Buddy Up for a Better Workout

A recent study done by the University of Michigan has shown that working out with another person will help you succeed with your fitness goals.  Working out with a partner can help motivate you in a number of different ways.

• Accountability- If you make plans to workout with another person it isn’t as easy to skip out on your plans to hit the gym.  It’s harder to cancel plans with a friend than it is with yourself. 
• Push you-  Working out with another person has shown to make you work out longer than you would on your own, most of the participants in the study’s overall workout times DOUBLED when they worked out with a buddy
• Challenge you-   When working out with a friend you can be pushed to do more sets, reps, laps or miles. Working opposite each other can create a more competitive environment that can help you to work harder. 
• Build relationships- studies have also shown that working out can actually help build relationships with friends and significant others.  Relationships improve because partners work towards achieving goals together and motivating one another. 
• Save money- Most gyms and fitness studios have deals for signing up or joining with a friend.  If you are working with a personal trainer partner rates tend to be lower than individual rates as well. 
• New technology- if you prefer to workout solo, many new cardio machines offer some sort of race mode where you can compete against someone created by the computer for an individual challenge.