How Exercising With Others Can Improve Your Workouts

Are you struggling to find the motivation to work out or to push yourself during your workouts? Instead of exercising solo, why not consider finding a workout buddy to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. There’s strength in numbers, and working out with people can go a long way to help you level up your training and feel more excited about moving your body.

You can motivate each other

Sometimes when that morning alarm goes off, you simply can’t resist the temptation to hit snooze and go back to sleep. But if you know you have someone waiting for you, suddenly it’s not just you who will be impacted if you decide to skip a workout. A workout buddy can hold you accountable, encourage you to show up, and motivate you to keep going on the days when you’re not feeling your best.

You can challenge each other

In those moments when you’re out of breath, your muscles are burning and you’re ready to throw in the towel, having someone else working out with you can provide that push you need to keep going and smash out those last few reps. Not only does this make for a fun and challenging workout, it also can lead to faster improvements in your fitness.

Research from Kansas State University found that exercising with someone who you perceive to be fitter than you can even increase the intensity of your workout by up to 200%. So if you’re looking to feel challenged, it can help to look for a buddy who is at a similar fitness level or slightly more advanced. It’s a win-win where you’re both benefiting from each other’s presence, and having a whole lot more fun in the process!

You can improve your technique

Finding a friend who knows how to perform movements properly, safely and effectively can also help you level up your workout! Ask your workout buddy to point out any areas you could improve in so you can work on improving your form and do the same for them! It’s a great way to make sure you’re both working out safely and avoiding injury along the way.

You can mix it up

Having a workout partner means you can inspire each other to try different types of movement, step out of your comfort zone and avoid workout boredom. Maybe one session you’ll decide to practice yoga and the next you’ll opt for High Intensity Interval Training.

So why not mix things up with a friend and try something new? You might even find a whole new training style you truly love and enjoy.

You might improve your emotional wellbeing

Don’t underestimate the power of a workout buddy to make your training more enjoyable and give you both an outlet to wind down. Whether it’s a high-five after finishing that last squat, or laughing together to get through the burn, having a feeling of social connection can not only make your workouts more enjoyable but decrease your stress.

A 2017 study on the effects of group fitness classes on medical students found working out in a group might even decrease perceived stress and improve emotional wellbeing. Good vibes all round!

You can expand your social circle

If you can’t find the right workout buddy or prefer working out in a larger group, why not attend a meetup with other members of the Sweat Community? It’s a great way to meet new people either in person or virtually, and reap all the benefits of a workout buddy.

Sticking to any workout routine is going to be much easier if you enjoy it, and doing it with someone else is a simple way to make it a whole lot more fun. So grab your friends (or reach out to the Sweat Community) and Sweat together!

Don’t compare yourself to your workout buddy

While a bit of healthy competition can benefit both of you, try not to compare yourself to your workout buddy. You should be motivating each other to push yourself to your own limits.

We all have different strengths and abilities, and that’s okay! You might be able to do more push-ups on your toes, while your friend might be a faster runner.

Instead of comparing yourself and your fitness ability or performance to your friends, a good way to shift your mindset is by asking yourself what you can learn from them or be inspired by them. If you’re going to make any comparisons, focus on yourself and how far you’ve come.

Do you have a workout buddy? Let us know in the comments what you love the most about exercising together!