Valentine’s Day is here, and why not spend more quality time with your sweetie and work out together?! I’m sharing how I enjoy an occasional workout with my husband and fun workout for y’all to try!

When I can get my husband to the gym (he’s a resident at Wake Forest Baptist Health, so his days off are few and far between), we do enjoy doing our workout together. When Austin and I first met, we would try to work out together, but it would end up with one of us being frustrated. I’ve learned over the past several years some tips and tricks to make the most of your partner workout!

1. Come up with a plan together. Austin and I talk about what workouts we are going to do prior to getting to the gym. This way, once we are there, it’s “go time” and let’s get it done.
2. Working out together doesn’t necessarily mean doing the same thing. Let’s face it, I don’t want to bicep curl 30 pounds like Austin. Even working out side-by-side has the same benefits as doing everything together. Sometimes, Austin will do a bicep set and I will do shoulders, biceps and triceps right beside him. It’s fun to see each other work hard and break a sweat!
3. If you feel up to it, try something a little harder. When your partner is with you at the gym, try a move that may be too hard for you when alone. Now is the time to ask for help and lean on your sweetie! He/she can help with your form and spot you if the weight gets to be too much.
4. Alternate the sets. If you are using machines, alternate sets with each other. For example, Austin will do the leg press machine for 20 reps, while I do some free weights right beside him. This way, I can encourage him and make the most of my time.
5. Help each other stretch at the end. My favorite part of working out with Austin is when he helps me stretch at the end of the workout. Your partner can do the same! It’s fun to sit and stretch and feel the accomplishment of the work you just put in.

Quick and Easy At-Home Valentine’s Day Workout:

(Equipment Needed: Dumbbells)

1. Warm up for 3-5 minutes by jogging in place, doing jumping jacks or step touches.
2. Pushups – make sure you face each other. Do 3 sets of 20.
3. Plank Claps – face each other in a plank position and alternate high fives. Make sure to keep your hips down. Do 3 sets of 20.
4. Wall Sits – sit beside each other on the wall during the wall sits. Do 3 1-minute sets.
5. Lunges with Weight Passes – Lunge with a heavy dumbbell in your hands and then pass it over to your partner. Keep the passing going. Do 3 1-minute sets.
6. Sit Ups with Weight Passes – Do a normal sit up with a heavy dumbbell on your chest and pass it over to your partner. Keep the passing going. Do 3 sets of 20.
7. You can repeat these moves, but make sure to include a cardio burst in between!