Selecting the ideal exercise partner

 

Having a workout partner can keep you motivated & accountable; & finding the right workout partner can push your workout to the next level. But the wrong workout partner can demotivate you & stall you on your path to wellness.

Since having a workout partner has been proven to improve weight-loss results, but the wrong workout partner could hold you back, here is a quiz to determine if your current partner is the right or wrong partner for you. If you don’t already have a workout partner, the answers will give you an idea on what to look for in a workout partner.

 

My partner bails on me….

• a. Never
• b. Frequently
• c. Every now & then, but he/she always give me notice
• d. Actually, I’m the one who bails; sometimes I need a break

When it comes to our fitness levels….

• a. It doesn’t seem to matter that we have different levels & goals – we’re just getting out & having fun
• b. I’m always pushing my partner, trying to teach him/her new things; it can be frustrating
• c. We’re pretty well-matched & use our individual strengths to keep workouts effective
• d. My partner has a lot more experience than I do & acts like my mentor or trainer

My biggest challenge with my workout partner is….

• a. Exercising as hard as I should
• b. Getting him/her to keep up with me
• c. Finding new things to do that we haven’t done before
• d. Keeping up

I picked my partner because….

• a. He/She’s my best friend – we do everything together
• b. I am trying to motivate my partner to get fit
• c. Our fitness goals & schedules are similar
• d. I have so much to learn compared to someone as fit as my partner

Keeping up with my partner is….

• a. Not a problem – we always seem to go the same pace
• b. Not an issue – my partner has to keep up with me
• c. A fun challenge
• d. Impossible

Our workouts consist mostly of….

• a. Catching up on each others’ lives & talking about our favorite TV shows
• b. Convincing my partner that exercise is worth it & he/she can do it
• c. Evaluating our progress & pushing ourselves to do better
• d. My partner correcting my form & waiting for me to catch up

Our standard workout might consist of….

• a. Rollerblading or walking through the park – something we can do side by side
• b. Running laps solo because my partner bailed again
• c. Trying out ADAPT-type workouts or signing up for a dance class
• d. Racing, lifting weights, or anything competitive

Would you & your partner ever sign up for a triathlon or a half-marathon….

• a. No way, that’s out of our league
• b. I’d consider it, but my partner never would
• c. Sure, we love to challenge ourselves!
• d. My partner could, but I’m not ready

Tally Your Total

If you have mostly A        You have best friend baggage. Whether your partner is your BFF or your spouse, you might spend too much time socializing & not enough time sweating. It’s great that you & your bestie get active together rather than eat out or laze around, but you need to take your workout more seriously if you want true health benefits. Have a heart-to-heart with your partner about upping the intensity – or maybe find another workout partner who’ll gossip less & push you more.

If you have mostly B         Your partner isn’t nearly as serious about his/her fitness as you are, leaving you in the lurch. You find yourself working out solo more often than not & you wonder why you even bother with him/her. It’s great that you keep going – & that you’re willing to spend so much time motivating someone who obviously needs it – but don’t sell yourself short. You’ll lose more weight if you can find a  partner on par with your goals & abilities.

If you have mostly C         Looks like you have a partner worth hanging on to. With well-matched fitness levels & goals, you can let out your competitive nature to keep both of you pushing beyond your limits, & your different strengths keep things fresh & fun.

If you have mostly D         Sounds like your partner is more advanced than you. While it’s not bad to have someone who can show you the ropes & introduce you to new exercises, if you find that your partner pushes you beyond healthy exertion or enjoys dominating you in competition, it’s probably time to find a partner at a more similar fitness level.