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May 2010  |  By Christy Coughlin  |  Comments (0)

Get Your Guy Moving

TAGS: June 2010 magazine, exercise, fitness

As a wife and mom, I have to stay fit, and I also have to encourage my husband, kids, and even the dog to stay fit. My kids are easy, they have organized swimming and soccer, and, given free time, they will jump on the trampoline for hours.

My husband, with his busy work and family schedule, is another story. My guy looks very fit, but it’s a struggle for him to stay consistent with his workouts. Here are a few strategies I have employed to keep him moving.

Educate the Man
Leave or send articles touting the benefits of yoga, effectiveness of interval training and the latest core exercises. Leave a sticky note and pose a question like, “Have you tried these exercises?” Subscribe to Men’s Health or Outside for more support.

Spend Cash
Today, investing in ourselves—especially in our health—delivers the best returns. Consider a new road bike, personal trainer, series of pilates classes or a treadmill. Knowing that hard-earned money was spent, he will not let it go to waste.

Make Him Look Good
Lululemon has some great clothes for guys that are multipurpose, functional, and look awesome. He will go to the gym more often if he feels and looks good. The old adage “the clothes make the man” fits here.

Put It In Writing
Plan two weeks of workouts in advance. Include the type of workout and location. Figure a compromise on the weekends, with each of you taking a day, or tag team, with the early bird out first.

Be Creative
My husband uses two small health clubs, one by work and another in Wilmette. He discovered a great forest preserve trail near his office. Encourage your guy to take advantage of travel and hotels with fitness facilities. Send links to scenic routes for walking or running in destination cities.

Make Him Accountable
Be subtle, but ask about his workout. Email him, “I just had the best tennis match! You should have seen my serve. How was the club? I need some ideas for the elliptical, what did you do?” Knowing he is accountable will nudge him out the door.

Expand His Repertoire
Gift him a foray into an intriguing sport. Kayaking lessons will get him on the water and may hook him for life. His 40s and 50s are a great time to take up a new activity and find the hockey player, rock climber or yogi inside.