photo here
February is a month all about love. Why not share your love of fitness with your partner? You know what they say, “A couple that works out together, stays together!” My husband, Ron, and I have worked out together ever since we started dating. It’s a nice motivator to have someone rely on you to make it to the gym or for a run. If I didn’t go, I knew Ron wasn’t going to go. It was our time to catch up on our day. Bad day at work? Why not talk it out and release your aggressions on the weights. We no longer are members of a gym, but we still try to find a way to workout together on the weekends with the kids. Walking, running and hiking are our new ways to catch up while sweating it out.
One of my favorite routines to do to with a partner is with a medicine ball. Medicine balls are easy to handle, versatile, don’t take up much space and can be used at any fitness level. I even routinely use them with my cardiac rehab patients. All you need for this routine is a medicine ball (weight of your choice) and a partner. You will also need some space so plan accordingly.
Squats with ball toss: Works legs, glutes, shoulders, arms and chest. Stand about 4 feet away from each other. One person starts with holding the ball and performs a squat. While returning to standing, toss the ball from chest level to your partner. Partner performs same move. Repeat to fatigue.
Over under: Works shoulders, back, abs, glutes and legs. Stand back to back, but with at least a foot between you. One person holds the ball overhead while other raises hands to receive. Pass ball. Both bend forward. Pass ball through legs and return to standing. Repeat to fatigue.
Standing Russian twist: Great exercise to target the obliques and abs Stand back to back, feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. While holding ball at waist height, rotate through the waist to pass the ball to your partner. Hips stay forward and knees are soft. 12-15 reps each side, three sets. For an added bonus, this can be performed while entirely in a squat position.
Ball Slams: This exercise is the best for taking your aggression out after a bad day! Total body exercise that works it all. Face your partner, standing about 8 feet apart. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips, ball overhead. Forcefully throw the ball in front of you (at the ground, not your partner). As you release the ball, go into a squat. Return to standing. Take turns slamming the ball to the ground. Repeat to fatigue.
Sit up pass: Targets the abs, back and chest. Sit facing each other with your knees bent and feet touching. Hold ball at chest level as you perform a sit up. Toss the ball to your partner as you return to sitting.Partner catches ball and performs sit up. Repeat this sequence for 15-20 reps.
Do this workout routinely with your partner to build a strong body and stronger relationship.
Love to all!
Angela Bekkala is an exercise physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, twin toddlers, and crazy Lab, Cooper. Check out her blog, Happy Fit Mama .
photo here
February is a month all about love. Why not share your love of fitness with your partner? You know what they say, “A couple that works out together, stays together!” My husband, Ron, and I have worked out together ever since we started dating. It’s a nice motivator to have someone rely on you to make it to the gym or for a run. If I didn’t go, I knew Ron wasn’t going to go. It was our time to catch up on our day. Bad day at work? Why not talk it out and release your aggressions on the weights. We no longer are members of a gym, but we still try to find a way to workout together on the weekends with the kids. Walking, running and hiking are our new ways to catch up while sweating it out.
One of my favorite routines to do to with a partner is with a medicine ball. Medicine balls are easy to handle, versatile, don’t take up much space and can be used at any fitness level. I even routinely use them with my cardiac rehab patients. All you need for this routine is a medicine ball (weight of your choice) and a partner. You will also need some space so plan accordingly.
Squats with ball toss: Works legs, glutes, shoulders, arms and chest. Stand about 4 feet away from each other. One person starts with holding the ball and performs a squat. While returning to standing, toss the ball from chest level to your partner. Partner performs same move. Repeat to fatigue. Over under: Works shoulders, back, abs, glutes and legs. Stand back to back, but with at least a foot between you. One person holds the ball overhead while other raises hands to receive. Pass ball. Both bend forward. Pass ball through legs and return to standing. Repeat to fatigue. Standing Russian twist: Great exercise to target the obliques and abs Stand back to back, feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. While holding ball at waist height, rotate through the waist to pass the ball to your partner. Hips stay forward and knees are soft. 12-15 reps each side, three sets. For an added bonus, this can be performed while entirely in a squat position. Ball Slams: This exercise is the best for taking your aggression out after a bad day! Total body exercise that works it all. Face your partner, standing about 8 feet apart. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips, ball overhead. Forcefully throw the ball in front of you (at the ground, not your partner). As you release the ball, go into a squat. Return to standing. Take turns slamming the ball to the ground. Repeat to fatigue. Sit up pass: Targets the abs, back and chest. Sit facing each other with your knees bent and feet touching. Hold ball at chest level as you perform a sit up. Toss the ball to your partner as you return to sitting.Partner catches ball and performs sit up. Repeat this sequence for 15-20 reps.Do this workout routinely with your partner to build a strong body and stronger relationship.
Love to all!
Angela Bekkala is an exercise physiologist in Cardiac Rehabilitation. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, twin toddlers, and crazy Lab, Cooper. Check out her blog, Happy Fit Mama .