A good training partner can help you immensely in your
workouts but a bad one can spell disaster. Before you
decide if you want a partner, you need this information.
A good training partner can be a great asset to your
training but if you get stuck with a bad one, it could lead
you down the road to frustration. Be selective when
choosing a training partner. Not every person is a good one
(some can be downright horrible!).
What To Look For?
1. Punctual
Nothing is more frustrating than waiting to
start a workout when you're ready to go but your partner
is late.
2. Dependable
Choose someone who you are sure will show up
for every scheduled workout or who will call you if they
can't make it. It is a drain on your valuable energy
(especially before training) to have to constantly remind
and harass.
3. No Personality Conflict
It is obviously not a good idea
to train with someone who annoys you, unless of course you
want to focus that negative energy into your training.
If you dread going to work out because you can't stand
your partner, soon you may not work out at all.
4. Similar Strength Levels
Look for someone who is at the
same or a little above your strength level. When your
strength is the similar, you won't have to constantly
switch weights.
If they are stronger, it will motivate
you to use heavier weights. It is okay to lift with
someone who is much stronger or much weaker than you, but
be prepared to do a lot of weight switching.
5. Training Level
If you are a beginner, try to find
someone who knows what they are doing. You will get
more out of your training than if you train with another
beginner.
6. Motivation
Find someone with a similar motivation level
as you. It you are gung-ho and your partner is ho-hum,
you will be dragged down and your progress will suffer.
If you are both "psycho," you can get some incredible
workouts though! If you are moderately intense and lift
with someone who is much more intense and willing to
drive you, it can spur you onto much greater intensity.
7. Attitude
Get a partner with a positive attitude. This
is very important. If they constantly say that something
is impossible or that they can't or you can't do something,
you may end up believing them. Do not train with someone
who is satisfied with no improvement.
8. Open Mind
Get a partner with an open mind. Someone who
has to do things his or her way all the time, will not
listen to you and will not change his or her mind is
not a good partner to have.
In every partnership, one
person will tend to be the leader. The leader should
take into account the needs and feelings of the other
partner not totally ignore them.
9. Overpartnering
Do not get too many training partners.
Sometimes a group of friends want to work out together.
This is okay if there aren't too many of you. You won't
get a good workout if you always have to wait for your
partners to do their sets and you will probably end up
talking too much. Three in a group is probably the most
you can deal with and even that is probably pushing it.
10. Spotting
Get someone you feel comfortable with
spotting you. One of the main roles of a training
partner is spotting and if you don't trust them,
there's not much point in having them around to help.
11. Male/Female Training Partners
Members of the opposite
gender often make excellent training partners. Showing
off is good motivator for using heavier weights or
working harder. One of the obvious drawbacks might be
the differing amounts of weight used.
If there is only
one bench press available and one benches 300 pounds
while the other benches 95 pounds, changing the weight
is going to take awhile. This can be solved by having
one person doing dumbell presses on the same bench
rather than barbell presses.
While there are a number of advantages to having a training
partner such as spotting, motivation, and companionship,
there are also advantages to working alone, e.g. self-
reliance, self-focus, no hassles over schedule, no one to
wait for, etc. In the end, it is really up to you whether
or not you want or need a training partner.
Good Luck,
BetterU@fitstep.com
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