A Game for Two: Sports for

A GAME FOR TWO: SPORTS FOR BOTH OF YOU

by Elhusseni Fekry

Everything is better with your significant other. Even playing sports. Yes! You can actually plan to work out together and have the time of your lives! Most sports that get coverage in Egypt are team sports; let’s not forget that Egypt’s official number one sport is football. Yet there are plenty of other sports and workout routines that can be suitable for just the two of you.

BENEFITS OF WORKING OUT WITH YOUR PARTNER

A. CHANGE OF ROUTINE It can be a good change of routine. In a way, it’s a new activity other than visiting clubs, dining in restaurants, or chilling in cafés. Working out together can be this new adventure that would make your weekend all the more exceptional. And if it ended up being part of your routine, even better for your health.

B. BONDING It helps you get closer to each other. You would be surprised that you will find new ways to bond with your significant other when you work out together. As you motivate, compete, and even challenge each other; you help to grow as individuals and as a couple. C. MOTIVATION It’s always said that in order to maintain a workout schedule, you should have a workout partner. Having your significant other as your partner can be a great motivation for a workout. In the noisy, fastpaced life we are living, you may find that you are looking forward to quality time with your partner.

Your partner who happens to be an athlete can help you by giving you inside information about how to up your game and how to avoid injuries and the like. Also, if one of you is a bit shy, it can be a great confidence boost for them. Us against the world, don’t you think?

There are many sports that you can practice with your partner and even more workout routines that can be both fun and beneficial at the same time.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES:

TENNIS It would be a shame not to start with tennis; it’s basically a sport for two, as if it’s tailored for this purpose. Tennis is generally one of the best sports that boosts metabolism since it’s a really good workout. There are even some cardio tennis drills that require less competition and allow you to just goof around.

If you are not a big fan of the outdoors, you can resort to squash. Even playing some light table tennis can be a good alternative. And if you’re a summer person, you know that beach racket is something we all wait for after the winter chills thaw off!

RUNNING/JOGGING Running is the most basic of sports. Nearly all sports require a degree of it. No matter how fit you are and accustomed to running, it can get pretty lonely. Especially if you run for half-marathons.

The more you feel the passage of time, the more it will feel tiresome to go on. However, having your partner as your running buddy can make this daunting chore a lot more fun. You can keep each other company, and the workout can be more relaxing depending on the routes you choose. Also, there are beautiful streets in Cairo that are waiting for you to rediscover together.

SWIMMING Most doctors recommend swimming as a solid alternative to running. If we say that you can only choose one sport in general, that would have to be swimming. It doesn’t require much fitness, as a matter of fact, it helps increase it.

Swimming not only helps to relieve back pain, especially lower and middle back pain, but it also provides a zero-tension environment for limbs. It is one of the best sports that jumpstarts your metabolism with the least effort and time possible.

Doing laps around the pool with your significant other can be a nice workout for you to share, especially during the scorching summer months. GYM If you’re not a fan of the outdoors, you can still compete with each other in indoor exercises. A lot of gyms offer you a wide selection of programs that makes working out more fun. There are even certain workout routines that are tailored to couples.

YOGA Yoga can either look very easy or very difficult to you. The best thing about yoga is you can practice it anywhere, whether indoors or outdoors. It doesn’t require a lot of movement and you can just remain in one position for a while. That will surely leave your muscles sore, but way more relaxed.

Practicing yoga with your partner can make things have a sense of amiability, especially if you are both beginners; you will fall down...a lot! But it would be great fun, nonetheless.

CYCLING If you have the time and the proper gear, cycling can be an underrated opportunity for some quality sport time. Make sure not to pick a crowded route. You can find bicycle-friendly streets and trails in Maadi and Zamalek.

Don’t forget that you can rally about and finish your errands way faster than when riding your car, as cycling can be a faster mean of commuting in busy narrow streets.

HIKING This may be a less familiar option, but hiking can actually be one of the best sports for couples. City life can be dull; you may feel that it affects the flow of your relationship and that you guys need to do something new.

Hiking in Mount Sinai in Saint Catherine is indeed one of these new activities that are starting to gain popularity in Egypt. Don’t worry, if you feel that this long haul is a bit too challenging, you can ease up on lighter challenges in Wadi Degla Protectorate.

You may not see it, but the beautiful and calm nature can spice up your relationship. Who would say no to a chance to lighten up away from the banging beats of the concrete jungle?

Now you can spend some quality time with each other and burn a few calories at the same time, a win-win, right?!