Forget couples therapy or grand romantic gestures – scientists say the secret to a successful marriage could be working out together.
Researchers have discovered that exercising with your spouse is linked to better communication, stronger conflict resolution and lower levels of marital stress.
For their study, they analysed survey data from nearly 1,700 young married couples.
The team compared the effects of individual workouts and physical activity performed together on their relationship.
Analysis revealed that while both forms of exercise were linked to healthier marriages, couples who exercised together had more positive partnerships.
And it turns out going on a hike is best – as it creates the most opportunities for conversation.
‘Our findings suggest that conjoint exercise facilitates, in a small but significant way, the ability to resolve conflict peacefully,’ Professor Jeremy Yorgason, from Brigham Young University, said.
‘People reported more positive outcomes in communication and conflict resolution when they exercised together.’
Researchers have discovered that exercising with your spouse is linked to better communication, stronger conflict resolution and lower levels of marital stress. Pictured: Gordon Ramsey and his wife Tana during the Virgin London Marathon
The study, published in the journal Family Relations, revealed that only a small number of couples exercise as a team.
‘About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised, but only about a third exercised together,’ Professor Yorgason said.
‘That means about half the people who exercise are not exercising with their spouse.
‘While the impact is not necessarily large, it is very consistent, which gives me confidence that it is influencing relationships in some meaningful way.’
Other research has previously found that couples benefit from spending leisure time together.
But the researchers said exercising together creates more time to talk.
‘Out of all three outcomes, exercise had the biggest impact on communication,’ co-author Ashlyn Hiatt Mildenhall said.
‘That’s why it was interesting that walking was the number one reported exercise. It naturally provides opportunities to communicate.’
Working up a sweat: David and Victoria Beckham pictured exercising together. Experts said it can provide more opportunities to communicate
Walking was the most commonly reported form of shared exercise among couples in the study.
This suggests that couples don’t need expensive gym memberships or elaborate weight racks in the garage to reap the potential relationship benefits.
The researchers also found that couples who exercised together reported better listening and greater feelings of being heard and supported by their spouse.
Professor Yorgason said these interactions may help explain why shared exercise was associated with healthier communication and conflict resolution.
Overall, the team caution that shared exercise is not a cure for relationship challenges.
For many young couples, especially those raising children, exercising together may require intentionally carving out time.
However, they said conjoint exercise is one of many healthy habits families can adopt to create regular opportunities for connection amid the demands of school, life and parenting.
