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why you should have a workout partner

A workout partner makes exercise more fun, increases your consistency and motivates you to achieve more out of your workouts

Loneliness is dangerous for your physical and mental health, and even more hazardous to the progress of your fitness goals. If you are still working out alone, here is why you need to get a workout partner ASAP.

It Makes Workouts More Fun

The best times of our lives are those spent in the company of our family and friends. Work and family commitments mean we get almost zero time to socialise, but you can change that by working out with a buddy. It’s like killing two birds with one stone. You get to workout, catch up, share thoughts about yourselves, and have fun. Research has found that working out with a buddy can improve mental health and cognition, relieve stress, and increase the satisfaction you derive from your workouts.

Increases Motivation

Our friends play a huge role in shaping our thoughts and actions. One way to motivate yourself to do more during workouts is by exercising with another person. You are less likely to come up with excuses if somebody is waiting for you. It only takes one slip, and you could be back where you started your fitness journey.

The effect is mutual. Both of you motivate each other to press on with your personal fitness goals, and everybody wins at the end of the day.

Increases Competition

Working out with a buddy increases your performance as it puts you in a competition mood. If your workout partner grinds hard at the weights, the chances are that you will also try to replicate or exceed their performance.

A study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that people tend to work out for more extended periods when exercising with a partner. The study also found that exercising with a partner improved performance across multiple sessions on all aerobic activities. If you think you are not pushing yourself hard enough, get a training partner for a change.

Encourage You to Develop Healthier Habits

Your workout partner can encourage you to make healthier choices that could move you towards increased fitness and health. As you know, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are also crucial to achieving any fitness or health goals, and research has shown that friends can help you avoid choices that are detrimental to your health and fitness. Having a workout partner may help you kick out the urge to have a sweet cup of ice cream after working out, and instead go for a healthy snack.

Prevents Injury

Having a workout partner can also help prevent injuries. Your partner may act as your spotter, help you correct technique, and tell you to stop when you are pressing yourself too hard. All these can save you from aching and sore muscles and joints.

You Will Achieve Your Goals Faster

When there is motivation to workout, and you are consistently pushing yourself harder while following a healthy lifestyle, you will improve your performance and meet your fitness and health goals faster.

A workout buddy is great for many reasons. Not only will they help you stay on track with your workout program, but they also help you achieve more in less time and encourage you to develop sustainable, healthy habits for a lifetime.