Working out with friends - yes / no?

thehexenbiest

Hey all,

This isn't a general advice question, I'm just wondering if it's just me.

I used to go to a gym on my own for a while and then stopped. Because I suck at kicking myself in the butt and dragging me there even when I don't wanna. Gotta be honest here, right?

So anyway. Now two of my friends joined that gym and after thinking about it for a while, I reactivated my membership. The idea was to motivate each other. And so far, in terms of going "Hey, how's your workout plan working for you?" or "Did you do your 3 days at the gym this week?" it's great and I've actually managed to stick to my plan, no excuses.

This week we finally managed to go together and I find that that actually slows me down rather than helping me. Sure, as a super self-conscious female, it's nice to have a friend around when changing in the locker room, not having to ask strangers for help with stuff, etc. But exercising, especially cardio, is so much easier for me when it's just me and my playlist.

Does anyone else feel like this or are you big fans of the gym buddy deal? Do you have regular gym dates with someone? Do you maybe know the people at your gym by now and just team up with whoever's there that day? I'm just curious.

jemhh

I am not a gym buddy kind of person. I don't mind other people around if I can do my own thing and they do theirs, but I feel slowed down or out of focus if I have to do much interacting. I mostly workout at home but when I do go to the gym, I say hi to the person who swipes me in and then pretty much do not talk the entire time I am there. I mean, if somebody says hi or asks the time or something like that I respond but I am not a chatty person. I would say that it is because gym time is me time but the truth is I am not really social like that in general.

ashcky

I go to the gym alone, I prefer it. When I run outside I like to do that alone as well. It is my me time away from my kids, I cherish it. Lol

Red_Pill

If whoever I'm training with is just as much of a bad *kitten* as myself then I don't mind it. It's actually handy sometimes because you don't have to change the weights after each set and also you can train to failure on the big lifts. I enjoy some me time too. I like zoning out and just walking around hitting the weights in my own world with no one to exchange pleasantries with.

cwolfman13

Lifting I prefer to be on my own because I can get in and do my thing and get out...having a lifting partner is just a distraction for me and everything takes longer because we're moving plates around and taking turns, etc

Cycling I often train alone, but I also like doing group rides with other cyclists

thenananator

Definitely alone.

besaro

solo. in/out. headphones on. All business. I will smile occasionally if I accidentally make eye contact, I'm not a complete b!tch.

Pathman1

I used to workout with a buddy when I was in grad school, but I ended up working out less when he wasn't there (basically I used the excuse of his absence to skip). I now workout alone in my basement, other than when my kids are down there with me, and I find a get a better workout and am far more consistent by myself.

dbanks80

I prefer to workout by myself with my music. I've never liked working out with people because it slows me down with all the talking and taking turns. Plus this is my (me) time to meditate, relax and enjoy my workout.

2_FitNFab

ashcky wrote: »

I go to the gym alone, I prefer it. When I run outside I like to do that alone as well. It is my me time away from my kids, I cherish it. Lol

^^^^ This I totally agree! Me time away from everything but my own thoughts and playlist!

sammyliftsandeats

I guess it would depend on who it was and whether or not you guys have similar goals. I sometimes go with my boyfriend and yes, switching out plates and stuff can get annoying, but we are both lifting so it works because then I have a spotter. But if he wanted to sit on the mats and just chat while doing 'ab work' then maybe not.

I have gone a few times in the past with friends who used it as social hour without doing any real exercising and that was annoying.

canadianlbs

my routine has two formats to it. one is me at the rec centre in a lovely introvert daze, where i do my lifts and think my thoughts and interact only if i feel like it.

the other is me at my barbell club once a week. i love that club. everyone does their own programme, and mr t shifts things around to give everybody a station or a little space of their own to work in. it's pretty fun when the schedules sync up and you get all four of us deadlifting in formation like some silly synchronized-swimming display.

it costs about the same as getting together with friends once a week for a (cheap) burger and beer, so i'm not sure what that says about me and my social proclivities

i'll say something about the solo lifting though: although i do the lifting alone i belong to a subgroup here on mfp where i can always check in and report my workout, and that's a lot like having a 'buddy' in the positive sense that the op mentioned. i think i'd be sadder and maybe not as consistent if i didn't have a little population of people who know i lift, who lift too, and who are interested whenever i want to yak about it.

