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The Science Behind Sweating Together: It’s Not Just a Saying

by Jaime B.

We’ve all heard it before: couples that sweat together, stay together. Makes sense, right? But is it actually true? As it turns out, yes. Researchers have uncovered several ways that being active with your date, long-term partner, or spouse can solidify a bond.

The Happy Factor

It’s no secret: physical activity makes you happy. When you exercise, your body releases a chemical called endorphins, explains personal trainer Fiona Ho in her article “Couples who sweat together, stay together,” that appeared in the Toronto Star. “They’re stuff that trigger positive feelings in your body, and make you feel brand new and shiny all over,” Ho explains. “For instance, the feeling that follows a good workout is often described as ‘euphoric’.” According to Ho, these good feelings lead to a more positive outlook in general – once of the biggest predictors of a strong relationship.

Love Potions

A racing pulse, sweaty hands, shortness of breath – running a few miles and feeling the power of attraction are very similar physical states. A landmark study published in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 1974 found that it’s common for people to mistake the two feelings. For example, they might be physically aroused, but confuse that for powerful romantic feelings. Theresa E. DiDonato, Ph.D., a social psychologist and an assistant professor at Loyola University, suggests working out with a crush for that very reason. “Use this phenomenon to your advantage by inviting your romantic interest to work out with you,” she writes in her article “5 Reasons Why Couples Who Sweat Together, Stay Together” in Psychology Today. “The results? A likely boost to your attractiveness in his or her eyes.”

Ties That Bind

Lifting weights in rhythm, matching your walking or running pace, tossing a medicine ball back and forth – when you’re working out with your date or partner, you’re not just having fun with a person you care about. You’re actually creating something called “nonverbal matching,” according to Dr. DiDonato. “Nonverbal mimicry helps people feel emotionally attuned with one another, and those who experience or engage in it tend to report greater feelings of having ‘bonded’ with their partner,” she writes.