Almost half of couples in Germany never exercise together
Nearly half of all couples in Germany never exercise together, with another 17 per cent doing so less than once a month. People who do report being physically active as a couple tend to be walkers. In fact, 75 per cent go on strolls or hikes together. This was revealed in a representative survey commissioned by Galaxus in five countries.
«Babe, do you wanna go for a jog with me?» While some people might be happy to hear their partner ask this question, others might be less than keen. To find out which reaction is more common, online retailer Galaxus commissioned the market research firm YouGov to survey 2,608 people across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy and France. About two thirds of respondents said they were currently in a relationship. Only answers from these respondents were taken into account when evaluating the survey results.
Most people prefer exercising without their partner
About 70 per cent of people in the five countries surveyed exercise at least once a week. Even so, half of respondents in both Switzerland and Austria said they worked out with their partner less than once a month. In Germany and France, around two thirds of respondents said the same. Couples in Italy are less likely than any of their European counterparts to work out together. Six out of ten couples never do, while one in ten exercise together less than once a month.
Respondents in Austria were the most likely to say they exercised with their partner. One in five reported working out with their significant other several times a week. In Switzerland, the figure drops to just one in ten. Even so, Switzerland’s couples rank as the second most physically active in the comparison. Three out of ten exercise together at least once a week.
Most couples see jogging as a step too far
In every country surveyed, hiking and walking were the most popular sporting activities for couples. This is especially true in Switzerland, where three quarters of couples go walking or hiking together. Jogging, on the other hand, is a significantly less popular date activity. Respondents in Switzerland were the least likely to report going jogging with their partner (12 per cent). Meanwhile, in Germany, the figure was 15 per cent. In France and Italy, just under a quarter of respondents classed their significant other as a jogging buddy.
In Italy, cycling and swimming tend to be seen as solo activities – or at least not activities to do with a romantic partner. Only around one in ten people do these sports with their significant other. In other countries, significantly more couples go on bike rides with their partner.
Hardly anyone wishes their partner would exercise with them less often
Nearly one fifth of respondents in Germany want to do much more exercise with their partner, while one sixth of Austria’s respondents said the same. Aside from these outliers, respondents in all countries surveyed expressed similar wishes. Four in ten said they’d like to work out with their partner slightly more often, while another four in ten think they’ve already found the right balance. By contrast, hardly anyone wants to reduce the amount of time they spend exercising with their other half. In Italy, ten per cent of respondents said this was the case. In Switzerland, a paltry three per cent.
Couples in every country surveyed said they wanted to go walking or hiking with their partner more often. In Germany, just as many respondents (27 per cent) reported wanting to go swimming with their significant other more frequently. In Switzerland, a quarter of couples are keen to go dancing more often.
More about couples and exercise
Respondents rated several statements about doing exercise with their partner on a scale from one to five. The key findings were:
- Exercise is good for a relationship. Couples across Europe are broadly in agreement on this (3.5 was the average score across all countries). The presence of a partner isn’t really seen as motivation to exercise (2.8 to 3.1). Germany scores lowest on this, with 2.8.
- In some countries, including France (4.1) and Italy (3.9), exercise is seen as an important source of me-time. Respondents in Switzerland (3.7), Austria (3.6) and Germany (3.5) were slightly less likely to see things that way.
- In Italy, most people would like their partner to exercise more (3.5). Respondents in Switzerland were the least likely to agree with this statement (2.8).
The main takeaway here? Exercising with your partner is a good thing. As is doing it alone.
What kind of exercise do you enjoy doing with your partner? And please don’t say «the kind you do in bed». Thanks.
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