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In this day and age, exercise and general health have become not only a trend but a necessity. Townships and cities have multiple gyms and clubs equipped to extend its peoples’ quality of life. It’s even hard to go to a hotel that doesn’t offer at least a treadmill and basic cable functional trainer.

All things considered, with so much emphasis on exercise, it is wise to exhaust all avenues to be sure that you are getting the most out of your hard earned sweat in the gym – not to mention in the shortest and most efficient manner possible.

One great addition to your training experience could be a great training partner (emphasis on ‘great’). A training partner that works well with you not only will accelerate your gains, but offer many other forms of healthy motivation to ensure a trail of progress in your sessions. But, be mindful of who you let share your gym time with you. The wrong individual will ruin your flow and rhythm, spin focus from yourself to them, and bleed you of your workout intensity.

Before you make the leap to bring a partner into your, “me time,” consider a few of the following points. Your gym time is too valuable to let just any old person into your lift. Therefore, it is imperative a partner have qualities that will bode well with your training style and goals.

Common Interest

Let’s be real here. If you are reading this article, you have already made the decision that you are serious about optimizing your body and training experience. Keeping that in mind, a wise move when choosing a partner MUST be selecting someone with a common interest or goal set. For instance, a bodybuilder and elite track athlete would not be a smart combo. Neither person would elevate the others training time simply because the training protocol would differ for each.

Do yourself a favor and choose a partner that is heading in a similar direction as you. If you are a science geek who likes to train each rep and set efficiently, has a high paced workout, is type A and has a reason for every move and every angle – find someone with the same approach.

Proper Spotting

A big reason for considering a partner is to have an extra helping hand. An addition of a spotter on each set will allow you to train with weights safely and beyond points of personal failure. Forced repetitions are a great tool to maximize hypertrophy and promote strength. However, there is such thing as a good and bad spotter. A spotter is not there to yell and scream, “you got it man. I’m not touching it.” How many times have we heard that before? A spotter is present solely to make sure that the working individual is comfortable and focused. That being said, a good spotter keeps the other in his or her comfortable pace and range of motion for the duration of the set. Also, an excellent spotter will add focus by providing instruction and tips during each set.

Next time you and your partner work out, try telling them to squeeze harder in a certain area or assist in a few forced repetitions. Focus and intensity in a controlled / safe environment is a recipe for maximal progress.

Motivation / Accountability

Some days just are not as easy as others. All of us are human, no matter how well we take care of our bodies. There are times when we don’t want to go to the gym or just don’t quite feel it during a session. This is a time where a good partner can really come into play. Having accountability to a partner waiting for you at the gym is going to get your butt out of the chair and get you moving. In addition, another person in your workout can motivate you to pick it up a notch. On days where you are just dragging, that other person may be in a groove. Nothing is more motivating than being around other motivated people.

Healthy Competition

Anyone who has participated in athletics knows that often times you play your best against the best competition. It’s funny how great people often bring out the best in yourself. The same statement holds evident for a good partner. Having another person who is just as good as you are, just as experienced, or in just as good of shape adds a little fuel to the fire. Everyone is a competitor. And, a little healthy competition can be translated into a good thing. The consistent goal to outperform your partner’s last set or technique is a good way to consistently get the most out of yourself.

On the path to a dream physique, it is necessary to get the most out of yourself each day. Now, this doesn’t mean being perfect. Just working efficiently and hard each training session. Perhaps the recipe to taking your training experience to the next level is finding a good partner. A partner will bring instruction, motivation, and competition to the workout out – provided you choose that partner wisely. Maybe the most valuable asset of a partner is a common interest or future friendship in the making.

Remember ladies and gentlemen, every major goal requires a good team. You can’t do everything on your own. Strength in numbers!