By Jungsuh Kim
Couples who work out together stay together…or do they? According to a recent article by the New York Post, the latest New York City dating trend is squeezing in both a workout and time with a significant other or a date.
One New Yorker in this article said that he has taken five different girls to a cycling class in the past six months. This shows that not only is it a couples trend but also a dating trend.
New Yorkers are notorious for always being pressed for time, and when it comes to dating, there are no exceptions. The latest dating trend has people going on “exer-dates,” or dates at the gym. One must wonder then if “exer-dates” are really an effective way to get to know someone on a time crunch, or if they are in fact just an excuse to squeeze in some extra gym time.
Pat Moriarty, GSB ’14, weighed in on this trend. “I think it’s successful if social media isn’t involved,” he said. “I think working out together makes it easier to get to know someone and gets you more motivated to work out.”
With many people using their phones for music or updating their social media to pass their time at the gym, it seems improbable for people to engage in conversation, let alone qualify as a date. After working out for a long time, it is not uncommon to become red faced, sweaty and short of breath. So is inviting your potential significant other to the gym just outright inconsiderate?
Sofia Sarubbi, GSB ’16, thinks it all depends on how you choose to spend your time. “If they’re working out and they’re interactive, it’s a good way to get to know each other, but if the couples are just trying to get their workout done, it’s not really spending quality time together.”
Having someone there for support is very helpful, especially if you are someone who normally does not go to the gym alone. A potential or current significant other gives you an extra boost of motivation that encourages you to work harder than usual in order to make a good impression upon him or her.
Julianne Marzulla, FCRH ’14, is a firm believer in couple workouts. “My boyfriend and I have been dating for four years. When we go to the gym together, it’s great because we can motivate each other to work harder. We don’t necessarily work out next to each other but going together makes it much more comfortable.”
By physically separating themselves, they prevent conversation from occurring and stifle interaction.
According to Fitness magazine, 94 percent of couples stick with their workout regime when they do it together.
But, is this really effective in getting to know someone or is this just a way to get extra motivation for the gym? Kelly Walsh, FCRH ’17, agrees with Marzulla. “We motivate each other to do things. He’s my motivation to keep going. The fact that he’s there pushes me more. I think it’s fun to go together but [I]don’t think it’s a good way to get to know someone,” said Walsh.
Effectively getting to know someone involves deep conversations and spending a lot of time together. The sole purpose of a date is for people to become more acquainted with each other. If couples go to the gym only to motivate each other, can we really say they are getting to know one another?
“I think ‘gym-dates’ are more of an excuse to go to the gym rather than getting to know someone,” said Sarubbi.
Couples can only successfully get to know each other if they choose to spend the entire time at the gym together. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
According to Fitness magazine, 94 percent of couples stick with their workout regime when they do it together.
Nadine Vicens, the security officer at McGinley Fitness Center, observes many Fordham students going for their workouts daily.“I see a lot of students come into the gym. Some of them are couples. Most of them will come into the gym together but separate to do their individual workouts.”
The couples who come into the gym to work out “together” do not even exercise next to each other. By physically separating themselves, they prevent conversation from occurring and stifle interaction.
“The trend isn’t really seen a lot here in McGinley, but there are couples who do work out together,” said Sarah Bickfod, the administrator of fitness and recreation. “For the couples who do decide to work out together a lot of the times it is the guy leading the girl. In other cases, [it is] one athletic girl is working out with a bunch of guys.”
Ms. Bickford goes on to talk about more general fitness centers. “In terms of other sports clubs and gyms outside of Fordham, I think the trend to work out together exists but is usually among husbands and wives. Depending on the guy’s ego, they’ll take a fitness class with the wife.”
Young adults and college students have a lot in common in that both have limited time, both experience many relationships at their age and both struggle to balance both their social and work/academic lives. It is understandable that young adults and college students try to coordinate dates around time at the gym, as maintaining physical well-being is an important concern.
However, no matter how well you may get to know someone at the gym, it is crucial to establish a connection beyond treadmills and weights. Gym time is only one aspect of someone’s life and may not give you the whole picture of who they really are.
