Partner up: a tag-team circuit for two

The American College of Sports Medicine notes that exercise people find enjoyable can help them stick with it, and social support is one of the strategies that helps. A workout partner can give you both.

Try this today: set a timer for 40 seconds. Person A does the move while Person B counts reps and cheers. Then swap. Work through the list two or three times:

1. Sit-to-stands from a sturdy chair
2. Wall push-ups
3. Calf raises holding the counter

Finish together: face each other and march on the spot for 60 seconds, matching each other's pace. Then do 5 slow mini squats, with a high-five at the top of each.

Choose versions that suit each of you. One partner can do the seated version of any move while the other stands, so you can train together even when your fitness levels differ.

Canada's movement guidelines recommend strength work at least twice a week, so put two sessions on your shared calendar.

Safety note: Keep it friendly, not competitive. Each person works at their own pace and stops if anything hurts.

Sources

• ACSM Position Stand: Quantity and Quality of Exercise (Garber et al., 2011) (opens in a new tab)
• Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults 18-64 (CSEP) (opens in a new tab)