Love & Lunges: Fun Partner Workouts to Try this February
February is the month of love, and while chocolates and roses are great, the best way to show your love might just be by sweating it out at the gym side by side. Working out with your partner isn’t just a great way to spend time together—it can actually make you both happier and healthier. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that couples who exercise together are more successful in reaching their health goals. Even better? They experience improved moods during their workouts, feel happier throughout the day, and report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. (That’s right—doing burpees together might actually bring you closer. Who knew?)
But don’t worry, you don’t have to be in a relationship to enjoy the benefits of a workout buddy. This month, we’re celebrating all kinds of partnerships with fun exercises you can do in pairs. Plus, don’t forget to check out this month’s Sunday Snippet—Share the Love! Every Sunday at 9:00am, two Western instructors are teaming up to bring double the energy and double the fun!
1. Warm-Up: Get in Sync
Every good workout starts with a good warmup!
Try these moves together to get ready to work:
High-Five Jumping Jacks: Face each other, give a high-five at the top of each rep, and try not to laugh.
Mirror Stretching: One person leads a stretch, and the other mirrors their movements.
Side Shuffle Hand Taps: Shuffle sideways across the floor and tap your hands when you meet in the middle.
2. Partner Strength Training
Ready to work those muscles? Having your partner there to spot you, challenge you, and provide moral support (or lighthearted trash talk) makes it way more fun.
Strength exercises to try together:
Band Jump: To perform this move, one partner stands with their back facing the other with a resistance band looped around their waist. The partner in the back holds the ends of the band securely while maintaining a strong stance with slightly bent knees and an engaged core. The front partner then bends their knees, shifts their hips back, and jumps forward with power, using their arms for momentum. After landing softly on their toes, they take a few steps back to reset before repeating. Perform 8–12 reps before switching roles.
Assisted Pull-Ups: Work on building upper body strength together with this assisted pull-up variation. One partner grips the pull-up bar and begins the movement, while the other offers support by holding their ankles. The supporting partner helps guide them through the upward phase, making it easier to complete more reps while maintaining proper form.
Wheelbarrow Push-Ups: One person stands while the other starts on all fours, facing away. The standing partner lifts their partner’s legs, holding onto their ankles as they walk their hands forward into a high plank position. From here, the person in the plank lowers into a push-up while their partner provides balance support.
3. Partner Core Workouts
Nothing says romance like groaning through an ab workout together. These moves will fire up your core and keep you both engaged.
Core exercises to try together:
Sit-Up Pass: Sit facing each other, knees bent, and ankles overlapping, and pass a medicine ball back and forth at the top of each sit-up.
Plank High Five: Start in a high plank position, facing your partner with your hands directly under your shoulders and your core engaged. While maintaining stability, lift one hand off the ground and give your partner a high-five. Return your hand to the floor, then repeat with the opposite hand.
Partner Squat & Pass: Ready to test your balance and coordination? Grab a medicine ball, stand back-to-back, and lower into a squat together. Next, twist towards each other and pass the ball to your partner. You’ll be fully in sync by the last rep!
4. Cardio Tag-Team
Cardio is always better when you’ve got someone to push you. Whether you’re sprinting, rowing, or jumping rope, keep each other motivated until the last breath!
Cardio exercise to try together:
Treadmill Intervals: Take turns sprinting while the other walks (and cheers you on!).
Battle Ropes: Lay battle ropes out on the floor, ensuring one end is looped while the handles are together at the other. One partner takes a plank position at the looped end, stabilizing the rope with their arms. Meanwhile, the other partner grabs the handles and creates strong, controlled waves. Choose a set number of reps or time and then switch roles.
Rowing Challenge: Perfect for FebROWary at Western! Set a distance goal and see who can hit it first (loser buys the post-workout smoothie!).
5. Partner Up for Group Fitness
The only thing better than going to a group ex class is going to a group ex class with someone you love! This month, Western is offering “Share the Love” team teaching classes every Sunday at 9:00am. You’ll have twice the fun with two instructors and blended formats for a varied workout that’ll keep you guessing.
Take a look at the line-up below:
🚲👊 February 2nd
Pedal & Strike with Amanda & Val
This class will combine cycling and paddle punching!
💪🏃 February 9th
Full Body Shiit w/ Andrea & Amy M.
This class will target all major muscle groups, combining strength training and some high-intensity interval training.
🚲👯 February 16th
Pedal & Groove with Stephanie & Becky W.
Start class in the cycle studio for a fun ride, and then find your groove with some dance fitness. This class will contain explicit music.
Sign up for a bike at the front desk beginning 30 minutes before class
🌊🥾 February 23rd
In Deep Ship w/ Kari & Tad
In Deep Ship is a rowing + strength boot camp style class with a programming twist.
No max | No sign-up required | FREE
6. Cool Down: Recover Together at Renew
After all that work, it’s time to relax and reset. Head over to Renew and give your bodies and minds some much-needed recovery time.
Cryotherapy: Take turns in the whole-body cryosauna while offering one another moral support. It’s just 3 (chilly) minutes! You can do it!
RF Detox: Sit side by side and relax while you heal and regulate your nervous systems, support your immune systems, and break down toxins.
Partner Breathwork Session: Try a guided partner breathwork session from energy healer Ana Kat. A partner session offers a wonderful opportunity for two individuals to forge a stronger bond with each other. This session is particularly advantageous for couples in intimate relationships and can be tailored to include energetic body healing and other mindful exercises.
Share the Love
The couple that sweats together stays together! Share the love with that special person this month and don’t forget to show us all the creative ways you wor kout together by tagging us @westernracquet on Instagram and Facebook.
