Finding love in fitness (literally)

For those of you who don't know, Jake and I were perfect strangers until we met....at the gym, doing what we truly love. Since being with Jake my eyes have been opened to what it's like to work out with your partner. I encourage each and every one of you to incorporate fitness in with your love life. I am not saying every workout needs to be done together, but every once in a while it is nice and healthy. Since being with Jake, he has pushed me harder than I ever would push myself in the weight room. He challenges me and is always there to help me when I need it. For example with squats lately- he stands behind me when I go over 135lbs.  On the other hand, I would say I have pushed him in the running world more than he would himself. We balance each other out really well when it comes to fitness. It is truly rewarding to see your significant other working hard and getting results. The options are endless when it comes to couples working out together.


1) Do your warm up together at the gym. For Jake and I we will often go to the gym together, warm up next to each other on the bike or treadmill and then part ways. This works well if you are both pretty confident in your own workouts.


Notice that Jake loves a good stair master warm up and me taking a picture of it? 

2) Partner abs. This is my favorite workout to do with Jake because it challenges me. After we do our own workouts we usually meet back up and stretch/ do abs. We take turns throwing each other's feet to get an all over ab workout. We shoot for 3 sets of 20 each. Here is a video of Jake throwing my legs- sorry it is dark!

 


3) Circuts. You can do this at home, the gym, outside, on vacation...anywhere! Pick  3-4 different workouts and do a circuit. An example of one Jake and I do is jump lunges-sit-ups-jump rope- and air squats. Put some music on and push each other! 





4)If you really want to see a different side of them, sign up for a race with your other half! There are so many different distances and races. You can sign up and then train together or separate and then do the race together or seperate. Either way you are BOTH accomplishing something awesome! Jake doesn't  love races like I do but he sure has done a lot of them with me! We just signed up for the Mini Marathon in May. I love this event not only because it is a great race but because my parents participate too! This will be my 10th year and my 3rd year with Jake doing it too! We usually do our long training runs together on the weekends and everything else on our own. 2 years ago we got 1:52 so we are shooting to beat that in 2015. 


5) One final thing you can do with your significant other is go to a class! If you are a member of a gym go to a spinning or kick boxing class together. Nothing better than having your sweaty hubby next to you working hard and getting a great workout in. 

If you just hate working out- try to spend more time with your partner. Life
is so busy these days and sometimes we just go through the motions. 

Have a great week! Stay tuned for pictures of our new home gym (still in progress) and 2015 goals!


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