Study Highlights Benefits of Exercising Together for Couples

We all know that exercising is great for both body and mind. A recent study from BYU, however, suggests that exercising as a couple might enhance relationships, too.

Published in Family Relations, the research discovered that couples who engage in physical activities together reported improved communication, better conflict resolution skills, and lower marital stress compared to those who exercised separately.

This study was led by Jeremy Yorgason, a professor at BYU’s School of Family Life, along with co-author Ashlyn Hiatt Mildenhall, who initially joined the project as an undergraduate at BYU.

“What we found indicates that exercising together plays a small but meaningful role in resolving conflicts peacefully,” Yorgason noted. “Participants reported more favorable communication and conflict resolution experiences after they exercised together.”

To gather their findings, the research team surveyed nearly 1,700 young married couples involved in the CREATE study, which has followed newlyweds across the U.S. for over a decade.

The team analyzed the effects of both individual workouts and couple exercises in relation to three key outcomes: communication, conflict resolution, and marital stress.

While individual exercise was linked to healthier marriages, working out together had an even more significant positive impact on relationship dynamics.

“About 60% of couples in our study said they worked out, but only a third did so together,” Yorgason observed. “That suggests that a large number of those who exercise do it solo. While the individual impact might not be huge, it consistently shows a connection to healthier relationships.”

Previous studies have also indicated that couples gain from spending leisure time together, but this particular research zoomed in on shared physical activities. Researchers believe that exercising together likely fosters positive interactions and opens up lines of communication, which can strengthen bonds over time.

Walking emerged as the favorite shared activity among couples in the study, implying that couples don’t necessarily need pricey gym memberships or elaborate setups at home to enjoy the relational benefits of exercising together.

Moreover, couples who worked out together expressed improved listening skills and felt more supported by their partners. Yorgason explained that these positive exchanges might be why shared exercise correlates with better communication and conflict resolution.

However, researchers caution that exercising together isn’t a fix-all for relationship troubles. For many young couples, especially those with children, dedicating time to work out together can be challenging. Still, they suggest that shared exercise is just one of many healthy habits couples can adopt to nurture their connections amidst the busy pace of everyday life.

Publication Details

Ashlyn Mildenhall et al, Conjoint Exercise among young married couples: Exploring associations with couple conflict, conflict resolution, and communication, Family Relations (2026). DOI: 10.1111/fare.70260