Most things in life are more fun with a friend. Going to the beach, getting a cup of coffee, shopping for a special occasion outfit. All kinds of activities are improved by having a buddy along. It gives you someone to chat with while you’re together and someone to reminisce with when it’s over.
Working out is another activity that is better with friends. It’s easy to think of exercise as a solitary activity with just you and your sweat, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, there are a lot of good reasons that it shouldn’t be that way. Being social while you work out may improve your attitude about fitness and get you to your goals faster.
Here’s why you should think about finding a workout partner.
Why you might want a workout partner
Finding a workout partner and setting up a schedule to exercise together elevates working out from a goal to a planned activity. It will give you a reason to look forward to workouts. Trips to the gym or track feel like a social event instead of just another item on your to-do list.
If you work out with someone who has more experience than you do, she can help you learn more about exercise. Who wouldn’t want some free coaching from a friend?
A workout buddy is also there to celebrate your success. She’ll cheer for you when you hit a goal weight or run your fastest mile or do a set of burpees without swearing and cursing whoever invented exercise in the first place.
Benefits of a workout partner
The most obvious benefit of having a workout buddy is the accountability factor. It’s a lot harder to turn off your alarm and stay in bed when you know your best friend will be waiting for you at your favorite hiking trail. Skipping workouts would mean letting her down as well as derailing your own goals. Partners can be a source of motivation, as well. One study showed that people push themselves harder when they work out with a partner they perceive to be more fit. The friendly competition boosted their performance.
Your workout buddy can also talk you out of your mental blocks. Your partner can be the person who says, “You’ll never know if you don’t try,” when you’re worried about taking things to the next level. Working out consistently and going harder at workouts will have their own rewards. You may hit your goals faster than if you were working out alone.
One extra bonus could be to your sex life if you start working out with your romantic partner. All the physical effects of exercise – flushed skin, increased heart rate, endorphins pumping away – feel like the effects of arousal. When you’re both pumped from a workout, you’ll feel more attracted to each other. Next thing you know, you’re hopping in the shower together after the gym and one thing leads to another!
What to look for in a workout partner
Choosing a workout partner doesn’t have to be complicated. Just don’t call your old college roommate, who always encouraged you to skip class. You want a buddy who inspires you to get up and go.
If you’re starting a fitness routine for the first time, you want to find someone you’re comfortable with, so you don’t worry about them judging you. Ask a friend who already exercises if you can join her in her routine. Or check with a friend who also wants to start a new regimen. You can learn and get fit together.
If you’re looking to take it up a notch, you’ll want a partner at your level of fitness or higher and who shares your goals.
In-person or virtual?
The question of 2020 is always “In person or virtual?” We need to factor in the risk of covid exposure to everything we do. As much as you and your neighbor have wanted to try a Zumba class, this may not be the time to seize the opportunity. Indoor fitness is tied to a higher risk of getting covid, especially sports like ice hockey or basketball, where people cluster close together. Gyms where machines are spaced far apart, and masks are required may be safer.
Working out with a friend outdoors is a lower risk. Some gyms have started offering classes outside, so you could look into that. Hiking, running, biking, and swimming are all fun activities to do with a friend as well, weather permitting.
If you choose to keep it virtual, there are a lot of options. Streaming fitness classes are popular right now, so you can sign on for that together. You could get creative and plan challenges for each other, then share videos of yourself fulfilling the challenge. Or you could just set up a video chat and spend 30 minutes doing at-home resistance training and talking like you would at the gym.
Where to find a workout partner
The simplest way to find a workout partner is to ask your friends, coworkers, or family.
If you have a particular goal, like a long-distance running event, a CrossFit challenge, or a triathlon, you can find established groups with training programs. You might have to pay a fee to join, but you’ll get friends, a training schedule, and some coaching as part of the package.
If you have been working with a trainer or taking fitness classes, ask the instructor if they know anyone who might want to meet up between sessions for extra workouts. You could gain a workout buddy and a new friend at the same time.
Final Words
Working out with a partner can be a positive change to your fitness routine. You’ll have someone to support you along the way. Your partner can offer your advice and motivation, as well as being the person who is there to celebrate when you hit your goals.
And most important, the right partner can make working out more fun. Nothing inspires you to keep exercising like loving it. If you look forward to every workout, you’ll be able to hit your goals before you know it.