MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The IronWorks Gym held an annual Sweat with your Sweetheart class to have couples aboard the station celebrate Valentine’s Day by working out together here Feb. 14.
The class was taught by fitness instructors who shared their knowledge with the couples who attended.
“This event gives an opportunity for couples to sweat together and see a new side of their partner,” said Andrea Kawano, fitness trainer.
Most people don’t work out with their significant other, so this allowed a new view into the couple’s fitness styles and progress.
“Most of the times when people come to the gym, the men go to the weight room and women will come to yoga, Zumba or some other type of fitness training,” said Kawano. “This class provided a rare opportunity to see the other side of fitness for these couples.”
The couples who came to the class were allowed to come with anyone they wanted, which allowed for a broader turn-out.
“This event is unique to some other events where a couple has to be a man and a woman, but kids were allowed and a ‘couple’ didn’t have to be a male and female, some came with their friend,” said Kawano.
The overall turnout of the event consisted of a few married couples, along with two friends who came together and a mother and son. Her husband showed up later in the class to show his support but was unable to attend the course.
1st Lt. Mark J. Enoch, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron financial management officer, and his wife, Ariel Enoch, were one of the married couples who participated at the Sweat with your Sweetheart class, were happy they came.
“We had fun and we really didn’t expect to get such a great workout,” said the Enochs.
Yoga is a fitness exercise which allows the individual time to complete each technique on their own, or with a partner.
“Yoga is a great exercise which forces the individual to be patient and calm, but still provides an excellent total body experience,” said Prakai Parsons, fitness trainer.
Much of yoga is taught with slow, comforting music, allowing the body to relax and contract together which makes a great whole body exercise.
“Yoga really works out the entire body from the arms, chest and back all the way down to the legs while keeping core muscles tightened,” said Parsons.
The fitness portion of yoga was developed in India more than 5,000 years ago and has developed into an alternative for weightlifting.
“By holding positions and stretches in yoga, or other fitness programs, it allows you to have consistent pressure where as in common weightlifting there are short powerful bursts to your muscles,” said Parsons.
The main focus of this class was to allow couples to experience something new with someone close to them who they don’t normal work out with.
“Hopefully this class will open the door to more couples working out together and trying new things in the way of fitness,” said Parsons.
People tend to work out with others who have their same style, strength or progression.
From time to time it’s nice to take a break and enjoy working out with someone you really care for.