Benefits of Having a Workout Partner
A partner can help you stay committed to fitness and have fun. They double your chances for fitness success, not only in fitness but living a healthy life too. They make exercising more fun! They also help you out of a rut or through a plateau. Ivan has done this time and time again for me making him the best partner there is! (As you may know if he’s your personal trainer) Ever since we’ve been together we’ve been actively involved in health and fitness. We are constantly learning and striving to be better. And if it wasn’t for him I would not be where I am today. He ALWAYS holds me accountable.
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Having a partner whose interests match yours makes such a BIG difference. Your partner can be your spouse, significant other, or even a good friend! Partners provide a powerful combination of support, accountability, motivation and, in some cases, healthy competition. They play the role of a teammate, co-coach, and cheerleader! Your partner can motivate you to do one more set, continue when you feel like you’ve just had enough and want to give up (Boy have I come close plenty of times), or when you are feeling hopeless. Ivan is always reminding me of my goals.
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Positive reinforcement of others is so important. So when choosing your partner PLEASE make sure they share a similar commitment to fitness. If they don’t they will be more of a distraction and a deterrent. Don’t allow yourself to get held back on account of someone else. Also choose a POSTITIVE partner. If your partner is down all the time, complaining, you will eventually lose motivation. Also, if they are too competitive, give up too easily or gets jealous of your success, they will bring you down. It will derail you if you have different personality traits and divergent fitness goals. Your partner should make it fun, but not cause you to lose your focus.
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You need to feel like you don’t want to disappoint them. Like you have a responsibility and commitment toward them. You are more than likely to follow through on that type of commitment!
Having a reliable partner increases your chances of sticking with your program. When I used to train by myself B.I. (before Ivan) I had a difficult time. There are some individuals out there who enjoy working out by themselves, I am not one of them. I like having someone push me during the workout. Really push me, to challenge me, and what I am capable of. Ivan always challenges me and brings out the best in me. Not only in the gym but through life’s challenges as well. It is also a great way to spend quality time together!
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Your partner does not have to be your significant other! So don’t go singing Lonely by Akon just yet. You can ask your trainer if they can recommend a buddy for you. Your personal trainer will have a good idea of your skill level and may be able to make the perfect match. You can also reach out to your friends. Chances are you have a few friends who share the same goals as you do. You may have luck finding a partner through social media. Someone that may inspire you on Instagram could end up being your accountability buddy. It NEVER hurts to try!
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How to be the best partner:
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– Stay in touch!
Constantly talk about your goals, workout styles, preferred types of exercises and pet peeves. Your likes, your dislikes, what healthy foods you eat, and don’t eat! It does not hurt to send texts to one another or emails to go over everything. Communication is the key!
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– Be on time
Be punctual and follow through with your obligations. Sure emergencies pop up once in a while; however, every day shouldn’t be an excuse after another.
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– Push your partner
Your partner may need a kick in the butt once in a while. For some people they lose their mojo pretty quickly. I’ve seen it happen so very often. They have this burning desire to accomplish their goals but then stop working towards them. They lose their fire. So this is the perfect time for someone to help light it back up.
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– Remind your partner
Don’t lose track of your WHY. Your reason why you started living this new lifestyle should always remain “alive” let’s say. Let your partner know your reason why, your goals, from the beginning. So they can help remind you of your WHY when you are feeling lost.
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– Talk about your progress
It is great to hear about someone else’s success stories. To hear about what worked for them vs. what didn’t work. And how they got to where they are now through their trials and tribulations as well as their accomplishments. Make progress TOGETHER, and challenge one another. Then you can celebrate your successes together! Bolster your self-esteem and keep your motivation levels high.
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– Do some homework
Just sticking to what you know can hinder a successful workout routine. Do some research on new exercises, great recipes or fun ways to inspire each other. A lot of individuals perform exercises with incorrect form. Research ways to exercise specific body parts with correct form! Different techniques are also a big game changer too. Don’t forget to plan your workouts in advance for your partner and for yourself. And meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!
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Having a partner can mean the difference between SUCCESS and failure when it comes to your fitness goals. CHOOSE SUCCESS!
