If you are looking to reignite the spark in your relationship or for a new way to spend a first date, why not consider a physically active outing?

The energy you usually expend on making a fancy dinner could be invested in planning a fitness adventure for you and your boyfriend, partner, husband, lover or blind date. Try any of the following romantic outings to make your heart beat a little faster.

Bowling with your better half
Don’t rule out the bowling alley as a romantic hotspot just because it lacks the ambiance of a candlelit restaurant. Assuming you’re spending it with the right person, a night at the lanes can be as sensuous as you make it. Cultivate the spirit of romance (and be a little silly) by choosing an alias for the evening. What man can resist an opponent named Hot Lips? Put your weight behind each slide of the ball and you’ll give your hips, legs and bowling arm a nice workout. And not a word against those borrowed bowling shoes. Try to think of them as retro Campers.

Couples skate
Not only will an hour of ice skating improve your balance and leg muscles, but you and your date will burn around 420 calories each. And don’t worry about being Michelle Kwan-esque. A few laps around the rink will melt all your reservations about wiping out in front of that special someone. Finally, don’t despair if you can’t get to that picture-perfect frozen pond. Indoor arenas have smoother ice and better soundtracks – just grab your partner’s hand and glide to the beat of whatever’s in the background.

Romantic run
Every relationship has its landmarks, so why not revisit yours? After all, when was the last time you had a drink at the pub, where you had your first date, or crossed that quiet bridge, where you had your first kiss? It's always a good time to get nostalgic and burn a few calories while you’re at it. During this jog down memory lane, concentrate on maintaining a speedy clip and keeping your arms moving, then finish by rewarding yourselves with dinner at your favourite restaurant – as long as the dress code permits trainers.

Club love
Have you ever noticed how sore you are after a night of clubbing – and we’re not just talking about your head. Vigorous dancing can actually be a great aerobic workout and you’ll burn around 360 calories an hour. Just be careful not to negate the health benefits of all that exercise by making too many trips from the dance floor to the bar. Or, at least, try to resist temptation until you’ve broken a sweat.

Blazing saddles
Working late every night? Take a rain check for the weekend and hire a pair of horses to trot you and your other half off into the sunset. This is an exhilarating, romantic way to spend an afternoon, especially if you’re able to find a secluded picnic spot. Novices, be sure to request a docile horse and don’t stray far from the beaten path. Anyone with doubts about this workout being intense should wait and see how their legs feel the next morning.

A date at the driving range
Why not use a date as an opportunity to improve your hand/eye coordination and get to know that special someone over a bucket of golf balls? Who knows what kind of sparks might fly in the privacy of that mesh cage at the driving range. He’ll certainly appreciate the opportunity to admire your strong forearms and – at the very least – you’ll get to work on your swing while burning 300 calories.