Couples who sweat together, stay together. No kidding! Even research has showed that if you’re exercising with a loved one, the benefits are manifold. Many gym junkies in the city are shedding all inhibitions and grabbing the hands of their loved ones. Working out has never been so much fun. And why not? When it comes with added health benefits like increasing happiness levels, a sense of competition that helps improve efficiency of workouts, achieve fitness goals, bond emotionally and physically. And the year 2016 saw fitness centres in the city double up as new meeting grounds for many couples who met there, dated, fell head over heels and even got hitched. We find out what happened in the year gone by from these city-based couples. Sowjanya Shetty, a city girl recalls, “I worked out with Shameer. We found love in the gym and together we do a workout called Insanity workout. We motivate each other to stay fit and happy.”
Senior marketing professional, Landmark Group, Saloni Arora who just got married to the love of her life, whom she met during her stints at running, shares her story, “After I took to running there’s been no looking back. Bengaluru is the ultimate hub for long distance running primarily thanks to the weather which is so conducive. There are a lot of running groups in the city based on location, seriousness of training, and the race being trained. I was training for one such run TCS World 10k when I chanced upon the man of my dreams and ultimately my partner in crime. Two long distance marathon runners got talking. He was new to the city and since I had trained for this race earlier, I explained the race nuances to him, not realising he was much faster. On my next race after that I asked him to pace me. One thing led to another and he ultimately asked me to pace him for life and we got married in December 2016 and I have to thank running for this. We train for most races together and also strength train together. While we do have individual fitness and race goals, we bank on each other’s strengths to become fitter versions of ourselves. His speed and agility for shorter race distances and my dedication to fitness rub off on each other when the going gets tough. We are also each other’s best critiques and the best part, when the going gets tough we are around to motivate each other. Morning runs are actually quite romantic together and keeps us fit, healthy and more in love and sync,” says Saloni.
Celebrity fitness trainer, The Tribe, Shwetambari Shetty cites a famous saying “Couples who workout together, stay together”. She adds, “The lifestyle we lead is extremely complex and busy, making time for your spouse is kind of luxury. But if you can find that one hour to workout with your spouse, not worrying about any other problems, but only focussing on motivating each other to push harder, it can certainly contribute to burning more calories. My husband and I workout together all the time and that’s ‘our time together.’” Model Karan Medappa who is another fitness freak, gets his adrenaline pumping from running adds, “It’s the best way for couples to get stronger, not just physically, but mentally as well. A sound mind is synonymous with a healthy body, given they are couples who are into fitness and exercising. I workout with my model friends and we remind each other to not skip our daily workouts, and if we’re putting on weight and also to eat clean.” Endorsing partner workouts is Prasad MG, Zen Fitness and Sports, who shares, “Exercising together is always good because they can motivate each other and put their best efforts. This year I saw many youngsters join fitness centers who ended up socialising and making new friends. I’ve seen so many of the exercise partners turning into life partners. Infact, it’s the truth that a lot of boys and girls join a particular fitness or yoga centre for the sole reason that their boyfriend or girlfriend is there.”
Digital marketing professional Sowjanya Shetty adds, “I work out with Shameer. We found love in the gym and together we do a workout called Insanity workout. We always motivate each other to stay fit and happy.”
