Couples Who Train Together Stay Together: Truth or Myth?

You see the phrase everywhere that couples who do certain things together will stay together longer. Maybe it’s playing video games, praying, watching television shows together, or some other activity. One of the more ubiquitous uses of this phrase is found in exercise and fitness circles. The idea that couples who train or work out together will be a stronger couple is fairly well known, but how true is it? Let’s look at what the research says.

Science Says It Works

When a couple works out together, be it running, swimming, tennis, or any other exercise, they tend to mimic each other. They sync up in non-obvious ways, and take nonverbal cues from one another. This is known as nonverbal bonding, and a study by researchers Stel and Vonk detailed that this is what occurs when couples exercise together.

Even if the two people have different exercising styles, such as different methods of running, they will start to imitate one another, even if they are not aware of what they are doing. This brings them closer together emotionally, and it allows them to bond in ways that they would not if they were apart, or if they were doing other kinds of activities as a couple. This process is simply a part of natural reactions, and automatic behavior, and it is probably the basis for why we have this concept of couples who work out together being couples who stay together. They are getting to know each other better and are bonding and becoming more alike, even when they may not realize it, and that can help to form a more lasting relationship.

Making It Work

If couples are going to work out together and train as a unit, then they should be doing what they can to minimize the frustrations and problems that could get in the way of making things go smoothly for them. One of those things is simply ensuring they have comfortable clothes and the proper gear.

So, those who are going to be jogging together may want to do the research, and use a site like Jogging Addiction to find the right gear for themselves. Those who are swimming will want to have proper attire that helps them to swim effectively without causing chafing, irritation, or any kind of hindrance to their underwater movement.

This may seem like a basic point to make, but it’s something couples overlook at times, and you want to be doing everything you can to make your time together enjoyable. Think ahead about what you will be wearing, and what gear you will use, and ensure it is quality stuff that won’t cause any issues.

Training Makes You More Attractive

We all know that getting physically fit through training can increase physical attractiveness. This is part of the reason why so many people do work out, but working out as a couple adds another layer to that. When you see your partner work out, that can make you more attracted to them.

Your body produces chemicals when you work out that help to increase attraction. The same chemicals are produced during intercourse, and these chemicals create a closer bond, and increase feelings of attraction and togetherness. You will be growing closer to your partner due to uncontrollable chemical reactions. It is almost like your bodies want you to be together, and a lot of those reactions can be funneled into sexual energy, or can improve sexual interactions.

There is another benefit to working out together that relates to the attraction. Watching your partner work out can cause you to be more attracted to them. You get to see the sweat glistening on their skin, and see them exerting themselves, and it can have sexual connotations to you, or make you more impressed with their physicality. This is true of both men and women.

Watch the Competitiveness

There are some potential issues you need to watch for when you work out with your significant other. The biggest concern you should have is about your competitive spirits getting the best of you. You and your significant other may both be very competitive, and even if only one of you has that drive to always be the winner, that can cause issues. You will need to realize that you both have good and bad days and try to encourage one another instead of being critical or engaging in trash talking. You have to treat your significant other different than you would a competitor, otherwise working out together will become a problem more than something that helps you grow closer.

Conclusion

If you feel like there is a strain occurring within your relationship, then you may want to spice things up with a workout together. You will both benefit in a number of ways, and this can very well strengthen your relationship, and give you a tighter bond.