SHAPING UP: The benefits of training with your other half

But, every time I go to the gym I notice more couples training together. At East Coast Fitness we’ve got lots couples who train together, both with personal training and group classes.

It’s great to see because there’s lots of benefits to working out with your other half…

Extra encouragement

It’s always nice to receive words of encouragement when you’re working hard to achieve your goals. And who else do you want to hear those words from than your other half?

Exercising together can help you both to be more focussed on achieving your fitness goals, but remember to keep on offering your partner those motivational words of wisdom!

Improve your bond

As we all know, exercise can involve doing repetitions and sets of the same exercise. The act of coordinating your movement with someone else’s is called ‘nonverbal mimicry’, and apparently, it’s good for bonding! You never know, it might work for you, and even if it doesn’t, at least you’ll both be fitter than when you started!

Spend quality time together

You might see your partner all the time or you might be like ships passing in the night, either way, arranging to workout together guarantees that you’ll get some quality time together. Even better, you’ll be releasing all those feel-good endorphins while you’re sweating it out.

Trying something new brings you together

Not only does exercise itself release endorphins, but trying something new also floods the brain with the feel-good chemical dopamine! It doesn’t have to be trying something in the gym, you could get out and try something different like climbing or hot yoga. Whatever it is, just give something new a try.

Friendly competition

Introducing some competition into your workout not only makes you forget about the pain you’re putting your muscles through but can also bring a little bit of fun into your relationship too. Why not see who can complete a circuit first, or see who can do 20 burpees the fastest?

Happier relationship

Studies have shown that couples who participate in physical challenges or activities together feel more satisfied and more in love with their partner. Training for something like a 10k run or a similar event can be the perfect way of completing a challenge together. Why not give it a go?

Want to start training together?

If you’d like to try some workouts with us at East Coast Fitness you can do a full week for just £10.

You can sign up for the trial here: www.eastcoast-fitness.com/trial

UPPER BODY DUMBBELL WORKOUT FOR BEGINNERS

In this upper body dumbbell workout for beginners we focus on some basic exercises to strengthen the main muscles in your upper half - core, back, arms, shoulders and chest.

30 seconds BICEP CURLS

30 seconds BENT OVER TRICEP EXT

30 seconds SHOULDER PRESS

30 seconds BENT OVER REVERSE FLYES

30 seconds PLANK ROWS

30 seconds CHEST PRESS

20 seconds rest

30 seconds BICEP CURLS

30 seconds BENT OVER TRICEP EXT

30 seconds SHOULDER PRESS

30 seconds BENT OVER REVERSE FLYES

30 seconds PLANK ROWS

30 seconds CHEST PRESS

20 seconds rest

30 seconds BICEP CURLS

30 seconds BENT OVER TRICEP EXT

30 seconds SHOULDER PRESS

30 seconds BENT OVER REVERSE FLYES

30 seconds PLANK ROWS

30 seconds CHEST PRESS

Raspberry Chocolate Mousse

If you’re trying to impress your partner this Friday (it’s Valentines Day in case you forgot), why not whip up this Raspberry Chocolate Mousse for dessert. It’s healthy, tastes amazing, and is quick to make. Win, win, win!

SERVES: 8

TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon of raspberry liqueur

1 tablespoon of milk

3⁄4 teaspoon of gelatine

85 grams of baking chocolate, roughly chopped

4 eggs, separated

4 tablespoons of sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

A pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Begin by whisking together the liqueur, milk and gelatine in a small bowl before leaving to set.

Meanwhile, create a bain-marie by placing a glass bowl atop a saucepan half filled with boiling water. Place the chocolate in the glass bowl and gently whisk until it has completely melted and there are no lumps.

Put the chocolate to one side and place another glass bowl atop the saucepan. In the bowl, combine the egg yolks, 3 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk constantly until the sugar dissolves and then add the gelatine mixture and melted chocolate. Continue to whisk until the gelatine dissolves before removing from the heat.

In a large bowl, beat the egg whites until they form sti peaks. Once the eggs have reached this consistency, fold them into the chocolate mixture and then divide between 8 ramekins. Refrigerate the chocolate mousses for at least 2 hours before serving and garnish with fresh raspberries or whipped cream.