Relationship Boosters That Work

At The Pilates Center Fort Worth, we train people from ALL walks of life- men AND women! Many of you have brought a friend or significant other along, and more and more research is showing the huge benefits of working out as a couple. Whether you sign up together to a group class, or schedule a duet session, research shows that working out as a couple improves not only your physical health but the health of your relationship as well, and just in time for upcoming Valentines Day!

1. Increases happiness and attraction within the relationship: A study from the State University of New York StonyBrook found that when couples participated in an exciting physical challenge or activity, they reported feeling more satisfied and more in love with their partner. Getting up and moving together puts the body in a state of physiological arousal, which drives romantic attraction.

1. Increases fitness performance: Research consistently shows that working out with another person--particularly a romantic partner--- will make you perform better than if you were working out alone. This might be because people push themselves harder when someone is watching, or because people are more motivated when their partner is there. Regardless, working out as a couple helps both of you!

1. Increases each other’s long term health: A 2015 study from the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine found that when one romantic partner made a health-related change for the better, the other was likely to follow suit, and that if both partners were committed to exercising regularly and being involved in each other’s health journeys, the odds were higher that both partners would stuck to their fitness programs.

1. Deepens your bond: A really interesting study out of the British Psychological Society found that performing the same workout as your partner may increase bonding at a subconscious level, simply by completing the same movements. The idea is predicated on “bonding mimicry” which is a fancy way of saying that a way that humans imitate each other’s body language when they’re trying to make others feel comfortable. In the study, when the same movements were performed by both partners during a workout, the bond that mimicry creates was intensified between the couple.

1. Helps you enjoy exercise more: Some days you may feel like just staying curled up on the couch rather than heading to the studio for class. Grab your partner and head out! Studies have shown that when workouts were done with a spouse or partner, participants reported having more fun and being happier than when they worked out alone.

1. Increases quality time together: Let’s face it, there are only so many hours in the day. The speed and chaos of everyday life can make it hard to carve out alone time with your spouse or partner. If you both already have exercise time built into days, why not use that time together? More quality time in your relationship builds intimacy, opens communication, and strengthens your bond.

1. Improves your sex life: Last but certainly not least, regular workouts can do wonders for your sex life. A study out of the University of California found that for men, regular exercise significantly enhanced the frequency of intimate activities and the reliability of adequate functioning during sex. Similarly for women, a University of Texas study found that workouts increased sex drive significantly, likely stemming from an increase in overall energy.

Looking to enhance your relationship outside of the studio as well? Massage with essential oils can promote bonding and a better mood in your relationship, and Young Living has THE best line of massage oils. I love to use the Relaxation Blend, which is a soothing and mood-easing blend of Lavender, Tangerine, Coriander, and Spearmint. If you’re looking for something more on the romantic and playful side, I love YL’s Sensation Massage Oil, which blends Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, and Geranium to add playfulness to your one on one time.  Couple a bottle of this massage oil with a few duet Pilates sessions, and your Valentine is sure to feel the love.