Apparently, spandex, neoprene, and goggles can help your love life. A small study has found that couples who compete in triathlons are compatible and supportive of each other. Researchers interviewed six married couples, who competed in the Ironman world championships and found traits that we mere mortals could aspire to. For starters, long hours of training cause the triathlete couples to hold a gender-neutral view of household chores. Basically, it's a 'whoever gets home first after a workout fixes dinner or feeds the dog' type of relationship. The athletes tend to work out at the same time, though not necessarily together, increasing the time they have to relax together. And how to spend money (new bikes!) and what to eat (more pasta!) are rarely points of friction between them.

The moral: It seems that shared priorities and passions, can lead to agreeable relationships.

Not to mention fun postworkout showers!