Dinner and a nightcap can make for a nice date, but what about when you want something to show a little more creativity? A little more activity? Something that might get the heart rate up and impress that special someone, be it your spouse, long-term squeeze, or new interest?
Get your mind out of the gutter; I’m talking about a fitness-themed date. While many of the activities discussed here on Be Well Dallas might make for a good date, here are several of our favorite suggestions:
Dance Lessons
A physical, fun, partnership-oriented activity, dance lessons make for a great couple’s night out. “You have to use your mind to get your body moving, and that has real benefits,” explains Elaine Hewlett of ballroom dance studio the Rhythm Room. Fellas, take note: Hewlett claims that it’s men who most often propose an evening of cutting a rug. “The guy plans a surprise night, perhaps for an anniversary. The couple will have a dance lesson and then go to dinner nearby. If you really want a big night, you can even plan to go dancing after dinner to show off your new moves,” Hewlett says. For a private lesson at The Rhythm Room, couples pay $85 for a 50-minute session. They’ll have the dance floor all to themselves (with the teacher, of course). Contact Hewlett directly, either via email or at 214-228-4454, to get Baby out of the corner and onto the dance floor.
Paintball
Not only is shooting colorful pellets the sort of crazy date you see in rom–coms, it has the makings of a perfect fitness outing for a couple in real life as well. While there are periods of sitting, hiding, and waiting in paintball (to avoid getting shot), you have to run, sprint, and jump also (to avoid getting shot). Other plusses include the social aspect, competition, stress release, and good old-fashioned fun. Sure, it may hurt a little bit at times (when you can’t avoid getting shot), but you know what they say: no pain, no gain. With indoor and outdoor fields nearby, and a cost in the $25 to $50 range for day passes and equipment, this date seems like a no brainer, bro.
The Katy Trail
This urban path has rightfully become a vital slice of the Dallas landscape. Rather than recap all of its merits, however, let us plan your date. You can bike, walk, run, or even rollerblade (if that’s your thing) on the 3.5 mile trail. After you finish your workout, reward yourself, and your date, with a drink and a bite at Company Cafe or Katy Trail Ice House. If you go early in the day, the temperatures won’t be too brutal, and the restaurants won’t be (too) packed.
Tennis
No guarantees that you and your date will be the next Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, but research does show that couples who play together, stay together. With a need for speed, strength, and agility, tennis offers many benefits, including increased muscle tone and flexibility. Plus, you can get competitive and play singles, or find another couple and play doubles. If you go the singles route, you can spice up the match with a little gambling: embarrass yourself in public, take a Pickle Back, get stuck with week of kiddo bedtime duty … the list is endless. We’ll leave the wager up to you. With several public courts around town, it won’t set your budget back at all, so long as you don’t lose that bet.
Golf
Playing golf with a partner can offer many options. It doesn’t have to be super-competitive, and you don’t have to be great at it. You can play a round of “best ball,” simply selecting the better of the two lies after you each take a tee shot, or if you want more direct competition, play straight up and see who can pull in the lowest score. As with tennis, some friendly competition can help liven up an otherwise normal round of golf. For a little more strenuous outing, you can walk the course with your bag, but if you’re feeling like you just want to drink beer in the sun while being mildly active, snag a cart. And, though it might be a lengthy endeavor, the time away from all the stresses of normal life will give you and your other half time to catch up or get to know each other better. Dallas has plenty of public golf course options, so you don’t have to be a member of Bushwood Country Club to woo your significant other on the greens.
