Regular exercise is widely known to support physical and mental health, but new research suggests it may also quietly strengthen marriages. A study from Brigham Young University (BYU) found that couples who are physically active together tend to communicate better and manage conflict more calmly.
The research, published in Family Relations, analyzed data from nearly 1,700 young married couples across the United States. Lead author Jeremy Yorgason, a professor in BYU’s School of Family Life, said shared exercise was associated with modest but consistent improvements in relationship quality.
How the study tracked couples
The findings come from the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences, or CREATE, study, which has followed newly married couples across the country for more than a decade. Participants regularly completed detailed surveys about their habits and relationship experiences.
Researchers examined how often spouses exercised individually and how frequently they exercised together. They then compared those patterns with three key measures of relationship health: communication, conflict resolution and marital stress.
Both individual and shared exercise were associated with better outcomes on average. However, physical activity performed together showed the clearest and most consistent links with stronger communication and healthier conflict management.
Why shared exercise stands out
Only about one-third of couples in the study reported exercising together, compared with roughly 60% who said they exercised at all. This suggests that many physically active spouses choose individual workouts rather than exercising with their partner.
Despite the modest size of the statistical effects, Yorgason said their consistency across different measures indicates that shared physical activity may influence relationships in a meaningful way. Couples who exercised together reported fewer communication breakdowns and lower levels of marital stress.
Co-author Ashlyn Hiatt Mildenhall noted that exercise appeared particularly helpful for everyday conversations. Couples who worked out together were more likely to report listening well to one another and feeling heard and supported by their spouse.
Walking together leads the way
Walking emerged as the most common form of shared exercise among participants, surpassing activities such as running, gym workouts and organized sports. Researchers say this finding is important because walking is free, accessible and relatively easy to incorporate into busy schedules.
Mildenhall pointed out that walking naturally creates opportunities for conversation, which may help explain its strong association with better communication. A simple evening walk can provide partners with a low-pressure setting to discuss daily stresses, future plans or unresolved issues.
The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that shared leisure time, particularly activities involving movement and face-to-face interaction, can help couples maintain a sense of closeness over the long term.
Not a cure-all, but a helpful habit
Researchers caution that exercising together is not a quick solution for serious relationship problems such as long-standing resentment, financial strain or emotional abuse. Professional counseling and other forms of support remain important when conflicts are deep or persistent.
For many couples, particularly those balancing school, careers and children, finding time for shared exercise can be challenging. The BYU team recommends starting small, such as taking short walks a few times a week, rather than committing to ambitious joint fitness plans that may be difficult to maintain.
Still, the findings suggest that regular shared activity can become one of several healthy habits that reinforce a marriage. Over time, these small and repeated moments of connection may help couples feel more like teammates and less like adversaries when disagreements arise.
Experts say the results are consistent with what is known about the role of positive daily interactions in supporting long-term relationship satisfaction. Even modest physical activities done together can create opportunities for encouragement, humor and partnership that may carry over into more difficult conversations.
