Everything is better when you do it together. When it comes to working out, having a partner means that you’re more likely to stick to it, stay into it, and achieve better results. So in honor of Valentine’s Week (yes, we’ve extended it to a whole week), grab your favorite gym partner and try one of these workouts that require two to work:
- Resistance bands
Using resistance bands with a partner provides two distinct benefits. The first is that you have more places to anchor it, and the second is that force can be applied in opposition to yours.
- Tricep extensions– Face your partner, right foot in front of the left, holding one end of an exercise band in your right hand while your partner holds the other in their left. Bend forward at your hips with your knees slightly bent, and contract your abs. Slowly straighten your arm to pull back the band, then return to start. Complete 12 reps, then switch arms and repeat.
- Band jumps– Stand in front of your partner, facing opposite directions. Loop the resistance band around your waist, with your partner holding one end in each hand, knees slightly bent, and hips slightly back for stability. Step forward until there’s light tension in the band. Jump forward as far as possible by bending your knees, hips back and core tight, exploding up and forward. Step back and repeat for 8 to 12 reps, then switch roles.
- Medicine Ball
Adding a medicine ball allows partners to pass and toss the ball back and forth, improving coordination and increasing muscle power more than can easily be done alone. - Orbit twist & pass– Stand back to back with your partner. Holding the medicine ball in both hands, turn to your right while your partner turns left, and pass them the ball over your right shoulder. Then, turn to the opposite side and pass the ball back again, this time low by your left knee. Repeat for 10-15 reps, then switch directions, this time turning left first.
- Forward-backward lunges– Stand facing each other about one foot apart. Hold the medicine ball at chest height and step forward with your right foot. Simultaneously your partner will step backward with their left foot. Both of you will sink into a lunge by bending the front and back knees 90 degrees, keeping knees over ankles, back straight, and core tight. At the bottom of the lunge, pass the medicine ball to your partner before pushing off and returning to your starting positions. Now, switch feet and do it in reverse. Repeat for 8 to 12 reps, then change sides.
- Bodyweight
Partnering up means that not only do you have your own bodyweight to provide resistance, you have someone else’s to leverage as well. - Wheelbarrow push-up squats – While your partner is in a high plank position, stand at their feet. Slowly take one of their feet in each hand until they’re in a “wheelbarrow” position. Simultaneously, while your partner bends at the elbows into a push-up, you lower into a squat with your back straight, core tight, and knees in line with ankles. As they pushes up to return to start position, you stands. Repeat for 8 to 12 reps, then switch roles.
- Roundhouse– Stand facing each other, 2 to 3 feet apart, with feet wider than shoulder-width apart and hands in fists next to chin. Bring your right foot in toward your left, then kicks right leg up and out while your partner squats low to duck under it. Switch roles as they kick their right leg up and over your low squat. Do 50 kicks total, switching legs halfway through.
Obviously, these are just a few of the things you can do with a partner that you can’t do by yourself. Try incorporating claps into solo moves, take turns doing things, or even start a friendly competition over who can go longer or do more. And the best part is you’ll probably be having more fun while you do it.