What exactly does a workout partner do anyhow? Your opinion please...

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  Oct 16, 2007 7:35 PM GMT

  OK, so I've been going to the gym for around three hours a day for 4 to 6 days a week. I do a little bit of everything, swimming, machines, walking and biking for now....hey after all, I'm a beginner! lol. I do my routines regardless of what mood I'm in but frankly I always feel lonely and alone. I used to have a straight male aquaintance take us to the gym for a few months, but he crashed my Jeep and I kicked him out because of it and it took me months to get it back. And now I'm back at the gym, fortunately. But anyhow, at the time, all he ever even did was drive us to and from there. Beyond that, he NEVER helped me out teaching me the basics or anything else for that matter. Fortunately, I have some great staff members that are happy to do that and I'm doing OK, but like I mentioned, I'm getting kinda lonely.
  
  So I'd like to know: in your opinion, what does your workout partner do? Does he (or...eek!...she) train with you and share the equipment or do you guys tend to move on to different things? Do you even have a workout partner?

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• MSUBioNerd
  
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  Oct 16, 2007 9:05 PM GMT

  I don't have a workout partner. It might be nice to have someone to spot me if I'm trying to push my limits with free weights, but the downside is having to be at the gym at specific times, when I prefer the flexibility of showing up whenever works for my schedule that day. Some people do find it easier to force themselves to go even fi they don't want to if someone else will be let down by them not showing up, though.

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  Oct 16, 2007 10:11 PM GMT

  It's someone who wears a condom when he works out with you (I think).

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  Oct 16, 2007 10:23 PM GMT

  I have had several workout partners over the years.
  
  My partners have always helped me with INPO:
  
  Encouragement
  Pushed me further than my tired 'comfort zone'
  My Form
  Spotting me
  Conversation
  Companionship
  Keeping a scheduled appointment
  A bit of friendly competition at times
  
  Yes, we have always tended to train together either on the same weights/machines or on adjacent stations... or swimming, running, cycling together etc.
  
  Benefits: 3/4 workout, 1/4 social/friendship

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• Timbales
  
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  Oct 16, 2007 10:53 PM GMT

  My bf and I lift together sometimes. It can be fun, but sometimes I just want to listen to my nano.

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  Oct 16, 2007 11:13 PM GMT

  It really depends on how you workout and finding someone who works out similarly. Myself, I tune out everything, since the iPod helps doing that, and just concentrate on what I'm doing. Occasionally, I'll need a spot, but that'd be it.
  
  I think a workout partner would be part support, part competitor, and part comrade.

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  Oct 16, 2007 11:18 PM GMT

  Depends on certain workouts like chest and back it's nice to have help for those last reps, to ensure you really push yourself.
  
  But it's nice to be by yourself sometimes and listen to the music and get away from the world.

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  Oct 16, 2007 11:24 PM GMT

  My workout partner is also a very close friend. He's also extremely knowledgable about matching workouts to goals.
  
  He watches me, corrects bad form, doesn't let me get lazy. He's an excellent spotter...meaning, he knows how to gently provide balance (say for the bench press) without aiding me as a first step when I am having problems, and knows instinctively when I need help.
  
  He's trained me by example to be a good spotter and workout companion to him.
  
  Our friendship started in the gym, and extended out into the world from that. I cherish the time we spend there...which is not spent chatting or "being friends" except during rest intervals.
  
  I do understand that just having a casual workout partner can be a pain in the ass. But having a workout partner who actually serves as a trainer, expediter and motivator is wonderful. And, I can at least do the latter two in return.
  
  The other thing about both of us is that we are utterly dependable, and not dramatic. So, when we set a date and time, we are there. No bull shit...no, oh I'm too tired.
  
  It's so valuable to me, that I would workout at times inconvenient or less desirable, if that's what he is able to do because of his work situation.
  
  It's all good for me.
  
  John

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• GQjock
  
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  Oct 16, 2007 11:32 PM GMT

  Keeps me from finishing my workout on time....

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  Oct 16, 2007 11:41 PM GMT

  Oh and I like to workout with other people, always seem to pick up something new. Variety is the spice of life.

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  Oct 17, 2007 2:09 AM GMT

  I tend to agree with most of ITJock's points listed above.
  
  My workout partner is great for me because he helps me practice my personal training techniques.
  
  The downside to a partner is that you can become dependant on them to make you go to the gym. You should wish to be going regardless of someone elses motivation.

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  Oct 17, 2007 3:22 AM GMT

  cronker said : "...The downside to a partner is that you can become dependant on them to make you go to the gym. You should wish to be going regardless of someone elses motivation..."
  
  I have seen others mention this. Perhaps it's because I come from a background as a competitive distance runner...which must involve a lot of self-motivation and self-discipline...but when my workout partner's work schedule changed for a year, and we couldn't work out together, I just continued on my own.
  
  I love working out...and neither find it boring nor do I need someone else to motivate me. On the other hand, I missed him a lot when he was gone, and when he came back, we fit like a glove on the workouts again.
  
  My daily runs became such an important part of my day that I got to think of them about the same as brushing my teeth...I just did them. This did carry over to the workouts at the gym.
  
  However, no question in my mind, the right workout partner is worth more than his weight in gold.
  
  John

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• dfrourke
  
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  Oct 17, 2007 4:04 AM GMT

  Keeps you focused and from cruising the other guys at the gym!
  
  - David

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  Oct 22, 2007 3:21 AM GMT

  I occasionally have workout partners. The good ones do the following:
  
  1. Spot you on free weights so that you can do reps until failure
  
  2. Observe your form and make comments if you ask them to (especially helpful for things like overhead dumbell presses)
  
  3. Provide friendly competition over time. They don't have to lift more weight than you, just encourage you to give 100%. It's nice to be self motivated, but for almost anyone, having another person watching provides subtle positive pressure to perform.
  
  4. There are a few exercises where a partner is required-- such as throwing you a weighted ball while you are doing inclined crunches.
  
  5. For aerobics, having a good conversation partner is a real benefit

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  Oct 22, 2007 3:35 AM GMT

  My workout partners lay on the mat, with their chins on their paws, and stare at me. They're trying to guilt me into going outside for a run, instead.
  There have been a few regrettable incidents.
  A couple of times the (16 lb) cat unexpectedly jumped onto my stomach in mid bench-press. It's a good thing that there are safety bars on my lifting cage.
  Last winter, I was riding the rollers while watching a movie. One of the dogs quietly sneaked up behind me and let out a huge WOOF! I instantly crashed, but managed to twist myself into a soft collision with the nearby sofa, instead of ramming into the TV. There were a number of bruises, though.
  
  When I belonged to a gym in another town, the most incredibly hot guy that I ever saw in there, had a sort of dumpy workout partner. (I got busted staring at the hot guy a couple of times. Fortunately, he just flashed me a big grin.) It almost looked as if he was acting as a personal trainer for the dumpy guy. One morning they had a HUGE loud hissy-fit fight, (about the dumpy guy not showing up on time) and it became obvious that they were lovers. I never saw either of them again

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  Dec 08, 2007 2:29 AM GMT

  Before I moved to Texas my Boss would be my work out buddy/trainer. He would help me with the bar when I would add more weight and assist me with nutrition tips so I could gain more weight. In return, I would spot him when he was on the bench and give him some advice for running (he wasn't too good with it since he smoked).
  
  But that's what I think a work out buddy does, help you with your goals and in return you can do the same. Plus, just work out with one another.

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  Dec 08, 2007 2:33 AM GMT

  Has sex with you on the weight bench.
  
  Oh wait, that was a movie I rented.

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