Coming into the new year, it almost feels cliche to take up the torch of a new year’s resolution. Especially seeing how almost 80% of people fail theirs by mid-February.
One way to counteract that is by trying a new approach that might help you be more successful, like setting a goal with your significant other to achieve together. One reason for this is a study that found that couples who have the same goals and go after them together are stronger. Additionally, having your S/O tackling the same goal means you can both work together to prioritize it, support each other, and motivate one another.
With the majority of new year’s resolutions about health and fitness, here are some great options for healthy activities that couples can use for their own goals in 2024.
Contents
- 1. Active couples get stronger together with strength training workouts
- 2. Bring calm and support into your relationship with couples yoga
- 3. Get out and active with outdoor activities
- 4. Get some playtime in by joining a rec league
- 5. Workout your brain and body by taking classes in a new physical activity
1. Active couples get stronger together with strength training workouts
Source: TeamVBB
Hitting the gym is always on top of everyone’s list; it seems of things to do in the new year. But get more specific. Choose to focus on a specific style of exercise like strength training. There is no reason for you to do different strength training workouts, either. So get ready and hit the weights together. Working out together has its own benefits like these and more.
First off, you always have someone else there to spot you, motivate you, and hold you accountable. With you, both having “work out” on your to-do list and it being the same workout, it makes it much easier to schedule it into your routine consistently. Helping you to start going, stay on track, and keep showing up always. Which is 90% percent of the battle. Isn’t it?
The other main reason is strength training is great at developing you both as individuals. The slow but steady improvement in weights, as you put in the work, provides a boost in self-esteem and confidence. That’s because you can see the fruits of your labor in something as tangible as weight, as well as in the mirror. Plus, it can also help you as a couple develop a growth mindset. As you continue to progress in the weight room, learn more, and apply it to your craft, something becomes very clear.
This is exactly how you improve at anything in life. You set a goal; you make a plan, you show up consistently, give your 100%, rinse, and repeat. For a couple, a growth mindset is going to help you realize that every aspect of your relationship can be worked on with a goal, a plan, and action. It is making any obstacle just another challenge for you both to conquer.
2. Bring calm and support into your relationship with couples yoga
Source: SportsRec
Couples yoga is an excellent option, whether you are someone who is a more advanced practitioner or you’re both just starting. There are tons of different poses that all have different benefits and levels of difficulty.
Couples yoga consists of flowing through the pose to pose with one another. Doing these poses together helps you engage more deeply in the stretches and have the support there to help you through it and allowing you to progress faster and make your yoga practice more rewarding.
Doing this with your other half can help strengthen your relationship too. Just think about it. You have to communicate both verbally and non-verbally. Listen to, understand, and actively support each other’s needs. Be vulnerable by allowing the other to take control of certain poses. Advocate for yourself by voicing what your needs are.
All of which are skills and experiences that are undeniably valuable in taking your relationship to new heights in 2024. You can check this guide as a source of inspiration for poses and guidance for getting started.
3. Get out and active with outdoor activities
Source: MediBlurb
First off, getting active in the outdoors is a win-win. That comes with many benefits, like these ones, from both the exercise and from simply being outside in nature.
Doing it together with your partner only makes it better. For example, you could try rock climbing, where you have to support and communicate every step of the way actively. It forces you to work on how you both speak and listen to each other.
When your climbing with your partner, what they see becomes a second pair of eyes as your problem solves your way up. That can help couples to learn to value what each other has to say in the relationship.
Another great outdoor option is hiking. Hiking is a great way for couples to take mini-adventures and explore the world together. Planning your hikes together can allow you to include challenges for you both to overcome, views, or sites you want to see, and have something in common that you are both looking forward to.
Going on the hike itself provides you with ample quality time – a time where you get to be present with one another and enjoy being together as you go on a little journey.
4. Get some playtime in by joining a rec league
Source: CNY News
It’s one thing to go out and do things as a couple. But it’s another to do something that is still active, but social. That’s why playing a recreational sport in a local league is always a great option.
It helps you both get out, get active, and have a source of competition in your life. You might even start making time to play some pickup games or just do some drills together as well. Plus, it ensures that both of you are getting time to develop your social circle and interact with other people in an environment that don’t work.
5. Workout your brain and body by taking classes in a new physical activity
Source: Delo
Start by making a list of physical activities that require a skill set. Activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, and salsa dancing are all activities that require unique skills and are physically demanding.
All that’s next is to start finding classes near you and signing up.
If you are struggling to come up with ideas or interesting classes in the area, here is what you do. Simply browse through what Groupon has to offer. It is always a surefire way to find some inspiration and some very unique opportunities.
