Travis Neighbor Ward

According to Skip Hamilton, co-coach of the U.S. Olympic cross-country ski team, cycling endurance team member, and Aspen Club sports medicine therapist, men and women often don't exercise together because they're physically mismatched.

"I see couples come in here all the time saying that they're unable to do sports together," says Hamilton. "The man is usually stronger, so the woman can't keep up. But it's all a matter of adjusting the balance." The key, he explains, is to alter the workout to even out the disparity, mainly by increasing the challenge for the man. Here are some of his ideas.

HIKING AND SKIING "Load the man up," Hamilton says, "and make him do the talking. This will give the woman a chance to breathe more easily and keep up the pace." For example, have him carry the backpack and the water bottle.

CYCLING Slightly deflate the man's bike tires, slightly overinflate the woman's. And give him a heavier frame to ride, such as a mountain bike.

ROLLERBLADING "Equal out the resistance." That means putting slower wheels on his blades, faster ones on hers.

RUNNING "It's one of the few sports in which there's little you can do to slow someone down," Hamilton explains. "It's too biomechanically sensitive." The one thing you can adjust safely is the man's weight-as long as it's distributed correctly. For example, he can wear heavier running shoes, wrist or hand weights, or a weighted vest, which keeps the resistance at his center of gravity. Do not add a backpack or ankle weights: These may alter his biomechanics too much and cause injury.

WALKING "Treadmills side by side, set at a conversational pace, can be a great social outing," states Hamilton.


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