If you’ve been working out on your own for a long time, eventually you’ll reach a point where it gets too routine and boring. Bringing a workout buddy along might be just what you need to get that extra boost of motivation, and to make working out fun again.
Did you know people tend to workout harder when someone else is there? Maybe it’s the competitive spirit in us, or the desire to show off. Whatever it may be, everybody kicks it up a notch when someone is there watching.
Benefits of having a workout partner:
- You’re held accountable to someone
- You’ll be motivated to work harder than normal
- You can be more consistent if both of you push each other
- It’s fun!
The key is to make sure you both are active at the same time. It’s much more effective that way. You shouldn’t be texting and chatting the whole time (even though this might be your “girl time”), or eyeing the hottie across the room.
Try this workout for an element of teamwork:
What You Need:
1 medicine ball light to medium weight (4-8 lbs.)
4 dumbbells medium weight (8-15 lbs.)
Stopwatch (or phone to keep time)
*Perform workout in a circuit fashion. Rest as little as possible (less than 30 seconds) between exercises and 1-2 minutes between circuits.
*Do 2-4 circuits
- Russian twist with medicine ball toss sideways to partner– 60 seconds
- Wall sit with medicine ball handoff to partner – 60 seconds
- Front plank with partner shoulder tap – 60 seconds
- Lying leg throw downs (one of AshLee’s favorites) – 10 reps
- Squat jumps (both people at the same time) – 30 seconds
- One person does a renegade row while the other person does dumbbell chest press on the floor. Then tradeoff – 15 reps of each
- Sit up with medicine ball toss forward to partner – 60 seconds
- Dumbbell lunges (both people at the same time) – 60 seconds
- One person does dumbbell bicep curls while the other person does lying dumbbell triceps extensions. Then tradeoff. – 30 seconds