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IT'S 6 p.m. on a Wednesday night, and you and your man have a hot date. It's one of those standing appointments, the time and place understood. You don't have to worry about your hair (not really, anyway), your clothes aren't that important and it's actually good if you break a sweat.

That's right, your hot date is at the local gym or health club, and you and your man have the couples' workout down to a science. After all, fitness experts say, the couple that plays together, stays together. What better way to play than by exercising your way to a healthier, happier lifestyle?

Whether you spend time together at the gym, on the tennis court or in a salsa class, getting together to exercise as a couple lays a firm foundation for your lives together. "It does help them [couples] to build a closer relationship," says Lisa Taylor, owner of Taylor Made Fitness in San Diego. "It helps them to keep each other motivated and accountable to their workout and to each other, and it gives them quality time they wouldn't normally have throughout their busy day."

Before you even consider running side-by-side with your soul mate, here are a few important ground rules to make sure the ride goes as smoothly as possible.

# posted by Medical Information : 1:56 AM