10 Reasons to Workout with your Buddy

Find out why you should workout with a friend in this guest blog post from Jodie and Lisa - the amazing Workout Warriors!

We LOVE working out together! If you struggle with motivation or a lack confidence, our best advice is to workout with a pal. Even if you enjoy your solo workouts, a buddy can help push you to the next level, keep you on track and drive you to improve your fitness levels.

Here are 10 reasons why we're so passionate about workout buddies…

1. Supporting each other to achieve your goals – there’s been stacks of research relating to the benefits of working out with a partner, the impact it can have on regularity of exercising and achieving results. A study by Harvard University showed that people who signed up to a gym with a partner were consistent in their programme 97% of the time, compared to 47% who went it alone. Accountability and not wanting to let your partner down will motivate you to move your bones and stick to your schedule.

2. It’s more fun - Two heads are better than one; while we enjoy working out on our own and getting into the zone, when we workout together we spend most of the time having a right good chuckle! You can get in a serious workout without wearing your serious face. If exercising doesn’t come naturally and it’s not something you get a kick out of (then join our fitness classes in Swindon and we'll show you how to get those endorphins moving!), bring along your best friend and we're confident it will change your mindset, and help stop you from watching the clock.

3. Face into your gym fears – there's safety in numbers. If you want to try a new class, a move you've never done or conquer that piece of equipment you've been too nervous to take on, it's easier to feel the fear and do it anyway when you've got your buddy for backup, give it a go and have a laugh together.

4. Form – this is one of the best reasons; having someone to keep you in check, and make sure you don't forget yourself when you're pulling your bad ass moves, means you're more likely to maximise results and exercise safely.

5. A bit of friendly competition makes you perform better – most of us have a little competitive streak; one study found that participants perform better when they are paired up with a partner that out-performs them, in fact it made participants work up to 40% harder! Just remember, if your partner is fitter and/or stronger than you, use this to your advantage and help motivate you, gradually improve your performance; be mindful not to push yourself too hard too soon in the name of beating your mate to the finish line! 

6. Motivation and support – having someone in your corner encouraging you will aid your motivation and your results. Think of yourselves as each other's personal cheerleader.

7. Workout safer – having someone to spot you during resistance training makes your workout safer. Exercising out and about, no matter the time of day, is always best with someone by your side. We're better together!

8. Variety – we love bouncing ideas off each other; we each have our own style and we challenge each other to workout smarter and push ourselves. Jodie has a huge bank of moves that I have never done and would never of thought of (and Lisa always makes me laugh, exercise buzz and a giggle - double the rush!).

9. Increases commitment – there's no doubt it's easier to press snooze and pull the duvet over your head when your alarm goes off at 6am, rather than getting up and getting into your training gear. BUT if you know you're bailing on your bestie and leaving them all alone in the gym, you're more likely to be motivated to move your butt and get out of bed. And if you do opt for a sleep in instead of a workout, the snarky texts from the treadmill will be enough to make sure you're there with them next time!

10. Time with friends – we all lead such busy lives, weeks can go by without seeing your buds; we don't need to tell you how important girl time is for your sanity. If you're lucky enough to have a friend that shares your passion or your desire to exercise and improve fitness, you'd be mad not to get out there together and make it happen! Get healthy, get girl time, win win.

Why not bring your buddy to one of our all-female fitness classes in Swindon? Check out our fitness classes web page for details on dates and venues.

Lisa and Jodie xx