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fitvillains:

As much as I hate to admit it, I agree 100% with this list. Many, MANY problems can arise from working out with your partner, even if you don’t notice them. Same goes for friends & family.

For starters, fitness is a progression - we get better at certain things with time and effort. It’s rare (not impossible, but rare) to find someone who’s your perfect match fitness wise, and who will progress at the same pace. We’re all different, and when it comes to men and women, we progress in different areas at different rates. One partner may feel frustrated watching the other become better than them, while the other partner may feel frustrated that they feel held ‘back’. These resentments can manifest in all kinds of different ways, so be sure to ask yourself if you or your partner might be better off finding new people to challenge you.

Another potential problem is finding workouts YOU love. Like I said, we’re all different, and trying new things is the key to staying motivated. One partner might have found their soulmate workout, while the other is merely participating to be with their significant other. They may not have the opportunity to explore types of fitness that they might love: it’s may be harder to drag your boyfriend to Zumba and drag your girlfriend to crossfit. Make sure at least some of your workouts are solo so you can explore other workouts.

And the biggest problem of all? Losing that ‘me’ time. Time to reflect, vent, be alone, work through stress etc. With busy schedules, it’s hard to find that time, and many people only get it when they’re working out. The best relationships are built on people who take care of themselves first.

Of course, there are a few exceptions, and many (MANY) couples enjoy their fitness together. Working out together may be a good idea if…

1. If you’re both at the same fitness levels & enjoy the same workouts.
2. If you’re participating in workouts where you can each go your own pace: spinning, crossfit, yoga etc. If the mood is non-competitive, and your attention is focused on YOU, then you might be good to go.
3. If your workout is leisure related. Think romantic hikes (if you both can keep up), sports for fun (a friendly game of frisbee or football) and even runs if you’re both at the same level.
4. If you’re both trying something new. Though you might want to discuss what would happen should one of you hate it. (If you hate the workout, don’t take it out on your partner - they may fall in love with it and you should allow them to do so).

This is a great list to consider when choosing ALL workout buddies. While working out with friends & lovers may initially serve as motivation (and is recommended if you need it), things can get sticky really fast. Make sure that the fitness relationships you engage in are consistent with your goals, and be wary for signs that it’s starting to become counter productive. If you’re the stronger of the two, and find yourself holding back, discuss it with your partner and either start working solo, or find alternate workouts that challenge you both. If you’re the weaker of the two, allow your partner to continue and think about exploring other types of fitness/workouts with people at your level. It doesn’t have to be awkward: be honest, be realistic, and stay goal oriented. You can meet up after your individual workouts, or plan alternate outdoor dates to stay active together.

When choosing workout buddies (or looking for new ones), try to stick to people who are around your level, who inspire you to push yourself, and who are self-motivated; you don’t want to feel bad if you’re progressing faster and/or if they are.

Read the article above for other reasons why you might want to reconsider your workout relationship!

Totally agree!