Grab a friend and get moving!
As promised, I am sharing my experience with the Fitness With A Friend challenge from Tribesports.com. For those of you who’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’m not a huge fan of doing cardio with others. I’m high energy and frankly, most people cannot keep up with me. But grabbing a friend for strength training is something I’m all for.
This challenge required me to do moves like high knees, partner squats, and high-five push ups with a buddy. The moves weren’t difficult in essence, but homies, they burned by the second time around. Being somewhat squat challenged (unless I’m using a machine), I particularly liked the partner squats. You have to keep yourself stabilized (*cough, cough-core workout!*) so you don’t send your friend and you flying. You’re forced to keep good form and go deeper into the move.
According to Lifestyle and Fitness Expert Tom Holland, working out with a friend has a ton of benefits. In his book Beat the Gym: Personal Trainer Secrets Without the Personal Trainer Price Tag, Holland cited motivation and an always there spotter as two of them. It makes sense, because who wants to be that friend who cancels on their pal? I certainly don’t want to be responsible for my friend not working out. And as for the spotter, it is helpful having someone to help you count reps and encourage you when you feel like bailing.
Don’t worry, just because you workout with a friend doesn’t mean you have to dress like twins.
Here are some of the other benefits to working out with a friend:
1) Allows you to spend quality time with your amigo(a).
One of the downsides of being an adult is how little time you have to see your pals. You’re at work for eight hours, than have errands, and all the other adult b.s. that seems to land on your lap once you’ve got that cap and gown. Making gym dates with your bff guarantees that you’ll both be clocking in quality friend and gym time. That’s pretty sweet multitasking in my book.
2) Can help you workout consistently.
When you begin a new workout program it can be easy to get discouraged. Having a friend do it with you can be just the thing to make you stick with it. I first started working out with my mom. For a month we walked two miles together every day. After awhile my mom got distracted by her work schedule and I found myself solo. But that didn’t matter, because by that time walking had become a habit of mine.
3) Gives you someone to try new stuff with.
I don’t know if I would have ever tried strength training if my boyfriend didn’t go to the weight room with me. I just felt out of place there. But training with him every weekend not only helped me become educated about how the machines worked; it also boosted my confidence. Now I can hit the weights without him. But truth be told, I still prefer with him.
Do you workout with a friend or do you fly solo? Have you done the challenges or one of the moves? Let me know.
Most of the time I workout solo but my spouse comes with me to body pump 2-3 times a week.
I thinks it’s really nice when couples workout together. My boyfriend and I like to workout for the same amount of time, so even when he’s lifting and I’m doing cardio, neither one of us have to rush to do what we want because of the other person.
All good stuff here and valid points. Occasionally I will work out with a friend but because of my job and schedule I do prefer going solo.
Thanks, Phil. Scheduling is definitely one of the reasons I like going solo too. I have to get my workouts in super early. Most people I know prefer evening workouts.