February, the month of loooove.
It’s no secret that Jim loves to workout but what he loves even more is when we are able to workout together. It happens few and far in between because our schedules are so different, but when the workout gods are in our favor and we’re able to get in the gym together, we are loving it. Below are some of our favorite partner workouts you can do with your significant other. The first time you try these out, you’ll likely burn more calories laughing at each other than the workout itself. I know we did.
The plank push-up looks much simpler than it is! You have to use much more balance than a regular push-up so it really activates your core. The intent is for the person on top to do the push-up while the other is planking and then the person on the bottom does a push-up (don’t try doing push-ups at the same time – we tried that…it wasn’t pretty).
You see that there? Hellooo baby tricep! This tricep dip means business. Position your hands shoulder-width apart on a secured bench or stable chair. Slide your behind off the front of the bench with your legs extended and in the hands of your partners. Slowly bend your elbows to lower your body toward the floor until your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, begin returning to the starting position. And then repeat!
Take my strong hand! (if you know where that was from, YOU are my spirit animal). The strong arm lunge is exactly how it sounds. Grab the opposite arm of your partner as if you were arm wrestling and then take a step back into a reverse lunge position. Be sure your knee is behind your toe! Then switch arms and legs and repeat.
The extended reverse crunch is my jam. Lie on the floor with your legs extended in the air directly above your hips and your hands grabbing on to your partners ankles. Initiate the movement from your lower abs and curl your hips up off the floor and slightly toward your partner. Hold at the top of the movement for a second and reverse the motion slowly to the starting position and repeat.
The ab roll out is not my friend. And that could be because it was pretty dang difficult or because I forgot I was 5 foot 9 and not right at 5 foot and smacked my head on the floor the first time doing it. So, there’s that..
Partner row! It’s just as simple as it looks. Partner 1 (me) gently leans backwards. Partner 2 (Jim) does the same and begins to bend their elbows, pulling their entire body towards the weighted bar. On the way down, Partner 2 should slowly lower their body back towards their starting position. And repeat! Once complete, switch roles with Partner 1.
Pretty much exactly like it says. Stand facing each other – one partner holds a medicine ball and squats then tosses the ball to Partner 2. That partner (partner 2) is in a sit-up position, catches the ball, and then lays back in a full extension. They sit up and toss the ball back to Partner 1 who repeats the movement.
And if you’re just over the workout altogether, you catch on the latest Hollywood gossip and make your partner do all of the work in the partner squat.
Happy February loves – be sure to get in that partner workout! xx, K
Huge THANK YOU to one of our favorite photographers, Stellar Exposures, for the stellar pictures.
PS. Want to know what to get your fitness fanatic loved one for Valentine’s day? Check this out.