Research has shown that working out with a partner can improve your performance by 50%. Having a work out buddy is an excellent source of motivation. You tend to push yourself to do more because you become low key competitive. Is it the same, however, when you work out with your spouse?

A lot of things come into play here. What if your partner is an athlete? The bottom line is that you have to find common ground. Consult an expert if need be to help you come up with the perfect workout routine. If going to the gym is not an option, consider these fun ideas for your work out as a couple without hitting the gym.

Cycling

Do you both like outdoor activities? If your answer is yes, then cycling is a good starting point to work out as a couple. Biking is a good cardio workout. Research has shown that you can burn as much as 400 calories an hour with biking. Additionally, cycling strengthens your lower body, that is, the legs and the hips without any strain on your back. If you don’t own some bikes, the best kind to get will be hybrid bikes. According to bike reviews, a hybrid bike is a perfect combination of a mountain bike and a road bike. Some bike reviews also indicate that hybrid bikes are not as pricy as you think. Some of the best hybrid bikes retail for as little as $300.

Adding power meters to your bikes ushers in friendly competition and extra motivation to improve your performance. If you wonder about the compatibility of the devices with your existing bikes, ask cycling enthusiasts and power meter specialists. Are you excited to see who will out pedal whom?

Couple’s yoga

One of the popular forms of couples’ yoga is AcroYoga. AcroYoga is a combination of acrobatics and yoga. One of you acts as the base and the other the flyer. This means that one of you will be doing stretches in the air supported by your partner. The acrobatic fun comes in when the two of you find new ways to connect your bodies while one is in flight. This type of couple’s yoga might strengthen the trust and communication in your relationship.

Work out with your partner doing a playground circuit workout.

The playground circuit workout is an excellent idea if you live near a park. It is best for you and your partner to choose a time when there are no kids on the playground. A playground is a fun place where you can get creative with some of your workouts. For example, you can use the park benches to do some bench jumps and some incline push-ups. You can do a pistol squat with the swings and use the monkey bars for some pull-ups. The options are endless.

Working out together is not the first thing that comes to mind when couples think of spending more time together. If you already spend every minute with your spouse, exercising might be another great way to bond and do something together. Besides being fun, you will get stronger and build lean, healthy bodies. Exercise is vital for all human beings, and doing it with your spouse will only be a plus.