10 Big Benefits of Having a Workout Partner
Just about everything in life is better when you do it with a friend, right?
Well, exercise is no different! In a recent episode of The Dr. Jason Show, I brought in my own workout buddy Darryl Woods to chat about how helpful it is to pair up for part of our weekly fitness routine. Those of you who know me know I always practice what I preach.
Darryl and I run together every Sunday morning, and we make it a competition. It’s friendly and fun, and it’s also a great motivational tool. But you can watch the video to hear more about that.
What I want to talk about here are some of the major benefits of having a workout partner. Patients ask me all the time what they can do to stay motivated to stick with their efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle. One of my recommendations is always to get another person to exercise with.
A friend is always a great choice, but it could be your spouse or partner, a coworker, a neighbor… just make it someone you get along well with. It’s also very helpful if the two of you are of comparable general fitness levels so you can keep pace with each other.
Reasons to Exercise with a Friend
- If you add a competitive element, it helps keep you motivated and pushing yourself.
- Working out with someone makes it more fun, so you’re more likely to stick with it for the long haul.
- You and your exercise buddy can set goals together, which is a huge part of making progress.
- You can hold each other accountable for getting your workouts in and reaching goals; there’s no overstating the importance of accountability for doing what you’re supposed to do.
- The two of you can keep an eye on each other’s form and spot for each other for safer, more effective workouts.
- Learn new exercises and techniques from your partner for more variety; switching things up helps keep you engaged and provides more comprehensive fitness benefits.
- You have someone to confide in when you’re struggling who knows you, your goals, your strengths and weaknesses, etc.
- You also have someone to celebrate successes with, whether it’s yours or theirs; recognizing achievement is crucial to staying motivated over the long term.
- It’s more affordable if you want to work with a personal trainer, since you can split the cost.
- You’re helping someone you care about improve their health, energy levels, and quality of life!
