7 fitness-themed dates perfect for Valentine’s Day
You're both hardcore athletes with a competitive streak. You both met at the gym. You both live in spandex. So this year, make Valentine's Day your best opportunity yet to get your sweat on together—because there's no better warmup than a workout.
When you and your better half are a match made in fitness heaven, the old Valentine’s Day date standbys—dinner and movie—might not cut it. And a box of chocolate hearts might not be in her meal plan.
And while you could invest in plenty of Valentine’s gifts—whether creative, fitness-themed, or travel-minded—that doesn’t absolve you from planning a date night she’ll love.
So this year, skip the cliché rigmarole and instead plan a workout date that elevates your heart rate and gets both of you into some spandex.
7 fitness-themed dates perfect for Valentine’s Day
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Rock climbing
Your local rock climbing gym likely has day passes that cost less than what you’d pay for a candlelit dinner. While climbing may seem more like play than work, it’s actually a great total-body workout with some cardio mixed in. Pass a basic belay test, and you’ll be able to spot one another as you climb, which provides a great trust-building exercise and a nice view of your better half’s lower half.
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Partner yoga
Ranging from sensual to acrobatic, partner yoga classes offer a wide variety of poses and practices. Working with one another to achieve poses that balance off one another will get you cozy with your S.O. right there in the studio. And because the poses are a little intimate, the normal solemnity of yoga is replaced by a gentle and flirtatious practice that will have you both giggling.
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Kickboxing
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a quick jab to the face.Jokes aside, kickboxing is perfect for two as you can alternate who’s holding the pads and who’s punching away. The sweat-inducing workout will also keep you on your toes, just like an exciting relationship. Right? Right.
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Zumba
While this workout probably isn’t in your normal repertoire, it’ll have your lady shaking her hips while you laugh and try to keep up (unless you’re a competitive salsa dancer or something, in which case go you). Zumba classes often incorporate short breaks between songs, so you’ll get quick moments to tease and flirt mid-workout. And if you’re a competitive fit couple, giving her the upper hand in a workout is a gift more valuable than jewelry. (Just don’t let her know it.)
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Pole dancing
Before you say this isn’t a workout, give it a try. The amount of upper-body strength you need to appear even remotely sexy is shocking. Chances are, you’ll both end up skidding down the pole with an unattractive squuueeeaaak, but laughter is almost certainly guaranteed.
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Boot camp
If you’re a competitive couple, a circuit-based boot camp class will either thrill or kill you. Think you can do more kettlebell swings in a minute? Well, she might have you beat on plank jacks. For a more collaborative experience, try encouraging each other through the pain of your sixth round of jump-lunges. Nothing like a little eau de perspiration to heat up the evening’s mood.
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HIIT Trampoline class
Harken back to your childhood and burn your calories bouncing around. Many trampoline parks now offer adults-only fitness classes during which you jump, jog, and flip through an agility-based, low-impact routine that can burn up to 1,000 calories. Pack some orange slices, granola bars, and (if it fits) your favorite old-school gym gear, and you’ve got a unique throwback date ready to go.
Your local rock climbing gym likely has day passes that cost less than what you’d pay for a candlelit dinner. While climbing may seem more like play than work, it’s actually a great total-body workout with some cardio mixed in. Pass a basic belay test, and you’ll be able to spot one another as you climb, which provides a great trust-building exercise and a nice view of your better half’s lower half.
Partner yoga
Ranging from sensual to acrobatic, partner yoga classes offer a wide variety of poses and practices. Working with one another to achieve poses that balance off one another will get you cozy with your S.O. right there in the studio. And because the poses are a little intimate, the normal solemnity of yoga is replaced by a gentle and flirtatious practice that will have you both giggling.
Kickboxing
Nothing says “I love you” quite like a quick jab to the face.
Jokes aside, kickboxing is perfect for two as you can alternate who’s holding the pads and who’s punching away. The sweat-inducing workout will also keep you on your toes, just like an exciting relationship. Right? Right.
Zumba
While this workout probably isn’t in your normal repertoire, it’ll have your lady shaking her hips while you laugh and try to keep up (unless you’re a competitive salsa dancer or something, in which case go you). Zumba classes often incorporate short breaks between songs, so you’ll get quick moments to tease and flirt mid-workout. And if you’re a competitive fit couple, giving her the upper hand in a workout is a gift more valuable than jewelry. (Just don’t let her know it.)
Pole dancing
Before you say this isn’t a workout, give it a try. The amount of upper-body strength you need to appear even remotely sexy is shocking. Chances are, you’ll both end up skidding down the pole with an unattractive squuueeeaaak, but laughter is almost certainly guaranteed.
Boot camp
If you’re a competitive couple, a circuit-based boot camp class will either thrill or kill you. Think you can do more kettlebell swings in a minute? Well, she might have you beat on plank jacks. For a more collaborative experience, try encouraging each other through the pain of your sixth round of jump-lunges. Nothing like a little eau de perspiration to heat up the evening’s mood.
HIIT Trampoline class
Harken back to your childhood and burn your calories bouncing around. Many trampoline parks now offer adults-only fitness classes during which you jump, jog, and flip through an agility-based, low-impact routine that can burn up to 1,000 calories. Pack some orange slices, granola bars, and (if it fits) your favorite old-school gym gear, and you’ve got a unique throwback date ready to go.
