Couples Connection

By Chellee Unruh

The Spring Season truly is the best time to start getting more active. The weather is warmer and the options for physical activity increase with the ability to do more things outdoors like walking, hiking or golfing. It is the perfect time to develop a spring training routine that will help you get in shape for all of your favorite spring and summer activities. Many choose to train individually, but others see spring training as a way to spend more time together as a couple.

Working out with your significant other isn’t for everyone. While some couples can work out together with ease, other couples find that training with that person can put a strain on their relationship. Working out together has many benefits for your relationship, like encouraging both partners to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Training together is not only good for your physical health but for your emotional health as well. Couples that work out together can motivate each other and infuse their connection with positive vibes, increased endorphins, and reduced stress resulting in a happy and healthy relationship.

To determine if you are a good fit for training together, we created a quick guide that will help you weigh the pros and cons:

Do you have aligned fitness goals? The first step in determining if you are a good fit to train together is to assess each other’s fitness goals. If your goals are very different from each other, creating a workout routine that will be successful for both of you will take some planning.

If your goal as a couple is to run a 5K together, then you can create a routine designed to help you reach that goal together.

Do you have the same level of fitness? You also need to assess each other’s fitness levels. If your fitness levels are on opposite ends of the spectrum, creating a program that you will both enjoy will be challenging. For example, one person may feel an exercise is too hard while the other person feels the exercise is too easy. This problem can be overcome by creating individual routines that complement each other. For example, one may be doing the beginner exercise while your partner is doing a more advanced version of the same exercise. The best way to create a plan that fits both of your fitness levels is to select exercises that offer some flexibility like yoga, high-intensity interval training, or boxing.

Do your schedules allow for training together? One of the main roadblocks for couples to work out together is scheduling conflicts.

Finding a time that works for both partners’ schedules can be difficult. If you can’t sync your calendars to a dedicated workout time, it will prevent both of you from reaching your fitness goals. The way around this situation is to evaluate the priorities that take up your time and see if you can make adjustments that will allow working out together to become the higher priority.

How do you work together? Are you the type of couple that works well together, or do dual projects end up in an argument? Working out together can create a power imbalance in your relationship, so if you tend to be critical vs encouraging, then training as a couple might not be the best way to reach your fitness goals. However, if you are the type of partner that enjoys motivating and encouraging your partner, then working out together is a good way to achieve your fitness goals. It is easy to give up on yourself when you are working out alone but working out with a partner can help you stay committed to your workout routine.

By answering the questions in this guide honestly, you will be able to determine if a couple’s training program will be the right way to spring forward as a couple. n

Before investing, you should consider whether your state of residency, or your intended beneficiary’s state of residency, offers a state tax deduction or any other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in that state’s 529 savings program. The CollegeAccess 529 Plan is issued by the South Dakota Higher Education Savings Trust. The Program Manager and Underwriter for the CollegeAccess 529 Plan is VP Distributors, LLC, One Financial Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103, 800-243-4361. Certain of the investment management firms that manage underlying mutual Funds in the Program, including Virtus Investment Advisers, Inc., are affiliated with the Program Manager. Only South Dakota residents and Account Owners who designate a South Dakota resident as Beneficiary can invest directly in the CollegeAccess 529 Plan. Certain Portfolios are not available to those who invest directly. Residents of states other than South Dakota can invest in the CollegeAccess 529 Plan only through a financial professional. Additional fees apply for investments made through a financial professional. Please see the Plan Disclosure Statement for details. State taxes may apply for residents of states other than South Dakota. Notice: CollegeAccess 529 Plan accounts are not insured by any state, and neither the principal deposited nor any investment return is guaranteed by any state.

Photos courtesy of Siouxland Renaissance Association

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in 16th century England? Combine the intriguing history of the Renaissance period with whimsical fantasy and imagination, and you have the ingredients of a wonderfully unique experience for the whole family. See the sights, hear the sounds, and taste the food; step back in time on June 4-5 to ‘play in the past’ at the Siouxland Renaissance Festival at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds.

The mission for Siouxland Renaissance Association is to foster education through re-enactment, interaction, presentation and participation. “We make sure everyone is involved, learning, and having a good time - no matter what age you are,” says Kari Blom, Development Chair.

