The Buddy System

Two Heads Are Better Than One

 

Why is training with a partner more productive? There are a number of reasons, but one of the key benefits is that it’s more fun!

These days, our lifestyles are becoming increasingly independent of group interaction and are socially fragmented; with most of us having a ‘cross that we bear’ called the need to exercise.

We are in fact social animals and we require the support of friendships to flourish and develop our true potential.

No matter how disciplined you are, or how much you enjoy your training, sharing it with a friend makes it more fun. Of course your own motivation still has to be there, but arranging to train with a friend or a group is particularly helpful when things like work or family pressures aren’t going your way, or when the whether is lousy and the couch is calling!

However there’s a lot more to training with somebody. You have a chance to learn from each other – different techniques and routines – exercise variations.

For partners who are fairly evenly matched in terms of fitness, there’s also the added spice of a little competition. Who hasn’t been inspired to punch harder or bench press 10kg more when working with a mate? “If they can do it, so can I!” Ask any experienced trainer and they will tell you that no matter how motivated you are, it’s those workouts performed with a buddy that turn out to be those you remember long after the aches and pains have gone away!

Resistance Training

One of the best reasons to partner train here is having someone to spot for you. Basically this involves having someone to stand over you while you perform reps. During the reps your partner will guide and encourage you. When you fatigue your partner aids in the final parts of the lift, resulting in you lifting more weight over greater reps.

Aerobic Training

There is no substitute for longer, steady-paced sessions for some serious calorie-burning. Having a training partner can make all the difference. It can seem like an eternity on your own, but with a friend by your side the time can pass effortlessly.

Speed Sessions

It can sometimes be hard to psyche yourself up to train to failure with weights, and it is the same when mentally preparing for a maximum-paced aerobic work out. However with a training partner the support and encouragement means you can get the hard stuff done together and warm down together!

Fitness Classes

Need help to arrive at the gym? Or maybe you are sitting there wondering why the heck you just can’t get motivated to get your workout done – because you’ve managed the treadmill/bike/cross trainer for the last 6 months with this sense of dread kicking in?

Girls and guys! You need change! Dive into one of the group fitness classes.

They key thing here is that doing the same thing time and time again can be draining, un-motivating and result in training plateaus. Recognize them before they become the precursor for a training lapse.

 

December 2009