Getting active and taking part in regular exercise boosts both our physical and mental well-being. Socialising with friends has also been known to improve our mental health and combat feelings of loneliness. Why not combine the two and find a workout partner who also wants to have a great time and achieve their fitness goals?
Workout Partner Benefits
While some prefer a solo fitness regime, as it enables us to keep on track and stay focused, others enjoy working out with a partner. This is because it helps them to stay motivated during a workout, boosts their overall performance and they often feel they have more fun.
Read on to find out how having a buddy can help make workouts for the both of you more effective and enjoyable:
Friendly Competition
Finding your fitness partner-in-crime is an excellent excuse to engage in a bit of healthy competition. Neither of you will want to fall behind during your workout, so it can be that added boost that will help you keep going and reach new heights.
You’ll Have More Fun
While it’s important to make sure you get a killer workout in, it’s also just as vital to have fun. Exercising by yourself can get a little lonely, so with a partner you’ll be able to share both the good and the tough times with a smile on your faces. Plus, combining training with having a bit of chat and banter makes things even more enjoyable!
Fresh Ideas
Occasionally, we may shy away from trying out that new class we’ve always fancied or that area in the gym we’ve found intimidating and been nervous to approach. But with a workout partner on board, you’ll both be able to support one another, learn new things and step out of each other’s comfort zones.
Spot Buddies
If you’re thinking of going the extra mile with your weight training, a friend can help ‘spot’ you through those last couple of tough reps at the end of your set. Having someone else around when you’re lifting heavy weights also makes your workout a lot safer and keeps you both injury free.
Workout buddies will also help each other to perfect their form by pointing out the times their partner needs to straighten their back more or bend their knees that little bit extra.
Follow a Structure
Weight training with a partner is ideal. You can alternate your exercises so that your friend completes their set during your rest period and vice versa. This should eliminate any distractions in between sets like scrolling through your phone on social media, something many of us are guilty of!
Regular Routine
It can be incredibly easy to make excuses not to visit the gym. This is especially true if you’re going on your own. You are, however, much more likely to keep going if you’ve got a workout buddy. This is because you may feel guilty about not turning up and letting them down. This could help you keep going with your regular workouts.
Stay Motivated
Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of encouragement to help us push out that last rep, run that bit faster, go the extra mile, or hang in there for another minute, all for the kudos that your workout partner’s “well done”, high-five or pat on the back brings with it. Having a workout partner can help inspire you to keep going and get even better.