Work it – The benefits of having a workout buddy
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How often do you make excuses for not going to the gym? Sure we all need the occasional off-day, but would you be just as quick to make an excuse if you knew a friend was waiting for you? If you knew that you’d be letting them down? Ahhhhh the logic behind a workout buddy. See where I’m going with this?
Image credit: msnbc.msn.com
Well, the proof is in the pudding (I’ve never quite understood that expression, but it applies here, right?). According to a recent study “college students were significantly more likely to be active if they had social support of their friends and family.” In addition, a simple motivational phone call has proven to increase one’s level of physical activity.
Thinking about it, this really should come as no surprise. Of course knowing your decision directly affects someone other than yourself will push you a bit further. But look at the opportunity to socialize and get in some quality time, as well! When the Mister started working out with me, we both couldn’t believe just how much extra time we were able to spend together. And power-walking with my mom allows us to catch up on each other’s lives, too.
When choosing a fitness partner, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
Fitness level – If you are beginner, you might not want to choose someone who spend their spare time competing in triathlons. Look for someone who will encourage you and who you’ll be able to motivate, as well.
Goals – If your partner is looking to lose 50 pounds, but you’re looking to just build muscle, you might want to rethink your workout buddy selection. Different goals require different exercises, so you’ll want to review your goals to make sure the exercises you’ll be focusing on will benefit both of you.
A fitness partner brings many benefits to your workout regimen, including:
Variety – They may introduce you to some exercises you’ve never heard of (or have been avoiding!). Have you been wanting to try out a particular exercise? Mountain biking, perhaps? Now you have a friend to take on the challenge with you!
Motivation – Sometimes all you really need is someone else to point out your progress. Each workout spent with your partner is one step closer to your goals. Having someone to cheer you on along the way certainly won’t make it harder.
No more excuses! – Sticking to a schedule will keep you accountable and limit your opportunity to cop out.
More time in the gym – Being at the gym alone can become pretty boring. Having someone else with you will make the time fly and before you know it, you’ll be logging in more time than you had anticipated — leading to faster results!
Good form = fewer injuries – Your built in spotter! Your partner will point out any errors in your form and make sure you are getting the most out of your workouts.
Need help finding an exercise buddy? Think about the people you work with, classmates, family members, people at your church, people you volunteer with — there is bound to be SOMEONE with similar workout goals whose company you enjoy
Still having trouble? Try one of these sites:
Do you have an exercise buddy or do you fly solo? Do you notice a difference when you are working out with someone else rather than alone? Please share your thoughts!
In high school my friend and I used to work out together which meant that we couldn’t cancel – it was a good plan! Having a workout buddy is a good thing. It makes the time go by faster and you can get new workout tips from each other. With that said, I HATE running with other people – I don’t want to talk while I run!
Having a workout buddy makes such a huge difference! I get so much more exercise when I’m visiting my parents and can take the dog on long walks, go on bike rides with my dad, and go to Pilates with my mom. My man and I have recently started working out together occasionally, we’ll see how that works out!
I end up flying solo a lot just because none of my girl friends are as fast as I am! When I go for a run, I want to stretch my limits, and the only way I’ve found I can do that recently is going by myself.
I have a group of women that I meet up with a few times a week for exercise classes, though. We hit spinning and yoga and step and kickboxing classes, and hold each other accountable to our commitment to go to class!
I fly solo 90% of the time. And I love it. I used to push myself so hard that I now like being able to listen to my body and workout based on what levels it can do for the day….not based on something my partner and I decided to do.
I do like to do long runs (10 mile+) with groups. Running and chatting with strangers has definitely gotten me through some runs that I never would have completed! Also,on the weekends, the husband and I workout together often…bike rides, swims, etc. Those feel like fun and not even workouts when we are together though.
Happiness Awaits
I fly solo, but I wish I had a buddy!
having a workout buddy definitely helps to distract me from my anti-workout buddy (aka the lazyyyy portion of my brain!) such a great way to stay motivated
I used to have a workout buddy we had each other on the elliptical for 40 minutes a night and hitting the hardcore cable machines and such… it was great, then I lost her and have never really gotten that dedication back- I need a new buddy!!!
I fly solo and like it most of the time, but I miss having a workout buddy.
Just read a scary story about 12 boys on a football team that all ended up in the hospital with “”compartment syndrome,” which caused soreness and swelling in their triceps and high levels of creatine kinase, a protein that can harm the kidneys. Three players had surgery to relieve swelling.Authorities said the cause was not yet known, but the condition can be the result of exercise or the use of certain medications. All but one of the players who became ill worked out last Sunday at the high school’s wrestling room, where one player says the temperature reached 120 degrees.” What a bad decision that was by the 1st year coach.For all my subscribers at abs home workout please be cautious and proceed slowly if you have not been working out in a while. If you take too much of a jump up in your exercise regimen, your body will break down a lot of muscle at once. The result will be the release of too much broken down muscle particulates into the blood stream. This can clog the kidneys and cause Rhabdo.
[...] Have you been successful in helping your loved one lose weight? What did you do? Feel free to read my tips on how and why you should workout with a partner! [...]
[...] Have you been successful in helping your loved one lose weight? What did you do? Feel free to read my tips on how and why you should workout with a partner! [...]
[...] Have you been successful in helping your loved one lose weight? What did you do? Feel free to read my tips on how and why you should workout with a partner! [...]
[...] Have you been successful in helping your loved one lose weight? What did you do? Feel free to read my tips on how and why you should workout with a partner! [...]
[...] Have you been successful in helping your loved one lose weight? What did you do? Feel free to read my tips on how and why you should workout with a partner! [...]