subject: 6 Benefits Of Training With A Friend At Your Local Gym [print this page] Every year people set fitness or weight loss goals, but very few achieve them. Why is that? Most of us just lack sufficient motivation to keep up a good exercise regimen. If that's the challenge you're facing, then you might benefit from working out with a friend.
The benefits of exercising with a partner are numerous. Here are a few to consider:
1. Motivation:
A gym training buddy can be one of the greatest motivators on your way to physical fitness. While some people are able to consistently self-motivate, most folks start to get tired of the daily struggle to exercise. A gym partner can give you that kick of motivation as you work together toward a common goal.
Whether you're joining a gym, or trying a new workout class, a new sport, or new routine, a workout partner can also minimize the intimidation factor. It's easier to try something new when you're going at it together.
2. Accountability:
A friend who knows your personal fitness goals - and is working with you toward those goals - will help to keep you on track. Working toward fitness as a team means that someone else is counting on you; you'll be far less likely to cop out of exercising when it means letting your partner down.
If you are working toward weight-loss goals together, just knowing that you have someone keeping an eye on you will help you make healthier choices. It's easier to resist the temptations of junk food, lethargy, and inertia when you know that someone's got your back.
3. Challenge:
Never underestimate the power of a little friendly competition. Working to match - or even beat - your partner's achievements can keep you going when you're ready to quit. Working out with a friend provides a constant challenge to not only beat your own records, but theirs as well.
A partner can challenge you to push yourself harder - to do one more rep, one more set, one more mile - and they will often succeed when your own self-motivation is lagging.
4. Encouragement:
A fitness partner can give you the encouragement of knowing you're not alone on your path to fitness. A gym buddy can be a great morale booster as they know exactly what you're dealing with, and they can keep you focused on the goal.
Your partner will also see your progress as you work toward fitness, and hearing them say that you're improving, looking better, or getting stronger will make you feel great about the effort you're putting in. Just hearing that your efforts are paying off will be great encouragement to keep at it.
5. Safety:
Of course, working out with a friend is generally safer than exercising alone. Whether you're weight training, running, or playing a sport, having a friend there can both prevent accidents and provide help when you are injured.
If you're lifting weights, it's especially important to have a partner to help as a spotter. Weight lifting without someone to spot you can be a dangerous and unnecessary risk. When you have someone you can count on to work out with you, this risk is minimized.
6. Fun:
In the end, it's just much more fun to work out with a partner. The companionship and conversation can take the drudgery out of a grueling workout. Rather than dreading your daily workout, you may even start to look forward to it as a chance to catch up with your friend.
Staying fit and healthy is a vital goal if you want to live your life to its fullest. Working toward that goal with a friend will keep you focused and will exponentially increase your chance of reaching the level of fitness you aiming for.
Once you've found a partner, get moving! Set fitness goals together, plan your strategy, and get to work.
