Conde Nast Digital Studio
Nora Zelevansky, SELF magazine
My husband and I recently started Cool Running's 9-week conditioning
app, Couch-To-5K. Three days a week, we jog around our neighborhood.
Despite my grumpy morning mood, I've noticed something: We never miss a
workout.
Past research -- like a 2009 Penn Medicine study -- has shown that
having partners in exercise can increase weight loss. And, more
recently, a May 2011 Michigan State University study found that even
virtual workout buddies with superior ability increased motivation --
the relevant subjects held postures for 24% longer!
Related: How Jennifer Hudson Lost 80 Pounds
Clearly, sometimes it takes two to make a thing go right. Still, it's
important to choose the right partner for your particular exercise
level and regimen. Keep the following attributes in mind, when
choosing your workout buddy:
1. Exercise Type:
According to the Running Doc, Lewis G. Maharam, MD, whether or not
someone prefers a partner is individual, but is also largely dictated
by activity. For instance, while many runners prefer to insert ear
buds and exercise solo, a partner may be considered more useful in
other arenas: "If you're doing weight work or cross-training in the
gym, it's good to have a partner to spot," explains Maharam. "Also,
the most common cause of injuries is bad form, which can be hard to
determine for yourself. So it's good to have someone else who can
check your position." The same goes for yoga and Pilates.
2. Fitness Level:
Look for a buddy whose fitness level is in the same stratosphere as
your own. "It's really hard to exercise with someone who is light
years ahead of or behind you. The danger is that you'll end up either
doing too much or too little," says Maharam. "For instance, runners
use pace as a guide, when looking for partners. You don't want to go
out and run a marathon the first day."
See Also: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs
3. Skill Level:
That said, for new exercisers or even regular exercisers who are trying
a new sport or activity, a bit of experience can go a long way in a
partner. "If you're going to play tennis for the first time, for
example, you want someone around who already plays and may be able to
help you find your swing," the doctor recommends. Just make sure that
more skilled person is still feeling stimulated.
4. Relationship:
Generally, any friend or acquaintance will do, as long as there's some
sense of camaraderie. "You can't back out, if you've committed to say
a 3 mile training run with another person," says Maharam. Research
shows that exercise enhances your sex life, so working out with a
significant other can only be good!
American Council on Exercise or ACE-certified personal trainer, group
class instructor, exercise physiologist and in-house Certification
Director, Jessica Matthews sees benefits to exercising with another
person: "Working out with a partner has some of the same benefits as
working out with a personal trainer -- it provides that extra
motivation and incentive, an accountability factor."
The best part of having a workout buddy? There's someone to fist pump
when you're all done.
Click here for a video demonstration of great two-person workout moves.
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