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Valentine’s Day Date Ideas: Sweat Together & Stay Together

Valentine’s Day Date Ideas: Sweat Together & Stay together

Regular exercise is one of the most beneficial things that any couple can do together. It’s a fun and healthy way of bonding, and creating great memories. Working out together also wards off many chronic diseases and disorders, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety and obesity.

Loads of research backs up the notion that couples who sweat together, stay together. One study from Indiana University found that married couples who joined a health club together have only a 6.3% drop-out rate, compared to couples who worked out separately. The latter group had a 43% drop-out rate over the course of a year.

Mutual health goals help you to build stronger bonds with your partner. With this in mind, here are some great athletic Valentine’s Day date ideas.  

A hiking adventure

Australia has hundreds of beautiful national parks with well-provisioned walking trails and gorgeous scenery. Walking or hiking trails range from easy to advanced. So this is a good form of exercise that most people of all fitness levels and ages can enjoy.  So grab your compass, decent hiking shoes, a picnic and your significant other and go exploring.

A romantic cycling trip

Australia has over 16,000 mapped cycling routes throughout our vast country. Whether you want to go for a city cycle or take a trip of a lifetime to Ayers Rock or Tasmania, Australia is a cyclist’s paradise and offers a fun Valentine’s Day date option. Don’t forget to bring water, food and plenty of sunscreen. An outback tour by bike is best reserved for experienced cyclists because of the complete isolation of the desert.

An indoor rock climbing challenge

City-dwelling couples with less time for a Valentine’s Day date should consider indoor rock-climbing. It’s not weather dependent and the facilities are all over the place in major cities. Also it’s a great way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and strength, while also requiring input from your partner. While one of you climbs, the other one belays the ropes.

A swimming, sauna and spa visit

Treat yourself to a bit of luxury and pampering together by visiting a day spa or health centre. Enjoy a swim together in the pool followed by a sauna, spa treatment and a massage. It’s guaranteed to make you both feel loved, cherished and relaxed afterwards.

Kayaking along the coast

Australia has over 35,000 kilometres of coastline. With so much beach to choose from, you can easily find a place outside of major cities where you can enjoy a kayak together on a deserted romantic beach.  A double kayak is a great way to improve your cardiovascular strength and upper body strength, while also enjoying the wild beauty of the Australian coast.

Warming up and warming down to prevent injury

The expression ‘No pain, no gain’ is really silly when it comes to exercise! To prevent injury, you should listen for the warning signs in your body. Pain is your body’s way of warning you that something is not right.

Common musculoskeletal injuries such as strains, sprains, joint injuries and back pain can be prevented with warm ups. These stretches should last approximately 10 minutes in duration. Warm ups are important because they:  

  • Slowly boost your heart rate and breathing rate.
  • Increase the blood flow to working muscles.
  • Warm up your muscles and improve their elasticity, preparing your body for exercise.

After your workout, a cool down stretch is also important. This could be static stretches (static holding of positions for 10-30 seconds) or dynamic stretches (moving the body through a full range of motion). Both kinds of cool down stretches help you to maintain your flexibility in your muscles, tendons and joints.

If you have forgotten about warm ups and cool down exercises and sustained an injury, it may be time for you to visit the experienced team at Maroubra Road Physiotherapy.

Don’t go from zero to hero

If you or your partner are starting from zero exercise and plan on jumping straight into a very athletic Valentine’s date, you should first consider any pre-existing health conditions or injuries you may have.

The friendly team at Maroubra Road Physiotherapy will be able to provide you with an assessment of your musculoskeletal condition.  We will also be able to provide you with expert advice on what kind of Valentine’s date would be most suitable for the both of you.

If either one of you are experiencing pain, it’s a good idea to book an assessment by Maroubra Road Physiotherapy before your athletic Valentine’s Day date.

References

Psychology Today (2014) The Reasons Why Couples Who Sweat Together Stay Together  

Exercise and Sports Science Australia (2017) Exercise Right: Top 5 Active Date Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University (1995). Twelve month adherence of adults who joined a fitness program with a spouse vs without a spouse.

Health Education Research (2008) The role of collective efficacy in exercise adherence: a qualitative study of spousal support and type 2 diabetes management.

PLoS One (2013) Energy Expenditure during Sexual Activity in Young Healthy Couples.

Do You Want To Start Exercising? A Few Simple, Practical Steps To Get You on Your Way

 

Do You Want To Start Exercising?

If you want to start an exercise program to improve your fitness levels, strength and conditioning, it is often hard to know where to start. The gym can often seem intimidating, expensive, or time consuming. You don’t have to start there. Instead, start by making small changes to your daily habits and include more activity.

A good place to start is:

  • Avoid the lift and take the stairs! Stairs are a GREAT way to get those muscles working.
  • Park a bit further than your intended destination and get walking.
  • Walk/cycle to work.

Take the plunge and start an exercise regime! Your program doesn’t need to be done every day. It can be as simple as a 15 minute walk around the block every other day, and gradually build from there. Any amount of activity that you do in a day, no matter how small, is going to make a difference. Just think, it is more exercise than you would have done previously.

IMPORTANT CHECKLIST:

  1. Have a chat with your Doctor – Discuss your plans with your doctor to ensure you are safe to start an exercise program.
  2. Get the appropriate gear – Wear correct footwear and don’t carry heavy bags to avoid developing injuries. You can read more on our blog here
  3. Document your progress – Use an exercise diary or an app on your phone and set realistic and achievable goals for yourself.
  4. Consult your physiotherapist to prescribe an exercise program that meets your needs and sets you on the right track.

A common question is, “How much should I be exercising a week?” That depends on the individual and on your age, medical condition, and previous exercise history. It is better to start off slowly and gradually build your exercise tolerance.

Make the start today and enjoy the benefits of being more active!