Should You Make Your Sweat Session Social or Solo?
This is a good question isn’t it? When it comes down to which is best for your fitness routine and the results you wish to achieve, the answer isn’t always an easy one.
When you join a gym, your main objective is to succeed at reaching your personal fitness goals. So, it doesn’t matter if it’s a workout with you, yourself, and I or a sweaty session with three of your favorite friends. If it gets the job done, do it! In a hectic world of cellphones, Facebook, email, job responsibilities, and family obligations, the sixty minutes you spend in the gym may be the only time you have to yourself all day. Believe me, I know how important it is to use that time wisely! Let’s take a look at a few of the pros and cons of a workout that is social or solo.
Pros
Buddy Support
There is no doubt that your pals’ encouragement can help you stick to your fitness regimen. Studies have proven that a higher percentage of people who start a weight-loss program with a friend complete the program and maintain their weight loss, compared to those who choose to tackle the program alone.
A Social Event
If you are a people person, working out in a group can almost be like going to a bar without the alcohol. You can chat during down time, check out what the other guys and gals are wearing (if you’re into that), and get a good workout.
Keep You Motivated
Working out with a buddy or with a group can help keep you motivated, especially on days when your energy is lagging and you’re tempted to leave work and drive straight home. You know who you are!
Stick With It
It’s easier to stick with a workout program when you have to meet someone at the gym. When your workout partner is counting on you to be there, you will be less likely to skip out.
Accountability
When you answer to no one but yourself, it can become a habit to cancel a workout after a long, busy day. You may think that canceling one or two workouts won’t hurt you, but if you miss just one it’s becomes harder to make it a routine.
Up For A Challenge
Sometimes the voice in your head that’s supposed to be your support system just isn’t loud enough. Having someone there to challenge you to do five more minutes on the treadmill or two more reps on the bench press is a good thing!
Try Something New
When you’re a new member at a gym, walking into a room filled with enthusiastic gym patrons can be intimidating. One study found working out with others in a room with mirrors (like most group fitness rooms) made new members, especially women feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. However, trying something new isn’t so bad when you have someone by your side.
It Will Be More Fun
Making gym time more social helps boost the fun factor! The saying “time flies when you’re having fun” is especially true when you work out with a friend. It’s a great time to catch up, blow off some steam, and laugh while working out. Plus, when you reach a goal, you’ve got someone to celebrate with!
Cons
You Don’t Play Well With Others
If you are shy, socially awkward, or just an outright grumpy person you may find working out with a gym buddy to be stressful. If this is the case, fly solo! Exercise and the person you are meeting to exercise with should be something you look forward to, not dread.
Your Friends Are Hurting You
There’s a lot written and repeated about how your workout buddies help push you to be your best. However, in reality, that’s only true if the people you exercise with are on the same bus as you. You know what I mean. If he or she spends most of their time talking about the beers they pounded last night, the burger they are dying to try at McDonalds, and the milkshake they drank on the way there, you may be in trouble.
You Can’t Get Ahead
You and your workout buddy may not be at the same fitness level. When you’re in the workout zone, there’s nothing worse than having to slow down because your partner can’t keep up. This can be a BIG problem!
Your Workout Partner Is a Flake
No one likes to be stood up, and being stranded at the gym without a workout partner on a regular basis can make the whole gym experience a real negative one. Having a flakey friend as a workout partner is a bad idea.
Your Schedules Don’t Match
If your workout buddy has you meeting them at the gym at five am when you were up until two, you need a reality check! You need to be awake and alert when you are working out. Otherwise you will end up less than satisfied with your results.
You Both Don’t know What You’re Doing
If you and your workout partner just joined a gym and have no idea what you are doing, I wouldn’t recommend you train together. At least until you get some help! My motto is if you aren’t going to do it right you shouldn’t be doing it at all. The two of you together will end up doing more harm than good. I would suggest you purchase a few sessions with a qualified personal trainer so he or she can show you the basics. Please don’t let “That Guy” (who thinks he knows everything) tell you he can show you how to use the equipment. There’s a reason why people go to a fitness professional for help!
In Conclusion:
There’s no denying that a workout buddy can help keep you motivated, dedicated and encouraged. However, having a workout buddy is not for everyone and it definitely has its pros and cons. Whether it will be beneficial for you or not really comes down to your workout routine, your personality, and what would be best for you to achieve your goals. The right workout buddy can definitely make all the difference in the world, but the wrong one can turn out to be the worst decision you’ve made! Think about your personal goals and what would be the ideal workout situation for you. What is the kind of environment where you do your best work? I can’t tell you whether or not you should make your sweat session social or solo. Ultimately, the decision has to be yours. Good luck to you.
Did you or someone you know become noticeably healthier, stronger, leaner, and more physically fit from a new commitment to exercise? Go to Champions Fitness-Center on Facebook, request us as a friend and share your personal success story! Inspire others to get in shape! We want to hear all about it. I am currently certified by the National Sports Conditioning Association, Apex Fitness Group, and the International Sports Science Association. If you have a question and/or topic you would like me to discuss please e-mail me at isellgraphs@aol.com. If you would like to set up a free consultation with one of our certified fitness professionals please call Champions Fitness at 452-5522.
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