Studies have shown that the level of social support an athlete receives can significantly impact their training progress.   One of the best forms of support comes from having a “ride-or-die” workout partner and here are 5 reasons why:

5.  A Little Friendly Competition is a Good Thing!

It is plain ol’ human nature to constantly strive to be better.  Competition is healthy and gives us an extra push when we feel like giving up.  Having a workout buddy increases our motivation to do just as good as someone else, if not better!  Even if you and your partner are not exactly on the same fitness level, friendly competition can make establishing and reaching goals a little more FUN!

4.  They’ve Got Your Back

Safety is always a top concern when working out, especially in a gym atmosphere.  Having an extra set of hands to spot lifts will give you that extra burst of confidence to try new exercises or advance to a higher weight.  Even if you and your partner simply keep an eye on each other’s form, having that external support can really aid in avoiding serious injuries.

3.  Get Out of Your Comfort Zone…Together

Little known fact:  Batman is actually just a normal guy in tights and cape without Robin.  Well…not really, but he certainly wouldn’t be as “Super” of a Super Hero without his faithful sidekick.  And the same goes with you!  Having your workout partner by your side will give you that little boost of extra confidence to step outside of your fitness “comfort zone”.  The gym can be pretty intimidating place, but doing the same old “safe” workouts that you are familiar for each and every session will ultimately lead to a plateau in your progress.  Having your partner by your side will make it a little less scary to try an unfamiliar machine or a new technique to stir things up a bit.

2.  Variety is the Spice of Life

Not only does doing the same exercises get boring after a while, so does exercising in the same gym.  Having a change in scenery every now and then can be incredibly inspiring and motivating.  Luckily, most cities and towns have multiple fitness facilities with memberships that allow their members to bring a guest for free.  Each facility is a little different, each with their respective positives and (sometimes) not-so positive features.  Having a gym buddy with a membership at another local facility can be beneficial for both parties.  You can take turns being each other’s “guest” and switch up the workout environment.  It’s like paying for one membership, but having access to multiple gyms!!!

1.  And the number one reason workout buddies rock…Motivation!!!!

Everyone needs a driving force to keep them focused and motivated to reach their fitness goals.  Having a dedicated workout partner can do just that.  Think about it….it is pretty hard to feel lazy and decide to skip a workout session when another person is depending on you.  Simply being there for one another to show support and encouragement can make a huge difference in both of your fitness journeys.