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Is love life working out?

By Lisa Ryckman, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 5, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Gentlemen: The only thing a woman loves more than a man who works out is a man who works out with her.

So it follows that the more time you spend in the gym, the better your sex life will be. More good news: We're talking quantity and quality.

A University of California study found that sedentary, middle-aged men (sound like anybody you know?) had more sex and more satisfaction after just one hour of exercise three times a week.

Sociologists at Bentley College in Massachusetts found that a dreary sex life has more to do with health and attitude than aging. Their study of a group of women over 40 who exercised an hour a day, five days a week, found that they had sex more often - about seven times a month - and had more fun doing it.

I know what you're thinking: With all this exercising going on, when will you have time for sex? That's a mighty good question, and the short answer is: I have no idea.

Meanwhile, make the most of the time you have by exercising together. With the help of personal trainer Rudy McClinon Jr. (more about him at ruapro-fitness.com), I've put together a quick and fun partners workout. You'll need a couple of towels or mats, a stability ball, a resistance tube and a medicine ball (although an unweighted ball works, too). So give it a go: A workout with your sweetie can strengthen your bodies and your relationship.

Lisa Ryckman is certified by the American Council on Exercise as a personal trainer, fitness instructor and weight management consultant. Ryckmanl@RockyMountainNews.com

Medicine Ball Under and Over

*Works: Upper back, shoulders, quads, glutes, abs

*How to: Stand back to back, about 18 inches away from each other, feet hip distance apart. One person holds the ball waist-high. Both partners bend forward, knees soft, so the person with the ball can pass it off between her legs to her partner. Her partner takes the ball, then both stand and raise their arms and lean back slightly as he passes it to her overhead.

*Repeat: 8 to 12 times, alternating directions.

Medicine Ball Twist (not pictured)

* Works: Core, mainly obliques; upper body

* How to: Stand back to back, feet hip distance apart. One person holds the medicine ball waist-high. Without moving your feet, turn your upper body to the right and pass the ball to your partner. Your partner then turns to his right and passes the ball back to you.

* Repeat: 8 to 12 times, alternating directions.

*Medicine Ball Double Crunch

*Works: Abs, upper and lower

*How to: Lie on your backs, knees bent, feet on the floor and almost touching. Hands should be behind your heads, fingertips touching lightly behind your ears. One person should have a medicine ball between his or her feet. Both partners slowly crunch up, and the person with the ball should grip it and lift it a few inches off the floor. Lower to a count of four and release the ball, allowing your partner to pick it up with his or her feet.

*Repeat: 8 to 12 times.

Abs for Two

* Works: Core, mainly lower abs

* How to: Lie on your backs, head to head, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. One person has the stability ball between their legs. Grip the ball with your knees and lift it off the ground and toward your head. Engage your core muscles as you raise the ball. When the ball is above your midsection, reach up and grab it with both hands and pass it back over your head to your partner's hands. The partner raises both legs until knees are lined up over hips, then places the ball between his knees and lowers the ball to the floor.

* Repeat: 8 to 12 times.

Resistance Row (not pictured)

* Works: Back, shoulders, core

* How to: Sit facing each other, feet anchored against each other, sole to sole. One partner holds both ends of a resistance tube with arms extended, while the other grasps the tube in the center. The partner holding the handles pulls back until her arms are bent at a 90-degree angle and her elbows are close to her sides. The other partner maintains constant resistance on the tube throughout the row.

* Repeat: 8 to 12 times, then switch roles for 2-3 sets.

Medicine Ball Toss Up

* Works: Shoulders, chest, core

* How to: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a medicine ball above your chest with arms extended. Have your partner stand a few feet away from your feet. Lower the ball behind your head, touching the floor if possible. Crunch up and throw the ball when your arms are over your chest and midsection. Hold that position as your partner tosses the ball back. Return to the starting position.

* Repeat: 8 to 12 times, then switch positions.

Comments

  • February 5, 2008

    10:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Kslayer writes:

    Good luck. It maybe true that working out together would make a great sex life, but most of the people that work out on a regular basis are to into themselves to be in a commited relationship.

  • February 5, 2008

    1 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    davies writes:

    I don't understand the basic premise of this article. Neither study (as summarized by the writer) supports either of her opening statements. One study says that middle aged men who exercise regularly enjoy more sex. The other study says that middle aged women who exercise regularly enjoy more sex. Neither of these studies appear to conclude that women necessarily like to work out with their partners, or that the more time one spends in the gym, the better one's sex life will be. The only conclusion to be made from the studies is that middle aged people who exercise regularly tend to enjoy more sex than people who don't. Duh.