Why Every Couple Needs a Check-Up, Just Like a Fitness Routine

We all know the importance of keeping our bodies in check with regular workouts, balanced diets, and the occasional check-up with our doctors. But what about the health of your relationship? Just like your physical fitness, your marriage or partnership needs attention, care, and maintenance to stay strong and thriving. And here’s the thing—most people don’t think about a “relationship check-up” until something starts to hurt, whether that’s emotional tension, communication breakdowns, or a sense of stagnation. But just like you wouldn’t wait until your muscles ache to hit the gym, you shouldn't wait until your relationship hits a rough patch to give it the TLC it deserves.

Why Relationship Maintenance Is Like Fitness Maintenance

We’re all familiar with the gym routine—showing up, working those muscles, sweating through a good cardio session, and then, hopefully, feeling better, stronger, and more energized afterward. Marriage and partnerships need that same attention and consistency. If we only checked in on our physical fitness when we felt “out of shape,” we’d be in trouble. The same goes for relationships: regular maintenance keeps things from falling apart and ensures you’re both in tip-top shape emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Let’s break this down further with a metaphor you’ll definitely get: The relationship “workout.”

1. Preventing Burnout

Just like training for a marathon requires more than running until you’re out of breath, maintaining a healthy relationship requires more than just "getting by" until there’s a big argument. A marriage check-up helps you and your partner stay in sync and avoid burnout. Think of a relationship check-up as your chance to "recalibrate" and make sure you're not running on empty. You need rest days, you need hydration, and you need to know when you’re pushing each other too hard or when you're coasting. Too many couples run themselves into emotional exhaustion by neglecting each other’s needs and their own self-care. Checking in with each other can help avoid this.

You wouldn’t train for a marathon without checking your form or your training plan, right? You'd look at how things are progressing, see where you can improve, and set new goals. The same should happen in a relationship. Regular check-ins allow you to assess the emotional health of your marriage, give each other feedback (constructive, of course), and plan for growth.

2. Strengthening Communication Muscles

One of the most important "muscles" in a relationship is communication. And just like any muscle, it can get weak and tight if not regularly stretched and exercised. Have you ever been in the middle of a heated argument, thinking, “How did we get here?” Chances are, communication wasn't the priority on your "workout plan" for the week.

A relationship check-up is like scheduling a couple’s therapy session—or, heck, just a date night where you can talk openly. You take time to hear each other out, check for any miscommunications, and address any unspoken tension. Regular check-ups can help smooth out these bumps before they turn into full-blown emotional sprains.

And here’s a little tip—don’t wait for a crisis to talk! Communication should be as regular as hitting the gym. The more you work on it, the stronger and more fluid it becomes. Plus, just like regular workouts prevent injury, consistent check-ins help prevent that "we’re not connecting anymore" feeling.

3. Setting Goals and Tracking Progress

We wouldn’t expect to see results from our fitness routine if we didn’t set goals and track progress. (And if we’re being honest, maybe sometimes we’re a little too obsessed with tracking steps and calories, but that’s another topic.) Relationships are no different. If you’re not setting goals for your relationship, how will you know you’re progressing?

A relationship check-up is a great time to ask yourselves: “Are we where we want to be as a couple? Where do we want to go next?” These goals could range from how you handle conflict, to financial planning, to making more time for fun together. Whatever the goal, it helps to check in regularly to assess whether you're moving in the right direction.

Some couples do this through simple conversations about where they see their relationship in the next few years, or through more structured “state of the union” discussions. Either way, it’s about having intentional conversations rather than letting your marriage run on autopilot. After all, a little course correction now can prevent a major overhaul later.

4. Don’t Ignore the Warning Signs

It’s easy to let things slide in a relationship—just like it's easy to skip leg day. But ignoring little aches and pains in your relationship, like unmet needs, unresolved conflicts, or growing emotional distance, is like ignoring a pull in your hamstring. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.

Sometimes, it’s easy to say, “We’re fine,” when things aren’t really fine. A check-up helps you stop avoiding the little issues that, left unchecked, can snowball into bigger problems. By taking time to address these things early, you can keep your relationship from feeling stiff, strained, or even on the brink of injury.

5. Celebrate Your Wins

Physical fitness isn’t just about pushing yourself harder every day. It’s also about recognizing the progress you’ve made and celebrating victories along the way. And your relationship deserves this too. A relationship check-up is a great time to take a step back and acknowledge the milestones you’ve hit together. Whether it’s surviving a stressful period, reaching a financial goal, or simply learning how to communicate better, every win matters.

Taking a moment to reflect on what’s going well can actually fuel the energy to work on what needs improvement. It reminds you that, while relationships take effort, there’s so much to celebrate. After all, just like you appreciate that endorphin rush after a good workout, you should also enjoy the emotional high of being in a strong, healthy relationship.

Marriage Fitness: The Ultimate Relationship Workout with Mort Fertel

Now that we've established how important it is to regularly check in on your relationship, let’s talk about one fantastic way to get your marriage into top shape: Mort Fertel’s Marriage Fitness Course.

Just like how a fitness program helps you work out the kinks in your body, the Marriage Fitness course helps couples work through challenges, improve communication, and build lasting emotional intimacy. This course is like hiring a personal trainer for your relationship—someone who provides you with structured tools, support, and exercises to strengthen your marriage, all while making it more enjoyable and fulfilling.

How does it fit into the relationship maintenance routine we’ve discussed?

Strengthening Communication: Fertel’s course is designed to rebuild and strengthen the communication "muscles" in your relationship. Through proven techniques, couples learn to talk more openly, listen more actively, and resolve conflicts more constructively.

Preventing Relationship Burnout: Just like a fitness trainer ensures you’re not overexerting yourself, the Marriage Fitness program focuses on the importance of emotional recovery. By guiding couples through strategies for rest, reconnection, and rejuvenation, it prevents burnout and ensures that you’re not just surviving, but thriving in your relationship.

Setting Relationship Goals: Fertel's course helps you set goals for your marriage and work toward them together. Whether it's improving intimacy, learning to navigate conflict, or prioritizing quality time, the course encourages couples to actively work on their relationship and track their progress.

A Personalized Plan: Like a fitness routine tailored to your body, the Marriage Fitness course adapts to the unique needs of your relationship. Fertel gives couples a personalized roadmap to create the type of relationship they want, whether they’re just starting out or have been together for decades.

In Conclusion: Make It a Habit!

Just as you wouldn’t expect to maintain peak physical health without regular exercise, don’t expect your relationship to thrive without regular check-ups. A relationship check-up isn’t a "fix-all" solution—it’s about consistent, proactive care that helps prevent bigger issues down the line. Like fitness, relationships require attention, effort, and love every day.

So, next time you’re scheduling that weekly workout or doctor’s visit, remember to book a little “couple’s care” too. Whether it’s through a course like Mort Fertel’s Marriage Fitness, or simple conversations with your partner, investing in your relationship will pay off in ways that go far beyond just feeling “fine.” Trust us, your relationship will thank you for it. After all, just like physical fitness, a little maintenance today means a much stronger, happier tomorrow!!!

Thank you 🙏

Future of Resilience