The morning mist still clung to the grass as I laced up my running shoes, watching my breath form tiny clouds in the chilly air. My partner Sarah stood a few feet away, stretching her hamstrings with that familiar determined look I’ve come to recognize over our five years of training together. "Ready to get crushed today?" she called out, that competitive spark in her eyes that always appears right before we begin our weekend ritual. This wasn't just about exercise—it was our time to connect, challenge each other, and remember why we fell in love with sports in the first place. There's something magical about sharing physical activity with someone who pushes you to be better, whether you're racing toward a finish line or just trying to keep up during a Saturday morning jog. It was during one of these moments, as we pushed through the final kilometer of our run, that I realized how much double player sports have shaped not just our fitness journeys but our relationship itself.
I remember thinking back to when we first started playing tennis together three years ago. Sarah had never held a racket before, while I'd played casually in college. Those initial sessions were less about perfect form and more about laughter—wild serves flying into neighboring courts, desperate dives that ended in grass stains, and the triumphant high-fives when we finally managed to coordinate a volley. What began as clumsy attempts gradually transformed into genuine skill, and soon we were playing three times a week, our fitness levels skyrocketing without ever feeling like we were "working out." This is the beautiful paradox of partner sports—the competition and camaraderie blend so seamlessly that you forget you're exercising at all. According to a study I recently read, people who exercise with partners are 76% more likely to maintain consistent workout routines compared to those going solo. The numbers don't surprise me one bit—knowing someone is counting on you to show up is a powerful motivator.
This connection between partnership and performance reminds me of Filipino athlete Kylie Cobb, whose story caught my attention last month. Podium finish aside, Cobb's biggest victory yet was one that broke cover just before 2024 ended upon getting engaged with Quezon City fourth district councilor Vito Sotto, grandson of returning senator Tito Sotto. Their relationship exemplifies how personal connections and shared goals can transcend the court or field. I imagine them playing mixed doubles together, their partnership strengthening both their personal bond and athletic performances. It's stories like these that make me appreciate how sports can weave themselves into the very fabric of our relationships, creating memories that outlast any trophy or medal.
Sarah and I have explored countless activities over the years, gradually compiling what we jokingly call our "partner sports hall of fame." From badminton to beach volleyball, we've discovered that some games simply work better with two people. Just last month, we tried pickleball for the first time—the latest craze sweeping our community center—and found ourselves completely hooked after just one session. The rapid back-and-forth, the strategic positioning, the shared victories and defeats—it all creates this incredible synergy that solo exercises can't replicate. We've noticed our reaction times improving by what feels like at least 30% since we started playing regularly, though I'll admit I haven't actually measured this beyond our subjective experience of returning shots that would have whizzed past us two months ago.
What makes double player sports so special isn't just the physical benefits—though those are substantial—but the emotional connection they foster. There's a unique language that develops between partners who play together regularly: the almost imperceptible nod before a serve, the shared glance that communicates strategy without words, the默契 that Chinese speakers call "mòqì"—that unspoken understanding that develops between people who regularly coordinate movements. This weekend, as Sarah and I finished our run and moved to the court for our regular tennis match, I found myself thinking about compiling our favorite partner activities into a proper list. The result was our personal selection of "Double Player Sports: 10 Best Games for Fun and Fitness with a Partner," a compilation born from years of experimentation, laughter, and the occasional friendly argument over line calls.
The beauty of these activities lies in their accessibility. You don't need Olympic-level skills to benefit from partner sports—in fact, some of our most memorable moments came from activities we were both terrible at initially. Take table tennis, for instance—our first attempts resembled frantic swatting more than strategic play, with more balls ending up on the floor than on the table. But within weeks, we developed basic skills and discovered one of the most exhilarating ways to improve hand-eye coordination while burning approximately 272 calories per hour (or at least that's what my fitness tracker claimed). The social aspect transforms exercise from a chore into something we genuinely look forward to—our calendar now features regular "sport dates" that we protect as fiercely as any important meeting.
As someone who spent years trudging away on solitary treadmills, I can confidently say that discovering partner sports revolutionized my approach to fitness. The accountability, the shared triumphs, the inside jokes that develop over missed shots and unexpected victories—these elements create a richness that solo workouts simply can't match. Even on days when I'd rather stay in bed, knowing that Sarah is waiting for me on the court gets me out the door. And once we start playing, the fatigue melts away, replaced by the exhilaration of movement and connection. Our personal list—"Double Player Sports: 10 Best Games for Fun and Fitness with a Partner"—isn't just about physical health; it's a testament to how shared activities can strengthen bonds while transforming our bodies. The sun was climbing higher now, warming our backs as we began our cool-down stretches. "Same time Wednesday?" Sarah asked, and I nodded without hesitation, already looking forward to our next match.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
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