“Couples who sweat together, stay together”.
If both you and your significant other or spouse are looking to be healthier, or just maintain an active lifestyle, what better way to knock two birds out with one stone than to incorporate something active into your date nights? Exercising can have both a physical and an emotional impact on the two of you . At the end of the workout or date, you’ll feel more cooperative, more in sync with the other, as well as the joy from having a shared passion. Top that off with a hefty dose of endorphins, and you have a recipe for success. Now, if your idea of romantic isn’t running bleachers with your special someone, fear not, below are several ideas that aren’t as grueling and sweat-inducing as that.
Volunteer – Whether it’s a community beautification project, or volunteering with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter, it’s bound to get your physical and emotional heart pumping. Hauling dirt, trees, and wood is no easy feat. This date idea is really a triple threat, since you are also contributing to the greater good of your community.
Indulge in Table Tennis – Ping pong players burn anywhere from 200-350 calories per hour. It’s a quick game that’s gentle on your body, which is great if you have fragile joints. It’s also a great game for double dates and group dates, since you can play doubles against another couple. An added bonus: It helps with your hand-eye coordination, as well as brain development since there’s a lot of strategy and planning involved.
Go Dancing – Whether it’s swing, salsa, or Zumba, break out those moves!
Go Laser Tagging – Laser Tag is the closest thing to play many of us get the older we get! It’s a lot of fun and easily forces you to run, job, and dodge, escalating your heart rate in a way that’s more interactive than jogging on a treadmill. Prices are usually very affordable, and if you can find a group of friends to go with you and your significant better, it’s even better. Go ahead, bring your inner-high schooler back out and burn up to 700 calories in the process.
Sign up for a Race – Be it the Zombie 5K, a half marathon, or for you ambitious couples out there, a full marathon, sign up for a race with your significant other. It’ll force both of you to work together towards a common goal, and the early morning workouts are always a little easier if you have a partner trekking along right there next to you. Come race day, you will help motivate each other, and it’ll strengthen your relationship. There’s also the added bonus of seeing both of your bodies get fitter in the process.
Go Skating – Go ice skating in the winter or roller skating in the summer. This is a f