Does Lifting As A Couple Work?

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Replies

  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    I lift with my girl friend and it's absolutely fine for me. Don't see what the big deal is. She does the same exercises as me just at the right weight for her.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    I had to laugh././ sorry.
  • Grosen17
    Grosen17 Posts: 56 Member
    My wife and I lift together with no issues 5 days a week. She follows my program and tailors it to herself by increasing reps and decreasing weight . we've been lifting together for about 2 years now
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I imagine that when I first walked into a gym, I worked out with my (now ex) husband. That was back in the late 80s so I really don't remember.

    OP - if you too are doing the same program, that would be one thing, but otherwise I agree with the suggestion of going to the gym together and then doing your own thing.
  • vfit10
    vfit10 Posts: 228 Member
    Of course it work
  • DaddieCat
    DaddieCat Posts: 3,643 Member
    It does entirely depend on the couple. My SO and I did for a while, but it didn't last. Our emotional needs are too different for it to work for us without causing strife. For me, lifting is inherently uplifting and causes a positive feedback loop, for her it can easily reverse and my inherent nature is to offer what I perceive to be helpful suggestions... they very rarely end up being helpful for her and it breeds resentment. It's better for us to lift separately for our well-being.
  • crpoll5
    crpoll5 Posts: 105 Member
    Thanks everyone for all the good advice. After a couple of weeks lifting together I have found it hasn't been that big of a deal. We are both lifting to just tone our bodies and get into shape. I think if I was body building it would be a different issue. It doesn't take that much effort or long to switch out the weights going from one exercise to the next. I have found that it is making my relationship better with my wife because we are doing something together. Now on to the next topic. "Does Golfing As A Couple Work." ABSOLUTELY NOT !!!!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Thanks for the update!

    Re golfing as a couple - he took me to the driving range once and the course once and we mutually decided that I would rather garden.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    DopeItUp wrote: »
    My wife won't even work out with me in the same room.

    Take that as you may.

    my BF is the same way- he won't workout with me- he'll go for a walk- but he would never work out in the same space as me. I don't even think he' go to the gym at the same time as I did. Shrug- his cross to bear not mine.
  • ar9179
    ar9179 Posts: 374 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Thanks for the update!

    Re golfing as a couple - he took me to the driving range once and the course once and we mutually decided that I would rather garden.

    Classic! Made me lol 'cause that's so me.
  • crpoll5
    crpoll5 Posts: 105 Member
    I just want to let all who commented on this post a few months ago and give you an update of how things are going. We are still lifting as a couple and it has made our marriage stronger. Yes, it takes time to change out the weights but I am patient and can wait for her to add lbs on the barbell when it is her turn. :blush:
  • datsundriver87
    datsundriver87 Posts: 186 Member
    My wife and I work out at the same time to keep us both motivated and to push each other to not skip our gym visit, but we both have agreed we like to get it our own zone and not lift together, plus she goes to orange theory fitness and I go to 24 hour lol.
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    edited February 2016
    I started lifting on my own and after a while the husband wanted to join. At first, I was like NO, this is my workout; you can't join. He kinda looked a little bummed at that response, so then we did start lifting together. We followed the same program (because I wasn't going to stop or change what I was doing) and it has worked for us. I now have a spotter when I need one and he has structure to follow (he was famous for only working upper body). Unracking weights is kind of a pain, but I don't mind most of the time.

    Eta: we also run together, which was a disaster in the past. But now, it's part of our schedule.
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    edited February 2016
    We lift on alternate days most of the week <at home> but we are on the same program. He is also sweet enough to deload the bar for me after he is done.
    I had to drag him kicking and screaming but its nice to see him flex in the mirror once again...3 kids later. <3

    edited for typo
  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    Personally, I hate lifting with a partner unless it's absolutely necessary - example: bench pressing tends to be extremely difficult for me and I need a spotter. Other than that, I do everything on my own. I stay more focused, get in the zone and don't have anyone striking conversation or distracting me from the task at hand.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    edited February 2016
    My husband and I go to the gym together, but we do our own lifts. We will spot each other if needed, or share a bench if we both have bench press that day. That's about it. I did enjoy him breaking out in spontaneous applause in the middle of the gym when I PR'ed my deadlift! :p

    ETA: Dang it!

    zfkrr052kogd.jpg
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
    lisalsd1 wrote: »
    My husband and I run into issues...b/c I'm 5'3, and he is 6'3. Trying to squat at the same time would be a disaster. We're on the same program...if our bench days end up falling on the same day, we'll share a bench...we have to change plates for each other, but I can lift the 45s.

    Exactly this. I'm only 5'2. I personally would find it irritating to have to swap out weights every time. For this reason I prefer to lift with my girl friends who are on the same page as me.

    That said, going TO the gym together is a great motivator! Gets you out the door, achieving a goal together, but also gives some alone time.
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My husband and I go to the gym together, but we do our own lifts. We will spot each other if needed, or share a bench if we both have bench press that day. That's about it. I did enjoy him breaking out in spontaneous applause in the middle of the gym when I PR'ed my deadlift! :p

    ETA: Dang it!

    zfkrr052kogd.jpg

    Awh man! i IS a zombie thread! LOL
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    MommyMeggo wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    My husband and I go to the gym together, but we do our own lifts. We will spot each other if needed, or share a bench if we both have bench press that day. That's about it. I did enjoy him breaking out in spontaneous applause in the middle of the gym when I PR'ed my deadlift! :p

    ETA: Dang it!

    zfkrr052kogd.jpg

    Awh man! i IS a zombie thread! LOL

    The OP came back and updated, that's why it was bumped up.

    OP, that is good news!
  • eeejer
    eeejer Posts: 339 Member
    it is totally normal to have to switch weights between reps when sharing in a gym (working in). Adjusting the height for a squat is also common. Don't let that stop you. You need a rest period anyways, this is when you rack the new weights.
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  • MommysLittleMeatball
    MommysLittleMeatball Posts: 2,064 Member
    crpoll5 wrote: »
    I just want to let all who commented on this post a few months ago and give you an update of how things are going. We are still lifting as a couple and it has made our marriage stronger. Yes, it takes time to change out the weights but I am patient and can wait for her to add lbs on the barbell when it is her turn. :blush:

    conan-up-high.gif

    Excellent job, OP! My husband and I had positive experiences lifting together at the gym. I had my program, he had his. We did our own thing, had earbuds in, didn't talk, so it was like we kinda worked out alone, but we would be there for a spot and/or give high fives. We would usually end our sessions doing something together though, like sit up medicine ball throws and that was always fun. Like that time he was in the middle of a sit up and he farted and we laughed hysterically (come on, that's funny).

    Now we have a home gym and I prefer to lift in the AM and he prefers PM, so we don't work out together any more, but there's still plenty of high fives to go around.

    Keep up the good work. :)

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