Workout Buddy Tips: What To Look For In A Training Partner

While everyone is updating their Tinder profiles with what they are looking for in a Valentine, we’re here working out what key traits you need to be looking for in a workout buddy, because, let’s be honest, this is probably who you’ll spend the most time with right!? So here, we have our top 5 things you need to look for in your next training partner;

#1 Be A Member Of The Same Gym

Obvious right! Casual fees to any gym can be a little pricey, so If you are planning to be training regularly with your workout buddy, it pays to both be members of the same gym. Now this may not apply to everyone, for example if you are training for a marathon, the majority of your training will most likely be running. In this instance location of where you and your workout buddy live may be more important.

#2 Workout Schedules

One thing you must consider is going to be what your schedules are like. The obvious is making sure you both can commit to a time to train together, but more importantly, and sometimes often forgotten about, is what time of the day you train the best.

If one of you always feels optimal working out first thing in the morning while the other person can hardly drag themselves out of bed, sure you might be able to find a time to train together, but this time likely won’t be when you both are feeling best. One person will have to be in the gym at a time when they’d prefer not to be and this could create problems with them fully realising their goals.

#3 Have Similar Goals

Knowing what you are working towards is a key component, not only for your own training, but also for your training buddy. If you are training for an event, like a marathon, find someone who is training for the same event. If you have goals to increase your fitness, flexibility, lose weight or build strength the same applies, you want your training buddy to be in the same mindset, so you can both work towards your goals together. Having a common goal can be a great motivator, as you can add a competitive edge to your training, while supporting and motivating each other!

#4 Have A Similar Fitness Level

Fitness levels are another factor you need to think about. Having similar fitness levels can be more important depending on your goals. For example, if you are training for a marathon, it could be quite frustrating if your training buddy is slowing you down. When it comes to training in the gym, fitness levels can be a more flexible as you can adjust weights accordingly.

#5 Workout Intensity

Lastly, knowing what intensity you like to train at is important. You may think you are training at 100%, but you may soon realise your not when you train with someone else.

Training at the same or similar intensity, not only creates a smooth and efficient workout, it also enables you to know when you can push and motivate your training buddy during the session, and when you should hold back and let them do their thing.

• Bio

AIF

The Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia, with dynamic training methods and expert course coaches nationwide - spanning fitness, massage and nutrition. The AIF qualifies more fitness professionals than any other provider in Australia, as well as offering a broad range of continuing education courses (CEC), upskilling resources and partnership programs for existing industry.