When most people think about going to the gym, some picture people with headphones in, head down, and simply moving the reps alone. What If you could make your workouts a bit more fun and/or consistent by bringing your partner in crime, a.k.a., your best friend along for the journey? As someone who prefers to work out alone, the benefits go way beyond the gym floor.
If you keep up with any of my other blogs (if not, no worries) I am a competitive powerlifter. So, most people don’t find that fun or enjoyable. In which case I often find myself working out alone. But recently, I found a group of people who share the same interests, and they’ve taught me these things:
1. Built-in accountability.
The heaviest weight I’ve ever lifted was the door walking into the gym. Because it means I made the commitment to be there that day to accomplish a specific goal. When you are waiting for a friend, it’s harder to skip the workout. On the days I don’t want to be there, I must show up for them. If I have 60% to give, they will get 61% out of me.
2. Healthy dose of competition.
Michael Jordan’s “I took that personally”’ is a mindset I have when I workout with friends. They might pull a weight or hit a rep range with ease and I want to either give it a go or use it to motivate me in the days, weeks or months ahead. Some days, it’s not about outdoing each other. It’s about using their energy to bring out of best in each other.
3. Better results through teamwork
Not only can a friend help prevent a phone call from your mom about not having a spotter in your recent social media post. But they help with correcting forms, sharing tips or queues. They give you an extra set of eyes to prevent injuries.
4. Social Bonds
Not only are you building muscles, but you are also building long-lasting connections. Working out with a friend or making a friend through working out deepens your relationship and creates a shared sense of accomplishment. We celebrate the triumphs, and we are there in the failures. There are many times when I failed a new PR and had someone help me through it. Or we celebrated when one of us hit one.
5. Longer commitment to fitness.
Studies have shown that people who work out with friends are more than likely to continue. It becomes less than discipline and more about the community you built.
So, the next time you are planning to work out, hit up that friend you think could benefit from a good workout. Set a date and go.
Wave to that person who you always see at the gym. You never know, it could be one of the healthiest friendships (pun intended).
Regardless of it being someone you know or a new friend – I will be you that you will work harder, laugh louder, and walk away stronger together.
