start working out at least three months prior to your wedding. If you really put your mind to it, you will see results,” Buchanan said. “Couples also need to look at their schedules and make sure they have time where both parties are available.”
Buchanan was also quick to point out that there will be inherent differences in what activities couples like to do together—a woman may want to try Zumba, while the man wants to try spin class.
“There will be two different likes and two different goals,” she said. “So couples have to be open to trying new things together and find things they like in common so they both feel successful.”
The other aspect of training together is keeping each other loyal to goals and also sticking to diet changes. If these things can be hashed out, couples are sure to reap the benefits of working out together—benefits that go beyond the physical.
Jillian Cota, who has worked with Buchanan for more than a year, remembers training with her husband Kevin before their wedding.
“One of our dates before we were married was going to the gym together and working out. We were both pushing ourselves,” Cota said.
The elementary school teacher said both people have to want it, and they have to know how the competition aspect will affect their joint workouts. Cota and her husband continue to work out together, which creates a healthy vibe in their relationship.
“Working out with your spouse sets a tone within your home that both partners are on the same page and working towards the same goal,” she said. “Plus, you develop an increased sense of attraction watching your loved one improve themselves. It’s exciting.”
Buchanan said working out as a couple is about the idea of a shared experience—fighting the fight together.
“There is a bond that develops, and having someone to share in the experience brings unity,” Buchanan said. “But no matter how much fun you make it, both parties have to be committed.”
Staff writer Kristina Sewell likes to get her sweat on. Contact her at ksewell@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Feb 13-20, 2014.