This Valentine’s Day, Get Fit Together

Harbinger’s Sweet and Sweaty Six

NAPA, Calif. – This February 14, do something different for your Valentine. Instead of sweets or flowers, give a gift that lets you both live a healthier and better life: become your sweetheart’s workout partner. Harbinger Fitness, the number one fitness accessories brand, recommends a workout partner, which keeps people motivated and helps them reach their fitness goals faster. And think of all the fun you can have training together. Here are Harbinger’s top six exercises for couples. Each can be performed with simple accessories that fitness-minded readers probably already have at home, or can find at a local sporting goods retailer.

1) Jump on the Bandwagon:
(2 Jump Ropes required)
Face each other, about 15 feet apart and jump slowly at first, in unison. After 30 seconds, begin again, staggering the start so that when one of you is up, the other is down. See if you can keep in sync both in unison and with the staggered start. Do this in 3 to 5 minute intervals, working up to 10 minutes in duration.

Stay in Sync: You sync your schedules, now you can sync your workout.

2) The Toss-Up
1 Weighted Fitness Ball (or medicine ball that bounces)
Stand facing each other, 6-8 feet apart, one of you holding fitness ball with arms straight down in front of legs. Both of you squat down, then as you both stand back up, ball-holder tosses the ball with straight arms to partner. Repeat 20 times.

Why this is a good one for couples: When things are getting heavy, isn’t it nice to have someone to share the load?

3) Lunge Plunge
1 Weighted Fitness Ball (or medicine ball)
Both face the same direction, shoulder to shoulder, one of you holding the ball with two hands. Both step forward into a lunge (only as long as the shortest of you can extend and maintain form). Pass the ball from your outside hand, under your front leg to your inside hand, then to your partner, who reaches with both hands, and brings ball to waist level as you both stand up. Repeat, alternating leading leg, handing ball back and forth. Focus on keeping the core steady and facing forward during this exercise. Do this 10 times per set, for 5 sets.

Nice to know: You’re both lunging toward the same goal: fitness!

4) Habeas Core-Pass
2 training balls
1 Weighted Fitness Ball (or medicine ball)

Sit on training balls, side by side. Lean back 45 degrees, keeping back straight and shoulders back. Holding the ball with both hands, bring the weighted fitness ball to your outside hip, then back past center to your partner, who does the same, then hands it back to you. Keep your abs contracted and your core stable. Repeat for 1 minute; switch sides for next set. Repeat this series 3 times.

What does that Latin phrase "habeas corpus" mean, anyway? How appropriate! It means, “you have the body!”

5) Push-Up Pals
2 sets of push-up bars (or 2 exercise mats)
Get into prone position facing each other, with hands on push-up bars, with your faces about 1 foot apart. Do 15 push-ups, maintaining eye contact. If you laugh, start over at “1.” Start with 15 push ups, work your way to 50.

The real test: Can you keep a straight face?

6) Finale. Finally!
2 exercise mats
A stretch at the end of your exercise date is essential. Place mats side-by-side and stretch together, taking turns deciding which stretch to do next. Take some slow, deep breaths as you stretch in unison. And take your time getting up; you never know where that deep, slow breathing will lead! Make sure you stretch for a minimum of 5 minutes per training session.

You’re already there, so: Take it to the mat?

About Harbinger Fitness
Harbinger is the leading fitness accessory company in the U.S. Based in Napa, Calif., Harbinger develops, produces and sells a full range of innovative, high-performance fitness products designed to enhance even the most rigorous training regimen. Harbinger’s products include fitness gloves and training gear such as balls, jump ropes, resistance cables, balance trainers and mats, which are distributed via sporting goods retailers, fitness specialty retailers and fitness clubs. For training tips, gear guides and additional information about Harbinger, visit www.harbingerfitness.com.

# # #

Note to editors: Samples and high-res images of all fitness products mentioned are available from Harbinger Fitness upon request. Please contact Renee Davidson at renee@campbellconsulting.com or 541-350-3525.