There are up to eight different entertainment stages with live music and demonstrations for children, adults and combined ages. Experience the fun of an old English Pub, complete with non-stop music and period beverages. The whole family will enjoy the jugglers, comedians and story tellers on the Rose and Crown stages. Wenches and Rogues can venture over to the Dragon Event tent.

The Children’s Realm is one of the largest areas of the Festival. Here in the mythical gardens, you’ll find fairies, dragons, pirates and castles - let your imagination run wild. You might listen to the sounds of medieval instruments from Mustafa Ali. Or listen to some fairy tales from Lyrique the Mermaid. There are a variety of crafts and games to choose from, including a scavenger hunt designed to keep children interested and engaged while they learn.

According to Val Lietz, Court Committee Chair, one of the most popular attractions for all ages is the armored jousting match. “This is the only Renaissance Festival in the country with an indoor joust attraction. Rain or shine, the knights are dry.”

Village Market With three vendor villages and a 30+ artisan vendor marketplace, you’re sure to find something for everyone.

Handcrafted Art, Goblets and Mugs, Drinking Horns and Wooden Swords are just a few of the treasures you’ll find here. Grab a turkey leg or a honey stick and enjoy the shopping!

Unique Experience Besides the vendors and ongoing entertainment options, the immersible experience is what truly makes it unique. The cast creates engaging, interactive theater by portraying characters from the entire spectrum of Renaissance society. Lietz joined the court 15 years ago and this year will play the role of ‘hostess’ as Lady Elizabeth Talbot. “My favorite part is welcoming people as they come in and interacting with them,” said Lietz.

It Takes a Village The Festival is nurtured and dependent upon sponsors, vendors, and the roughly 250 volunteers that are needed to ensure a successful event. If you are interested in participating, visit siouxlandrenfest.com. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for ages 4 to 12 and 65 and older. Children 3 and under are free.

You won’t want to miss the adventure on June 4th and 5th. “This is a fantastic familyfriendly event that is economically priced,” said Lietz. “Come see what you can learn. Come play in the past.”

PHOTO © SD TOURISM

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Sarah and Mike Schulte | Photo by Evans Portrait Gallery

Schulte Subaru in Sioux Falls, located on Minnesota Avenue near 85th Street, is known for their high-quality customer service. Nationwide, Subaru has the Subaru Love Promise, which is their vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. The Love Promise says, “Together with our retailers, we are dedicated to making the world a better place.” Schulte Subaru has fully embraced and exemplifi ed this promise. In 2020, they were named the Subaru Love Promise Retailer of the Year. They earned this recognition by placing an emphasis on the HEART Pillars.

The HEART Pillars are Subaru’s customer commitments to display honesty, empathy, appreciation, respect, and trust with every customer, co-worker, and the Sioux Falls community as a whole. Subaru also has a focus on Love Promise Moments which they defi ne as “a special and emotional connection created by applying our HEART Pillars to every interaction during the customers shopping, buying and ownership journey.” The HEART Pillars are the foundation of the Subaru Love Promise. Subaru recently rolled out the Love Promise University whose mission is “to share the knowledge and skills necessary for retailer employees to embrace the HEART Pillars and Love Promise Moments to bring the Subaru Love Promise to life at retailers and create a Subaru-Level Customer Experience.” The Love Promise Moments focuses on these three ideas for customers: “Make me feel welcome”; “Take my safety seriously”; and “Make me feel special.”

These help Subaru staff make improvements in how they meet customer expectations. Creating a strong and positive experience for each customer means they will become lifelong customers and will recommend Schulte Subaru to everyone they know. Staff at Schulte Subaru is trained on the HEART Pillars. Positive customer comments and testimonials are shared with staff through email and on Love Promise Moments boards located in Subaru stores.

Along with the customer commitments, Schulte Subaru is committed to being a positive force in their community and improving the lives of those around them. They want their actions to be an example for others to follow.

Schulte Subaru believes that their customer service is what sets them apart even more from the competition because they focus on the whole customer experience. From the moment customers walk in the door to the time they leave the lot with their new car keys in hand, Schulte Subaru wants the HEART Pillars shown each and every step of the car buying process. Learn more about Schulte Subaru at subaruofsiouxfalls.com.

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