8 Best Partner Exercises: How to Make Big Gains Together

Working out on your own can be boring. Training with a partner is a lot more fun and provides many other benefits. Read on if you want to learn why you should go to the gym with your best friend.

You should train with a partner because:

1. A training partner gets your butt into gear

Don’t feel like working out? Then find a motivated training partner who can spur you on. Researchers at Indiana University have found that couples who don’t train together have a higher breakup rate (43%) than those who exercise together (6.3%). This alone should be reason enough to take your significant other with you to the gym the next time you go.

2. A training partner motivates you

The support of friends and family is the best motivation to get you off the couch and into your gym shoes. A study by Stanford University investigated this and found that just one telephone call from a friend every two weeks asking about your progress increases training frequency by 78%.

A virtual training partner can also help: encouragement from an online friend can increase your workout performance by 24%. You work harder and really push yourself.

3. A training partner gets you to give more

Have you ever heard of the Köhler effect? This is where people try harder in a group than they would on their own. If you train with a partner who is in better shape than you are, you will try to match their performance and thus get fitter and stronger.

In one study, participants were asked to hold a plank. Those participants with a partner were able to hold the plank almost twice as long as those without. In addition, women who work out with their friends lose 236 calories per session. Those who exercise alone only lose about 195 calories. The average solo gym session lasts about 36 minutes, whereas with friends, people work out 6 minutes longer. A small difference that can have a big impact!

Did we convince you to take your friend to the gym? Here are the eight best partner exercises you should definitely try:

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your significant other or your best friend and hit the gym together!

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