Couples Who Work Out Together, Stay Together

Workout Buddies: There are countless versions of “couples who do X together, stay together,” and new research out of Brigham Young University (BYU) adds exercise to the list. The findings suggest that couples who do physical activity together report higher relationship satisfaction. 

The Study: The researchers examined data from nearly 1,700 young married couples in the U.S. Each couple reported how frequently they exercised, individually and together with their spouse. They also reported assessments of “marital communication, conflict resolution, and conflict.” After analyzing the data, the researchers concluded that exercising together was significantly associated with improved conflict resolution, better communication, and lower overall levels of marital conflict. The number-one reported form of joint exercise was walking, which the researchers said provides an opportunity for conversation. 

Takeaway: Exercising with your spouse could improve your relationship by way of improving communication and conflict resolution skills. And it doesn’t have to be costly or intense: taking a simple walk seems to be impactful. 

Keep in Mind: You don’t have to do everything together, all the time. Some marriage counseling professionals say that couples with different hobbies can thrive, too.