Date Night Ideas: A Workout You Can Do Together

I appreciate a swanky night on the town as much as anyone — maybe more than most, actually — but after over 10 years of marriage, my husband, Jared, and I have learned that not every special night out has to come with cocktails and a romantic dinner at a restaurant. Sometimes, joining one another for an everyday activity can make it a little extra special. And, if you’re both into living a healthy lifestyle, hitting the gym for a workout can actually be a really cool date night idea.

Now, as I say this, I feel the need to point out that, for years, Jared and I did not work out together. Like, ever. Even if we went to the gym together, we would split up for an hour and meet up when we were done. But, in the last few years, that’s changed. We run together, we sometimes do workout DVDs together, and I can’t wait to try this idea with him!

Date Night Ideas: Time’s Up Workout

The beauty of this idea is that you can alter it in any way you like. Swap out some of these moves for something else you’d prefer, or, if you’re at different fitness levels, you can always use different weights or set different reps for yourselves to make it a bit more “even.” The point isn’t for you to work yourself way beyond your comfort level — it’s more about spending time together, enjoying a bit of competition, and, ultimately, encouraging one another to do your best.

Also? You don’t need a romantic partner to do this — it’s just as much fun with a bestie or workout pal!

Warm Up: Hit the rowing machine or treadmill for 5 minutes. Start out easy and build speed until your heart rate has risen — you should still be able to talk easily, but your breathing should be a little faster.

Round 1: 10 burpees — you go first and use the stopwatch on your phone to time yourself. When you’re done, stop the stopwatch and have your partner go, timing him- or herself. Then, you do the same with 20 push-ups, 30 squats, 20 V-ups, 10 lunges (left and right = 1).

Round 2: Both of you get into plank position for two minutes. Keep track of how many times you need to touch down for a break. Go to your knees if you need to!

Round 3: Using the same timing system as Round 1, do 20 mountain climbers, 30 crunches, 40 front kicks, 30 transverse jacks, 20 side lunges (left and right = 1).

Round 4: Grab a medicine ball and sit back to back with your partner, passing the ball around your bodies as you do partner mason twists, 10 one way and then 10 the other. Then, you stand while your partner sits on the floor to do partner-assisted sit-ups — toss the ball down to him, he does a crunch, then tosses it back to you. Repeat 20 times, then switch.

Round 5: Stretch together! You know how you often rush through this part so you can get home to your sweetie? You’re already together, so take your time to stretch out those tired muscles, and take advantage of having a partner there to do some stretches you can’t necessarily do on your own!

Do you and your significant other or BFF work out together? What do you like to do best? And what other fun active date night ideas do you have? —Kristen