Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/450770
26 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 W hen it comes to working out, there are two basic types of people—those who work out alone and those who work out with others. For some people, solo workouts make sense. With the time constraints imposed by a busy career, family, and social activities, solitude often comes at a premium. Besides, finding a partner with similar goals and fitness levels can be challenging. But what are you missing out on if you always work out alone? Finding a workout partner can open up your schedule, help you break through your fitness plateaus, and make exercise safer and more fun. In my 16 years in the personal training business, I have witnessed three clear benefits of partner training. 1. SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY When no one else is directly affected by your absence, skipping a workout has few consequences. But if a friend is there, waiting to take the beating with you, your chances of showing up increase dramatically. 2. MOTIVATION The right partner can provide the necessary competitive intensity to push you to the next level. Partners also check your form and spot you in moments of fatigue. The key to a symbiotic relationship is to know what you can bring to the workout and to serve it up properly when your turn comes. 3. CAMARADERIE AND FUN Struggling together as a team fosters closeness and trust between participants. Having a workout buddy—or a few— also offers a social escape during difficult workouts. Good partners will also listen to each other's stresses and worries and help one another through life's difficulties. Although workout partners can be great for motivation, they can also create peer pressure. It's important to know when you have reached your peak. Your goal should be to be ready for your next workout, not to push yourself to the point of injury. Working out always comes with risk. A good partner will help you mitigate that risk and find your next level. Whether you work out alone or with others, follow a plan that includes a warm-up, a tapering-off period, and stretching. Remember, physical fitness is a way of life, not a new year's resolution. Contact fitness@wac.net for more information about group or personal training. Stronger together How partner training can elevate your fitness Getting Fit By Scott Spraggins, WAC Personal Trainer L U K E R U TA N