Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

Station residents celebrated Valentine’s Day early in the IronWorks Gym aerobics room here as station residents worked up a sweat with their special someone in the Sweat With Your Sweetheart workout Feb.13, 2013.

The workout combined three different cardio aerobic classes designed for partners to worktogether.

“I thought it was great,” said Barbara Roman, Sweat-With-Your-Sweetheart participant. “This year, we had a lot more participation than we normally have. I think all the couples had a really great time.”

The event was not meant to just be a workout, but also a fun bond -building exercise.

“We shared a lot of laughs and that was the whole idea to come and celebrate Valentine’s Day in the heart-healthy way instead of your typical dinner out or chocolates,” said Roman. “This is a healthy way to begin Valentine’s Day and connect with your partner.”

Though the event is annual, many of the instructors have never taught this particular class before.

“I am the normal kickboxing course instructor,” said Sayaka Takabayashi, Sweat-With-Your Sweetheart aerobic kickboxing instructor. “It’s a very good event and compared to last year we had a much better turnout. I think it is because we did it the day before Valentine's Day. Having it a day before allows couples to sweat together during a workout, then do something sweet on Valentine’s Day itself.”

With so many different exercises and workouts, it was difficult for the participants to pick out their favorite portion.

“I think my favorite part was watching my husband try to be flexible. It was all fun, but my personal favorite was the kickboxing,” said Roman.

Sweat With Your Sweetheart is an annual event hosted aboard station and always occurs in close proximity to Valentine's Day.