If you’re a Peep Show fan, you’ll know that Mark uses a gym to escape both his partner and talk of their upcoming nuptials. But, far from being, a safe-haven away from the Mrs, experts believe that exercising together can help strengthen the relationship bond.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we take a look at how sharing the gym experience with a partner can actually turn an ordinary workout into a fun couple’s activity, making it more enjoyable.

Having a workout buddy can significantly increase your motivation and knowing that someone is counting on you to show up can be a powerful incentive to stick to your fitness routine.

“Partnerships thrive on accountability, so when you commit to working out together, you’re more likely to stay consistent and achieve your fitness goals,” says Will Broome from GymEquipment.co.uk. “It’s harder to hit the snooze button when your partner is waiting for you at the gym or park.”

It’s even a good idea to embrace a little friendly competition as it can push you to work even harder. Whether it’s a running race or a weightlifting challenge, having a partner to compete with can make your workouts more engaging.

Couple exercising together in competition
It’s even a good idea to embrace a bit of friendly competition

But fitness isn’t just about pushing your body to the limit — you also need to do it properly in order to get the most out of it, as well as to prevent burnout and pain that could delay your fitness journey. Fortunately, another perk of having a workout buddy is built-in form checks.

Your partner can provide feedback and make sure you’re performing exercises correctly, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring maximum effectiveness.

“Working out as a couple can really strengthen your bond because you are moving your body,” says professional relationship coach Gemma Nice. “This releases endorphins and serotonin, the calming and happy hormones, which in turn can make you feel closer to each other.

“It allows you to form bonds which may have been lost due to miscommunication or tension, and this will lead to increased happiness within the relationship. It creates nonverbal matching which means you are more in tune with each other.”

Gemma says when couples are motivating each other to stay on track, it allows you to feel closer and have more intimacy within the relationship.

“You may also have more fun together which, if you are struggling with this element within the relationship, can restore it,” she says. “If one or both of you suffer with your mental health, exercise is a great way to overcome these thoughts and feelings.”

How does exercising together compare to other couples’ activities?

“A couples’ workout compares to other activities differently because you both are emotionally invested in each other, and when you work out together, that bond becomes stronger,” says Gemma.

“You can be competitive and push each other to your limits when exercising together. This forms a better trust bond and allows each of you to feel fully connected within the relationship.”

How do you solve conflicts that might crop up when exercising together as a couple?

“This comes up quite a bit with my clients,” says Gemma. “One who is slightly fitter wants to push the other through and past their comfort zone, which is great, but the other has resistance against that because they might feel they can’t do it. This can cause arguments between the two.”

She says communication is key here and each person should be open and honest and say how they feel. “If one partner wants to work out more than the other, again communication is key because you need to let each other have your own space and time away from the relationship,” she reveals.

Find love in the gym
Compromise is the key to a healthy couple’s workout

“It might be that one person wants to do yoga and the other wants to have a gym session. This is good, as you are setting boundaries with each other and allowing each other to do your own thing. It gives you other things to talk about within the relationship.”

“Working out together can have a variety of benefits for your fitness goals,” says Will. “Whether it’s motivating each other or checking form, you can ensure your workout is as effective as possible when you exercise with a partner — plus have fun while you’re doing it!”

Gemma says the key thing to exercising together is to have fun. “Always have fun and when you don’t, come back to communication. You both will start to notice changes within you mentally and physically.

“You will find the bond becomes stronger between the two of you, allowing you to feel calmer and more relaxed around each other.”