Do you need a workout buddy?
Do you ever struggle to find the motivation to work out? It can be hard when there are a million other things to do, and a million credible excuses not to work out!
So motivation can often get in the way of action to achieve your fitness goals, there are lots of ways to increase motivation. Being Valentines weekend there is one that seems worth a mention! Working out with a buddy either your partner or a friend can have amazing benefits.
Even if you work out well on your own, having a buddy can help you give that extra little to your workouts and that extra little bit every time can be the key to making longer strides towards your fitness goals.
Before you grab your partner and take off to your first class together take note of my few little tips, be the best workout buddy you can be and your workout buddy may well do the same...
Support = Results
Social support has been shown to improve the effectiveness of your fitness attempts, a study at Stanford University showed that even just receiving a phone call once every 2 weeks can boost the amount of exercise you do by up to 78% (on average). The call, which was by either a human or a computer, would find out how much exercise was done in the past week, how the level of exercise could be increased the following week, and if any workouts were missed, emphasise the importance of getting back on track.
The interesting result was that after 18 months, they were still exercising at the increased level. So even if you can’t find a workout buddy yet, at the very least you can get a friend to call you and ask some questions each week, which will boost your motivation considerably.
If social support works so well on the phone when you make that support face-to-face, it’s even more powerful – you’re definitely going to be making the most of your workouts, and the more consistent you are with your workouts, the sooner you’re going to achieve your fitness goals.
Your commitment will be stronger too boosting your confidence in achieving your fitness goals along with the likelihood of you getting where you want to be.
Keeping Strong
With a workout buddy beside you there is someone checking your form, reminding you of the points to remember to get each exercise spot on. It’s easy to let your form slip when you are on your own, your buddy will spur you on and make sure you concentrate on keeping your plank strong and your posture correct. Your buddy may even make you finish to the very last second of your interval or make sure you complete all those reps because let’s face it on our own we are all guilty of skimping - just a little!
Sticking with it
There is one last thing that your workout buddy will do for you – make you do it! You won’t want to be the one to gives up will you? Neither will your partner!
So who is the right workout buddy for you? Here is my little checklist to help you choose!
You like this person a lot and they make you laugh
You both have similar goals – being on the same track will help so much
You like the same type of exercise – maybe you both want to run 5k or you love Pilates make sure it is something you can do together that meets both your goals
You can both workout at the same times! Very important as if your diaries don’t match and you can’t get together often enough it just won’t work!
Our aim at Fit In Minutes is to provide you with daily exercise and nutrition solutions, to coach you towards individual success whatever that looks like to you so that you can feel fitter, healthier and know you have a way of fitting exercise into your life. If you sign up to personal training this week with a partner (Saturday 14th February - Saturday 21st February) you will get 2 for the price of 1 (maximum 6 session at offer price), if all sessions are taken together.
To book your free consultation click on the link above, call us now on 07973 751190 or email Kirsty@fitinminutes.co.uk. We look forward to helping you be the healthiest you can be, one step at a time!
Kirsty x
Fit in mind
Fit in body
Fit in your life
