Workout Partners – Do You Need One?

Photo Credit: April Greer

Chances are, if you’ve been working out for any extensive period of time, you’ve likely had a “workout partner” at one point.  Your experience with said partner could’ve been great, mediocre or it could’ve been so treacherous that you would rather eat dirt or light your shorts on fire.  I know about the latter from personal experiences.

I’ve had many friends and acquaintances over the years ask to work out with me, but something usually came up.  Many flaked out, our schedules changed or I just got sick and tired of doing more talking than lifting.  I guess the only time I’ve ever had a steady workout partner was during athletics when we all trained together -  we had no choice.  Then, after high school, my best friend lived with me for a summer and we continued to work out together.  He’s been the only workout partner I could actually stand and this was because we had similar goals and shared the same athletic background, plus he is practically my brother.  He then went off to school on a football scholarship and I was on my own again.

So, should you have a workout partner or should you fly solo, like me?  The answer is it depends. If you click that link, it will take you to an awesome article by Steven Bubel.  His article somewhat inspired this piece.  So, let us take a look at some pros and cons of having a workout partner.

The Pro’s of a Workout Partner

When I was thinking of all the good things about having a workout partner, I have to admit I was a bit stumped since I tend to go it alone.   I called upon a good friend of mine Roger Lawson from RogLawFitness to share his thoughts with us.

A good training partner is like having a pair of arms: you don’t need them to be successful, but it sure as hell helps! There are numerous benefits to having a partner, from having great bench lift-offs, spots, and a general kick in the ass when the going gets tough. In order to get the most benefit out of having one, it’s best to choose carefully, making sure they are either at your level or slightly above it. If you choose a complete newbie as your partner, while it may be helpful for them to gain experience from working with you, you might not get that push you need from them in the gym. If you choose someone who is far out of your league, while it gives you something to aim for, you also run the risk of becoming discouraged by the fact that you’re always catching up to them.

Alright already, so there are some positives to physical interaction and working out with others.  I kid.  I must admit that when mine and Steve’s (my best friend I mentioned earlier) schedules are similar, I absolutely love training with him.  He is bigger and stronger than I, and he absolutely kicks my ass.  When I don’t feel like I can improve my squats, he adds another twenty pounds, pushes me to my limit and then past it.  I will pick a weight I normally do for 10 reps and by the time the set is over, I’ve completed 20+ reps only to find myself lying on the ground in the fetal position grasping for the waste basket.  This type of intensity is responsible for the quads I’ve managed to acquire.

I would say the main advantage of having a steady, focused training partner is the ability to push each other on a consistent basis.  You can also afford to go a little further in terms of intensity more often due to the fact that you know each others limits and can always provide a spot or extra nudge when needed.

The Con’s of a Workout Partner

While there are many pros to working out with someone on a regular basis, there is always a grim experience for every positive one.  Now, I’m not aiming to be the unruly pessimist here, but I feel must share my personal experience.  Out of all the guys I’ve routinely trained with, only 1-2 were ever a good fit.

Other than training with my best friend, I’ve pretty much flown solo.  I get irritated and distracted too easily, therefore I like to work out alone.   As long as I have Rage Against The Machine screaming obscenities in my ears, I am golden.  I talk to no one unless I need a spot.  I avoid eye contact and casual conversation altogether.  This is not because I’m some pompous jackass, it’s simply because when I frequent the gym, I go to train; I am focused, driven and ready to release my daily stressors on a heavy barbell.

For this section, I asked Ryan Zielonka for his thoughts on the matter.

Like women, training partners come in all shapes, sizes, varying in affect, demeanor, physical and mental capacity. Some of my finest and most productive workouts were performed in tandem with a training partner. That said some of my worst workouts were too.

I disagree with the doctrine to always train with a partner if given the opportunity, and even more emphatically disagree with the absolutist maxim to seek training partners stronger than you. Some of the least informed, ‘roided out douche bags push the most weight in commercial gyms. They are ubiquitous, maintain an unrepentant fondness for floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and prowl the floor promulgating bodybuilding mythologies. Beware the over-gelled, excessively spiked hair, and stay away.

Realistically, I see two scenarios where a partner will be of benefit. First, if you find yourself in a mentor/student relationship with your partner. Either you as the tutor or you as the student, but critically evaluate the proficiency of your associate if you find yourself in the latter role. Second, if you find someone who maintains the same level of commitment to training as yourself and is willing to follow your routine. In these cases, the more, the merrier, so don’t feel limited to training with just one other person.

Outside these two options, you are more apt to socialize, feel discouraged, or find yourself derailed from the path to progress. Educate yourself and pop in some noise-cancelling ear buds when you are at the gym, and if someone crosses your path in life that meets the above criterion, invite them into the fold.

It is rare to find an ideal training partner at the gym. The only ones I found worth training with are the ones I helped mold.

I want to point out something Ryan mentioned and it’s something I’ve seen time and time again.  Many guys spend too much time chatting in the gym.  Now it’s not to say that you shouldn’t socialize; you should, as it’s healthy and normal, but I don’t believe that’s your sole reason for being there.  If that’s what you are there for, then cool; do your thing.

However, if your goal is to make significant progress, I’d say to save most of your socializing for before and after.  The gym is your place to put in the hard work when pursuing your ideal physique.

Out of all the ladies I’ve seen in my university gym training lately, I’d venture to say they get more ass-busting work done for their time spent than most of the bro’s do.

So what about you?  How do you feel about workout partners?  Do you have one or are you all by yourself, like me?

Tagged as: Bodybuilding, Gym Etiquette, Strength Training, Training