One way to support both personal wellbeing and workplace performance is through exercise—particularly when done with a partner. Whether it’s a romantic partner, a close friend, or a colleague, working out together creates shared experiences, strengthens bonds, and enhances motivation. Exercise releases endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce stress, while also fostering trust, teamwork, and communication.
As we approach Valentine’s Day, this article explores how employee fitness benefits can contribute to healthier relationships—both inside and outside the workplace—by encouraging social connections, strengthening bonds, and providing a positive, energising way to spend time together.
Are you an employer? Hussle now offer flexible, discounted access to our fitness venues as an employee benefit. Learn more.
How Can Exercising with a Partner Benefit Us?
Exercising with a partner—can amplify the physical and emotional benefits of working out. The shared experience of physical activity contributes significantly to bonding, mutual support, and a sense of accomplishment. Here’s how exercising together can help:
1. Building Accountability and Motivation
When you work out with someone, it increases motivation to stick to fitness goals. Knowing someone is counting on you pushes you to show up and give your best effort. This accountability leads to greater consistency in your fitness routine, benefiting both physical health and relationship dynamics.
2. Enhancing Communication and Teamwork
Physical activity can also improve communication. Working together toward shared goals in fitness requires understanding, patience, and encouragement. These interactions translate into improved collaboration skills, making it easier to work together in both personal and professional contexts.
3. Forming Stronger Emotional Bonds
Exercise boosts endorphins, which not only improve mood but can also deepen emotional connections. Whether bonding with a romantic partner, enjoying friendly competition, or connecting with colleagues outside the workplace, these shared moments strengthen emotional ties.
4. Building Trust and Support
For romantic partners, exercising together builds trust and deepens the relationship, while for colleagues, it encourages teamwork and collaboration. Each partner—romantic or not—provides emotional support during challenging moments, strengthening both personal and professional relationships.
5. Expanding Social Networks
Exercising with a partner can lead to meeting new people and broadening your social circle. Fitness classes, team sports, or group runs create opportunities to form friendships outside of your usual social group, enhancing both personal and professional networks.
6. Providing a New Activity to Strengthen Relationships
Working out with a partner isn’t just about staying active—it’s a great way to strengthen relationships. Exercising together creates shared experiences, building deeper connections and positive memories. It also provides built-in motivation, keeping both individuals accountable and engaged. Over time, these shared fitness moments can enhance trust, communication, and overall wellbeing.
Less partying, more fitness! Current trends around evolving social preferences
For those looking to find love, engaging in sociable fitness activities can be a great way to meet a romantic partner. It’s becoming an increasingly popular way to connect, especially among younger generations, according to a Flora report.
The survey revealed that one in three (30%) of 16-24-year-olds use fitness activities to meet partners, with the most popular sports including swimming, exercising in the gym, outdoor running, and cycling.
But meeting through exercise isn’t just about forming romantic connections—it’s also a great way to build friendships. More than a quarter of us enjoy working out with friends as a way to catch up, while 18% of us have also formed new friendships at the gym.
Increased interest in fitness is reframing the way we socialise. Nearly a third of us now prefer a group workout session over going out and drinking at the weekend. Alcohol is far less beneficial to employee performance, with up to 5% of absences from work expected to involve alcohol consumption in some way. By helping employees engage in fitness activities, they’ll have a healthier alternative to choose when planning social activities with their friends, helping them to come to work energised and alert, rather than tired and hungover.
Why not share a little ‘love’ with your employees this valentines day?
Help your staff to form valuable social connections outside work, by providing them with flexible, discounted access to Hussle’s network of 1,500+ fitness venues as an employee benefit. They’ll be healthier and more productive at work, while you’ll build a better workplace culture and be recognised as a great place to work.
