Five reasons why it's good to keep fit with your partner

With our busy modern lifestyles it’s often quite a challenge to juggle work commitments, friends, staying fit, and an Other Half. One useful 'life hack' that I've encountered as a personal trainer is to combine two of those pillars of life. Keeping fit with your partner probably doesn't sound like the most romantic pursuit, but you'd be surprised how rewarding it can be – both in the gym, and in the bedroom.

If you're going to head down this path, it's important you both understand just why it will help your day-to-day life.

Five reasons immediately spring to mind.

1. Alignment

Setting similar goals as a couple sends a signal that you are heading in the same direction. It's a positive step that represents a shared commitment to a long and healthy life with each other. Affirming to your partner that you intend to look after your health as the relationship progresses is also an attractive position to adopt, which should help enhance intimacy in the relationship.

2. Accountability

You think cancelling on a personal trainer is tough? Try leaving your better half in the lurch on workout day! Just knowing that you are counting on each other to turn up will keep you on track with your training – and that's before you factor in the added support and motivation that comes with working out together.

Sure, they'll probably be times when you resent each other for the pressure, but that animosity will only be temporary. Success in the gym is partly down to the ability to get through a session, so you'll be thankful for the help come the end of the day.

3. Time saving

Working out is time consuming, and it can put you on a different rhythm to your partner. By syncing your exercise efforts, you'll both want to eat and to sleep at roughly the same time. It also means there's no waiting around for each other to get home in the evening. The result is a net gain in the amount of time you can spend being intimate.

4. Better home logistics

By now you should know that healthy eating is a massive part of attaining fitness goals. Eating healthily is easier said than done – especially if you have a partner at home who eats poorly. Shopping with the same goals in mind means fridges and cupboards become stocked with nutritious food. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference that makes to your progress.

5. Spice up your love life

Getting results in the gym not only makes you look better, it also gives you a lot more confidence, energy and self esteem – not to mention an increased libido. Combine this with all the extra quality time you'll spend together and ... need I say more?

Top five tips for integrating romance and fitness

Now that you've persuaded your partner (and yourself) that working out is a good idea, you need to approach your shared challenge in a structured fashion. Here's five tips to help you do just that:

1. Set rewards

Like with any kind of goal setting, establishing rewards for completion is a massive motivator. Setting rewards with your partner can be a great way to make exercise fun. Why not agree to go for a weekend away or a fancy night out to celebrate achieving your goals?

2. Chose active holidays

Once you’ve decided you're going to exercise together, why not make your next holiday choice an active one? Great options are coastal walks and bike rides – or you may want to try something more extreme, like joining an overseas martial arts camp or travelling to compete in a sports event.

3. Have a healthy recipe day

A great way to spend some time together whilst integrating a healthy lifestyle is to make one night a week a healthy dinner day, in which you cook a nutritious meal together. It’s a really fun way to cook together (which can be an aphrodisiac in itself). My favourite is an alkaline salad!

4. Indulgent cheat days

Now, I’m going off the record with this one, but after all that hard work in the gym why not have a day where you let your hair down, indulge in all your favourite vices together?

5. Outdoor dates

Walks around the park, taking the dog out and cycling make for great ways to talk, create intimacy and grow closer. They tend to burn more calories than typical date venues too, so it's a win-win.