KDar1988

I'm a loner. Just me and my music. Group classes having a friend to go with is ok.

juliewatkin

I always train with my husband. However, it's not really like working out with a friend. We both compete and I structure all of our templates and cycles. We've been doing it for over 7 years so it's a normal thing for us. It's really just what you're used to.

Willbenchforcupcakes

I'm mostly solo but it's fun when teammates are in training at the same time.

LiftandSkate

I like to fly solo. I hate people talking to me when I'm working out. I will smile and wave if I cross paths with someone I know, but like to keep the music cranked and keep moving.

thehexenbiest

Thanks for the replies so far. It makes me feel better to know others feel the same way and I'm not just antisocial.

canadianlbs

nothing wrong with being anti-social. so long as you're nice about it

quiksylver296

I go to the gym with my husband, but we do our complete separate workouts while there. It is nice to grab him for a spot if I need one.

singletrackmtbr

Not anymore. In my 20s I always had a workout partner. Eventually they would quit and I wouldn't be too far behind. Then I'd find a new partner, wash, rinse and repeat. I think it's OK to have a partner as a long as you still take charge of your own workout and don't rely on the other person to keep you motivated.

I'm in my longest stretch of exercise without quitting, going on 4 years now. Coincidentally I haven't worked with anyone else during that time.

ItzLahLah2u

I recently started working out with a partner after a long time time alone. I noticed we stay a lot longer on cardio because we challenge each other and it's fun. The only downside is she's extremely chatty even while doing weights. I'm sonout of breath I can't talk and lift lol. But I still go if she doesn't want to, because it's still about my goals to me regardless.

alyangel123

If im doing cardio i like to push myself hard, and its the only time i can watch 'my' shows alone. (lots of kids) I would probably be dissapointed if somebody wanted to go with me and irritated if they wanted to talk since id have to slow down to do it. Weights i wouldn't care so much

arditarose

I don't have a workout partner, but I have gym friends. We are all serious about training, and if it's Friday night at 8:00pm I'm so glad they're all there. Just keeps me motivated and a little less lonely. We mostly shoot the *kitten* and talking about programming between sets, as well as offering a spot and encouraging PRs

lorrpb

I recently started meeting a friend 1-2x week. We do 1/2 hr bike and about 1/2 hr on pool. We listen to our own playlists and move at our own pace. It's helps both of us.

Sued0nim

I much prefer alone

AnvilHead

I've lifted in the gym with friends and I've done it alone. I prefer alone. I'm not much for socializing in the gym beyond a quick hi or "how's it going?". I go in, get my workout done and get out.

I don't mind bicycling, running, kayaking, etc. with friends as long as we're somewhat close to the same fitness level and have the same goals in mind. If not, you either end up waiting for them or they end up waiting for you, or you both do your own thing - which is pretty much the same as if you'd done it alone in the first place.

Machka9

My husband and I go to the gym together but we each do our own thing. When we went to a gym with a pool, he swam laps while I took a spinning class. Then we might walk/run on the treadmills beside each other, and at some point I would go and row while he did a short spin bike workout.

At the gym we go to now, we walk/run on the treadmill and row, but I generally prefer to row longer than he does.

For us, that's the nice thing about a gym ... we can work out together but not together.

We also cycle and walk/hike and canoe together.

DancingMoosie

I do both. I like to lift by myself as well as with a friend, same with a treadmill circuit. We can do side by side treadmills and go at our own pace. Running I like to do alone.

kshama2001

I like walking buddies but not gym buddies.

jessef593

It's the exact same. It's nice to have a budy there as a spot or if you haven't chatted in awhile. But when it comes to really bringing the intensity, I do much better on my own. Zero distractions, except when other gym rats want to come up and talk.

sgt1372

I always work out alone at home and did the same when I use to belong to a gym.

Working out w/friends or acquaintances is a distraction and a waste of time. Have too often seen people just chatting and not working out at the gym. If you want to socialize, meet your friends for lunch or whatever outside of the gym but, when you're at the gym, focus and get down to business. Otherwise, why are you there?