Working out with a partner has many advantages but can often turn into a miserable experience unless you choose the right person. Whether you choose to workout with your co-worker, boyfriend, husband, girlfriend, sister, or mother, your partner should complement you in different ways, have similar goals, and be a source of energy and motivation. Here are the top qualities to look for in a workokut partner.
A Goal Oriented Partner: has fitness goals they want to accomplish. They want to run a 5k, bench press more, look better naked, have more energy and confidence so they can take over a fortune 500, etc. This type of person is committed to showing up and working hard. Someone who has no real goals or direction will continously stand you up, complain about how long it's taking and how hard it is, or worst convince you to go do something else like hang out at krispy kreme. A goal oriented partner will have off days and get busy too but should be there and be ready to work 90% of the time.
A Fit Partner: who's fitness level is similar or a little bit better than yours is a much better option than someone who has little experience with exercise. Working out with someone who is fit means you don't have to spend a lot of time explaining how to perform certain exercises correctly because even if that person has never tried something that you do regularly, they will catch on quickly. A fit partner probably knows as much as you do or more so you can both teach each other new exercises and techniques that will help you reach your fitness goals faster. A fit partner can also push you harder or help you push yourself harder when you want to lift heavier, run faster, be more flexible, etc. Being fit also goes hand in hand with being healthy so you hardly ever have to deal with someone who skips out on you or quits because they're not feeling well.
A Positive and Happy Partner: is exited to try new things, is always up for a challenge, and hardly complains when something is tough or when life gets stressful. This person enjoys exercise and views it as a great form of stress relief. They may discuss problems or life issues but don't dwell on it the entire duration of the workout. A positive partner is also someone who can be happy for you when you make improvements and they are still stuck on the same plateau. This type of partner feeds off your accomplishments to push themselves harder and always has a can do attitude. They don't quit in the middle of a set or stop running before it's time to stop. A positive partner motivates you and feels motivated by you to go further each time and stick to the program even when results are not yet visible for either party.
A Flexible Partner: is willing to try new things, is willing to work with you on different days than you agreed, and still shows up and does their own thing if you're not able to show up. A flexible partner realizes that you may not feel like doing what they want to do that day and they are willing to switch their workout to what you want to do or just do their own thing in the same area that you will be working so that if either person needs help the other person is close by. This type of person also knows when to back off, when it's time to try something new, and may have other workouts partners so you are not their only source of motivation.
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