Tonight’s date night and it’s a first date, no pressure right.  You might have butterflies swarming in your stomach or some other nervousness going on.  Every piece of clothing and every hair is perfectly chosen and placed.  You doubled checked you have deodorant on and then added some cologne on top of that.  We have all gone through our own predate rituals and double checks before heading out.  In the end most of us we are nervous going in.  We fidget and worry until enough alcohol is in us or maybe something clicks with the person we are meeting.  Would it not be nice to skip the first awkward stages of a first date?  Imagine starting off more relaxed and with side of extra confidence.   There are two words to think about ‘predate workout.’   Ok so hang in there.  The words fitness, exercise, and health are thrown at us frequently from any screen we look at.  I don’t want to add to it, but I promise this is different.  So why a pre-date workout? Getting into shape is not the whole point, though it is a great benefit.  Remember the nervousness and anxiety I mentioned earlier the pre-date workout is your remedy.

Why Pre-Date Workouts Help Kill Nerves:

Endorphins oh sweet endorphins:  

Whether you are pumping iron, running a 5k, or playing a sport exercise causes endorphins to be released in your body.  What do these endorphins do for you; well the short answer is they make you mentally feel better.  There is a reason the term runner’s high is used.  With those endorphins in your system your nervousness is cut down if not gone.  One thing you don’t want is for your date to feel your uneasiness. The endorphins are also generally good for your mental health in the long run too.

Relaxing hot shower:

Yes this seems stupid or obvious.  Of course you are going to shower after working out and going to your date.  This is important for this discuss for two reasons.  One: after exercising your pores are more open.  Two: relaxation is good for confidence and metal health.  If you feel fresh and your skin feels the best it has all day, you will have nothing but good vibes going into the first date.  With fresh clean clothes on top of the shower you will be 110%.  I can personal say the best showers in my life are after my muscles are tired and the feeling of them relaxing from the wonderful hot water is the best.  

Lower body energy=less fidgeting:

You do not, I need to stress this, need to break yourself exercising before your first date.  A pre-date workout is not an uber intense activity.  Unless that is the type of person you are, so you do you.  The goal is to make yourself feel better and more confident for your date, now to original point of this section.  From personal experience I can say with my body slightly tired from playing tennis, soccer, or from kickboxing fitness class before a date my body never fidgeted.  I never worried what my arms and legs were doing.  With the exercise your body will not be fidgeting because it is repairing and recovering from your pre-date workout.  It will also be feeling great and relaxed from your shower too.  

Higher mental energy= more smiles

While your body will be tired from exercise your mind will be alert and awake.  Now some people do get a boost of energy from working out not all of us do.  A more alert and focused mind will keep your head where it needs to be.  Along with the endorphins you will be a more happy and friendly person on the date.  Your first impression will hit home better.  

A Healthily feeling improves confidence:

Confidence is something we all can struggle with in dating and life in general.  Like it or not exercise and fitness led you to acquiring a healthily feeling.  Nothing beats feeling good about yourself with a healthily vibe on top of it.  Diet goes with this one unless you are one of a few people who can eat whatever and be fine.  Small steps go a long way to being healthier.  When you feel good and healthy you are physically and mentally ready for any first date.   There are other more specific benefits from a predate workout such as swelling your muscles temporary, but I will leave those other options to those who wish that.  The points listed above are ones I believe everyone can benefit from no matter your body type or fitness level. 

Suggested predate workouts:

Whatever you pick to do it needs to last at least thirty minutes to really get your body going.  The easiest ones are running and swimming.  Put those running shoes on or hop in a pool and get your cardio on.  Do you play a sport, great!  Scheduling a date after a playing a sport can become a logistical nightmare but if you can do it awesome.  A side benefit with sports, you have an ice breaker for the date.  Remember you don’t want to be exhausted for your date, so don’t be stupid.  For those who none of these will do here are some links to workouts for both at home and the gym.

1. From home
   • https://introvertedalpha.com/pre-date-workout/
2. For the slightly more intense workout
   • http://www.menshealth.co.uk/building-muscle/get-big/friday-night-workout
3. For more detail on types of exercises and the whys
   • https://gymjunkies.com/the-best-pre-big-date-workout/

Be sure to check out Do’s and Don’ts of A First Date