Staying Active Together

Many active people are solo gym goers.  They hit the gym or the boardwalk for a long run and put on their iTunes forgetting about their worries and the world around them.  And if you’re one of those gym enthusiasts or individuals that can’t function without having their morning swim/jog or whatever, than this might be fine.  However, there are those among us who could use a little encouragement on this front.  Especially if we are just beginning to get active, then it can certainly help to have a buddy to keep you motivated.

If you are like most people then, and exercise is not a daily part of your life and you would never describe yourself as a fitness enthusiast, then having a workout buddy might be the best thing you can do for your health.  For most of us it can be useful to have someone there to share this activity with and to keep us on the right tract when we get discouraged. 

Having said this, working out with a friend at the gym can have its downsides as well.  With work and possibly family and other obligations it can be difficult to make schedules match.  Moreover, gym exercise can be rather solitary and sometimes while huffing and puffing you have very little time to catch up.  This can on occasion lead to taking it a little easy on the workout in favour of talking with your friend.  While this is great for the soul, it can be less than ideal for you butt.

There are however a variety of ways to stay active that also allow you to spend some quality time with a friend, spouse, or the whole family.  Below are some ideas for couples, friends, or family fitness that can combine quality time with physical activity.

Riding bikes together along a nice path can be a great way to catch up with a friend or with your spouse.  Even at a moderate pace you should be able to talk a little.  Sometimes it might be nice to push yourselves at a fast pace for ten to fifteen minutes and then to slow it down and continue your conversation.  For couples this is great way to get into a similar rhythm and to spend quality time together.  Getting your bodies in sync will also get you both in the mood for other adventures should you so desire.  Yet, families can also benefit from family bike rides given the right conditions.  Kids learn to feel independent as they zip along on their own bicycles, while adults can still be close enough to help out if they run into any trouble. 

Tennis is another great activity, which is especially good for friends or couples.  Trying out a set or two of doubles with another couple can be a lot of fun.  Working with your partner can bring you closer together as you both strive to outplay the other team.  A little healthy competition can also be fun should you need to switch up the teams or opt for a girls against guys game.

Yoga classes have long been a great way to zero in on your own state and to find peace and balance with yourself.  Nowadays however are there so many varieties of classes available that you can probably find a family yoga class or a mommy and me yoga class at your local gym or mother’s community centre.  These can be a terrific way to relax with the whole family and to teach your kids how to build strength, flexibility and peace of mind.  If the whole family could use a little Zen time, but you want to do this activity together, then this is a great place to begin.

While we might sometimes want a little getaway and to just zone in as we go for a run or hit the Stairmaster with abandon, it can also be nice to think of creative ways to spend quality time with friends, partners and family that keep you all in shape.  So next time you plan on meeting a friend at the local coffee shop, think instead about grabbing that coffee to go and heading out for a long stroll.