This week we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day. Friends are important to all of us. With a friend, many things go more smoothly—including working out. Why should everyone have a workout buddy, and where can you find one? Here are six reasons why working out with a friend is a good idea, along with tips on how to find a workout buddy.
- Set your practice times
An effective way to find time to work out is to schedule your workouts in advance on your calendar. Even when working out alone, it’s still easy to skip a workout you’ve marked on your calendar. But when you lock in a workout with a workout buddy, it’s not as easy to back out of a scheduled session. So you’re more likely to stick to your weekly workout plan when you share it with a friend.
- Find a common goal
Goals motivate and guide your workouts. Work with your workout partner to set a shared goal that both of you can achieve. A shared goal helps you stay motivated even more effectively; you can do the same workouts together or even take advantage of personal training services as a pair. If your motivation wanes, your workout partner can cheer you on and encourage you to keep going.
- Try out new sports together
"Two is always better than one" also applies to exercise. Try out new activities together that you wouldn't dare or feel comfortable trying on your own. When you try a new sport together, you’ll gain new experiences and can enjoy the workout together. With a new workout partner, you can also try out each other’s favorite sports and workouts. That way, you’ll both get new ideas and experiences.
- Encourage and Praise
What could be nicer than receiving praise for a workout that went well or encouragement during those last few tough reps? Don’t hesitate to praise and encourage your workout partner. Praise and encouragement always feel good and help you push through your workout even more effectively. Cheering each other on motivates you to keep going.
- Take advantage of super series and series breaks
Working out with a friend doesn’t automatically mean your workouts will be twice as long. You can also train together effectively. Take advantage of different supersets and rest-and-repeat sets. For supersets, choose two exercises and alternate between them: while your friend does a set of 10 squats, your job is to do planks for the duration of their set, and vice versa. Rest periods work effectively when you cheer on your friend while they’re doing a set and you’re resting.
- Share your moments of success
The best thing about working out with a friend is sharing those moments of success with each other. This brings both of you joy and motivation for your workouts. Achieving a common goal brings you even closer together.
Looking for a workout partner?
So where can you find a workout buddy? Think about the people close to you—could someone in your family or among your friends be a good workout buddy? Suggest working out together to your spouse or your best friend. Find a workout routine that works for both of you. Don’t hesitate to ask a coworker to join you at the gym or a neighbor to go for a run. You might find you have a surprising amount in common once you get to know each other better.
If you can't find a workout partner among your friends, try the small groups at your local gym. That way, you'll get a whole group of workout partners, and with any luck, you'll end up continuing to work out together even after the small group ends.
You can also find a workout buddy at the gym or on social media. Search for different workout groups on social media and don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anyone in your area who’s also looking for a workout buddy. Feel free to strike up a conversation with others at the gym. For example, ask them about their favorite exercises and offer to spot them during a heavy set. It’s also easy to find workout buddies in group exercise classes if you pay attention to who’s attending the same classes as you. Be bold—maybe the person working out next to you is thinking the same thing!