Written with love, by Leah Bahrencu
Soon to be Mrs.
Not too long from now, you and your main squeeze will be walking down the aisle hand in hand as the new Mr. & Mrs. And up to this big eventful day, you two have spent numerous hours planning, deciding, organizing, practicing and everything else you can think of together. So why not workout together?
During the stressful moments of deciding the colors, the songs, and the food, take a time out just for you two and get a little workout in. You can break it into small bouts of 10 minutes or even do a full 30 + minute workout. You can cater it to work into your busy schedules and the best part about it, is you can do this right at home.
I'm sure you’ve heard the saying, "couples who sweat together, stay together." And there are numerous amounts of workouts you can do together and you can make it fun!
So here are some ideas!
Go for a Walk
Hand in hand you can go for a walk around your neighborhood or even the local trail. This is a great low impact workout that will still get your endorphins kicking and your blood pumping.
Give yourselves an opportunity to just chat about anything and everything. Maybe even make that the time you don’t talk about the wedding, but you talk about the future.
Do Crazy Planks
Planks are a great total body workout. You can do them side by side, one at a time or make it a bit more challenging by stacking yourselves on one another.
When doing a plank you want to make sure your shoulders are above your wrists and you want your back to be flat. Squeeze your core when you are in the plank position to keep your back from curving. Try holding for 15 seconds, then increase your time as you go until you can hold it for 1 full minute.
Partner Leg Raise/Throw
This exercise is great for the core. Have Partner A lay flat on the ground (I would suggest laying on a towel or mat) with your head in between Partner B’s legs. Partner A will be holding on to their partner's ankles or calves to provide leverage and stability. Partner A will bend knees slightly and slowly raise legs toward partner’s body. Bring legs straight up so Partner B can hold your ankles and will gently push your legs down. You will feel your partner throw your legs down and you will use your core strength to bring them back up.
You want to resist the force of your legs as they are pushed and do not let your feet touch the ground. You can ask your partner to throw your legs in different directions (example 45 degrees) to work your obliques. Perform this workout for 1 minute each.
Partner Squats
This exercise can be done in many different ways. You can squat side by side for 1 minute, you can do a wall sit, where you press your back firmly against the wall and squat down where knees are at a 90 degree angle. Or you can make it fun and go back to back. Still making sure your body is in proper alignment, but using each other balance.
Dynamic Duo Lunge
You will stand facing your partner at arms length. One partner will lunge forward with the right leg as your partner lunges backward with their left leg. Then bring your legs back to the standing position. You will then reverse the motion, lunging backward with the right leg as your partner lunges forward with the left. Complete 10-12 reps, then switch legs.
Smooch Sit-Ups
Who wouldn’t love to be rewarded with a kiss each time you come up from a sit-up? Have one partner lay down on the ground, bend your knees and keep your feet and knees together with your hands placed behind your head. Have other partner holding down feet for stability and assume the position for kissing rewards.
As the partner on the ground is coming up from a sit-up, other partner must give one big smakeroo.
Reminder: When you are doing your sit up, do not use your hands to pull your head up. Engage your core the entire way up. After doing 10-12 reps, switch partners.
And last but not least...
Dance in your living room
Turn on your radio or Pandora onto a fun upbeat station and just let loose. You have so much stuff on your mind that sometimes it is good to just let go and be silly. Take a moment to laugh and enjoy each others' company. Dancing for a good 10 minutes can work up a big sweat and can also incorporate some great laughs and memories to share.
Staying active together doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t need to be done in a gym. All you need is a good pair of sneakers and some music.
Until next time my lovely brides-to-be! Keep on moving!
