Five Benefits of Working Out with a Gym Buddy

Motivation

Having a partner to cheer you on is just one way to keep motivated in the gym. Whether they’re beside you constantly cheering you on or they’re supporting you from a distance, gym partners can help you stay on track to reach your goals. It can be easy to give up after you feel tired or bored, but having support around you can boost your motivation to stay and work on yourself. 

In fact, a study completed by scientists of the MIT Sloan School of Management showed that exercise is quite contagious. It’s in our human nature to be inspired by workout patterns we observe in social networks. Additionally, a workout partner makes long days at the gym feel like a social gathering, rather than a “must do.” 

Safety 

Not only is a gym partner a way to keep you on the right track, it can also be the safer option. With a partner, you’ll always have a spotter or someone who will help you with your form. In the chance that something goes wrong, someone will be there to physically and emotionally support you. Safety is too-often something that is overlooked in the gym, but having a workout partner is one way to prevent the chance of injury. 

Friendly competition 

Having friendly competition in the gym is another way to boost your motivation and your performance. Whether you’re subconsciously trying to perform better than your partner or you’ve made it a competition to see who can reach a certain goal first, friendly competition will push you past your limits and encourage you to train harder. 

Variety

Working out can get repetitive and boring, especially when you’ve been sticking to the same routine and not seeing many results. Incorporating a gym partner’s workouts into your routine can bring fresh ideas to stimulate different results and can bring you out of the funk you may be in. This can also help you learn different things about how your body works and keep your workouts interesting. 

Regular Routine

As stated before, working out can get repetitive and boring. A gym partner will help you stay on schedule and stick to a routine that works. Most people don’t enjoy canceling at the last minute, especially if it’s just because you’re tired or unmotivated. A gym partner could just be the extra push you needed to stay on track of your workout routine and push yourself on the hard days. 

References:

Ferguson, J. (2018, March 22). Having a workout buddy can keep you on track - ESI Group. ESI Group. https://www.theeap.com/wellness/workout-buddy-can-keep-track