Unfortunately some of us aren’t as self motivated as we’d like to be, so having a training buddy can really be a game changer. If you think about it, even high level athletes have nothing but praise for their network of training support. Your training buddy could be a friend, co-worker, family member, spouse or even someone a little more qualified like a personal trainer. Whoever it is, there is a multitude of reasons as to why you should look in to finding one of your own.
Accountability
Having someone to train with can actually increase your commitment to your training and goals. Sometimes this happens out of fear that you’re not only letting yourself down but your buddy too, if you decide to go home and sit on the couch instead. Other times it can simply be because you and your training buddy need to line up schedules which means you are setting out specific times for your training sessions. This helps you make that commitment prior to the session rather then basing your decision to train on how your day went or how you are feeling right now.
Motivation
Fortunately motivation is infectious. When you’re in a bit of a rut with your training it can really help to have someone in your corner reminding you why you started, someone to tell you that you can do that extra rep or run that extra kilometre, someone to encourage you to push a little harder. Training with someone you like spending time with can make your sessions more fun, this will increase your enjoyment and therefore boost your motivation and desire to train.
Safety
Your training buddy is like your safety net. A training buddy who is engaged and educated can help keep your form in check, support you when you try a new exercise and spot you when you’re doing higher risk exercises (ie. bench press). A good training buddy will also keep tabs on your ego to ensure your not training beyond you capabilities. Put this altogether and it will improve the overall safety of your training practices and minimise your risk of injury.
Improved Results
When you train with a buddy who has the same goals as you, you’re much more likely to achieve them. As I mentioned your training buddy will have you training more consistently, with more intensity and they’ll be there to support you when things get hard and you feel like giving up. This is a winning combination. Why? Because this will further cement your commitment to both your goals, your training and your training buddy, this will have you achieving results much sooner.
So surely your training buddy can’t just be anyone. Correct. Your training buddy needs to be someone you enjoy spending time with, this might seem obvious but it’s worth mentioning. They need to be someone who can motivate you or inspire you. Remember a bit of healthy competition is a positive thing so training with someone you view as a little fitter or stronger can give you a healthy benchmark to work towards. For your training buddy to truly support you then you both need to be working towards the same goal and follow a similar schedule. They must be reliable and come with a positive attitude ready to train, yes a little chit chat is great but let’s not forget why we’re here. Ok, time to grab a buddy and get training.
xx Tara
Do you prefer to train alone or with a buddy? Let me know in the comments section below.
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