Exercising ALONE

mrspeavs

(someone mentioned the 30 Day Shred video - LOVE the 30 DS!!!)

As to the topic, I think it depends on the activity. I really enjoy workout classes (kettle bells, yoga, etc) because I like the accountability - if I don't go, someone is asking me why. But for things like a DVD at home? Well, I'd rather do that alone. It's kind of my time to psych myself up. I don't want to have to encourage someone else to keep going or really THINK - I just want to get my sweat on!

20danielle12

I want to be alone too! But for me, it's my brief escape time, so, if it's the case for you, then fair enough!! No sharing!

DreamStriveBe

Pretty much the same. I'm kind of an introvert and would rather be left alone a lot of the time, especially when I'm working out.

puckfan

yep, i hate working out in front of other people. always have!

76tech

Lifting I like to do alone. Love to run with other people. Rarely do I get to, but it's fun when I can.

soccermom004

I get up at 5am and really do not want company. My husband too has commented that he might start getting up with me and I was not overjoyed. Luckily for me he is not a morning person!!

TNGURL

I always workout alone.... prefer it actually. When I run, it's not a social event... I don't want somebody "talking" & distracting me. As far as when I'm doing my P90X programs, I don't want any company for that either really. It's a time for me to FOCUS on breathing through the moves, good form & learning my body. I suppose if it were something like Zumba.. yeah I could see myself in a group having fun, some laughing & small talk would not be a problem.

lolaburga

I also prefer to excercise alone...I do not like it when anyone that I know is there. I feel very uncoordinated and feel like I can't push myself. So, when I go to the gym or work out I go by myself!!!

JustLena75

I like exercising alone also. Talking just gets in the way. That last time I exercised with anyone, it was with a friend of mine who claims she had been working out quite a bit, so I thought it might be fun. We have a nice trail that winds through a good part of town, and it's good for walking, running, biking, skating, etc. At that time I was REALLY into my running...well then when we get there she tells me all about how bad her knees are and she was a gymnast for many years in her youth. And she hadn't been working out as much as she told me...I spent the whole time running ahead and then running back to her and even running circles around her just to keep moving!! I'm not downing her, I'm not a super athlete. It just ended up not being a good session for me because I felt like I couldn't 'really' run like I'd been accustomed to doing at that time.

Marig0ld

My opinion is that if you can have a conversation while you are exercising then you are not doing it right

THIS! Some things are fun to do with others, but for the most part my exercise is MY time. If I want to socialize I go out for dinner or drinks!

ljholmann

It depends upon the exercise for me. If I am doing a circuit training DVD, I would prefer to be alone. If I am walking, I would prefer to have someone with me, I tend to get bored. I'm not up to running yet, so maybe that will change.

kenyonsmom10

I find that when I work out with my husband we both become very moody for whatever reason. totally defeats the purpose of working out for us. we do our own workouts at seperate times of the day or we both work out at the same time in different spaces at home. I prefer it that way and he does too! We also jog on our own time. he is about 1 minute faster on a mile run than me, so if we run together I tend to push myself too hard and get uncomfortable or he slows down too much and doesnt accomplish his running goals.

KLo924

I always exercise alone, and prefer it. If I was with someone else I would be thinking about if I was holding them up, or going to fast for them (I run a lot now). Plus they may try to (gasp!) talk to me and I'm not a talker when I'm running.

Although the voices in my head always have a heated debate over how far we will be going....

I'm the same. Also, lol about the voices

I do, however, enjoy jogging in races and sometimes being at the gym - but there I'm energized by lots of people with similar goals, without having to feel responsible for keeping someone else's pace, talking, etc.

Abells

I hate running with people -- I just like to keep to myself and not talk and just rock out to my music -- my bf has asked several times to run with me but I turn him down -- that's ME time

QueenMother14

I totally prefer exercising alone! That is why MFP is perfect for me. I can exercise alone but then come here for support, ideas, and discussion about getting healthy.

gracielee1

I think it's great that your boyfriend wants to exercise with you. I don't think a lot of couples can say the same. You can have shared fitness goals which can strengthen your relationship (and it looks like you both already have something great going for you). I understand how you feel about running alone, though. For most people, running alone is much needed solitary time and where you get to focus on just yourself for once. On the flip side, I know people who find their running to be more enjoyable when partnered or in a group because it gives them more energy and motivation. Maybe if you give it another try to run with your boyfriend, on a nicer day, you might feel differently... Let your boyfriend know you appreciate him for wanting to exercise with you and to be healthy together. Give it another shot. If you still feel like you are at your absolute best when running alone, let him know that you want to go this alone, and look for another fitness activity that you can both share and enjoy together.

stayxtrue

I always do my weights alone with out fail!!!

I run with other people however I always leave them behind haha and sit at the finish line for a good 5+ minutes waiting for them... I dont like running anywhere else though with other people as they slow me down... So a common running track is okay.

chachita7

For me working out is something I do for me, myself, and I... I have my own pace, I push harder when I am alone. Alone I can get into my own head, focus completely of whatever exercise I am doing - simply just easier.

Kissybiz

I like working out alone, except with my trainer. He pushes me, but that's still just focused on me. But I once had a trainer who added someone else to our 5 AM workouts and we had to switch off machines, etc... I tried being a team player for about a week, and then I never went back. Hated having to follow someone else's sweat.. yuck!

And once a neighbor asked if she could start joining me on my walks, because I walked the bayou trail almost every day. I politely said no, I prefer walking alone. Her jaw dropped... I felt bad.. but it's my walk!

SConlon1978

Like working out on my own, my own timetable, can do whatever I feel I need at the time and can push or slow down without someone looking over me.

UpEarly

Yes! I am a solo exerciser all the way. The reasons are many.

In group fitness classes, I feel like I'm always sort of focused on how stupid I look, rather than getting a good workout. I look at myself in the mirror and think 'jacka$$'! At home, I don't have a mirror and can flail around and dance as badly as I like.

When I go out hiking/walking, I enjoy the solo time. I want to listen to my music or my audiobook and enjoy the scenery and solitude. Besides, most people - even my dog - have a hard time keeping up with my pace.

When I lift, I really need to focus. I am so easily distracted, and having other people around just takes me out of the moment. I get a much better workout in my basement than I ever did when I was a gym member.

I like to wear ugly, tattered mismatched workout clothes. Also, I sweat like a FREAK. These are not things I want to share with others. :-)

SpaceMarkus

I just completed the Soul Mate Workout portion of the book PUSH. It said I prefer to workout alone, so yeah lol. I find running is my best friend. It's alone, outdoors, I can blast music, and it makes me feel young

grapenutSF

Depends on the context. I adore the social aspect of my salsa fitness class, feel gregarious there, and totally soak that up. But when I lift, I get very grumpy whenever others start chit chatting. I try not to act rude, but I would much prefer to be left alone to get completely absorbed in my music and workout. Running? Def alone.

DEBAUD

I love working out by myself. My work has a gym that I've used daily for years. I use to be the only one in the gym but for the past year randoms come and go and it REALLY irritates me having them invade my gym space(lol it's not my gym but in my head I think it is). So I totally feel ya girl.

KimmyEB

I prefer to exercise alone, usually. There are certain things, like speedwalking and hiking, that I like to do with others. And I'd like to join a yoga class sometime, mostly to make sure I get the form right, and I can go jogging with my boyfriend, but I feel like I'm holding him up. He ran cross-country in high school, and has continued to jog ever since, so he's faster and has way more endurance than me. So when he stops for me, or goes slower to match my pace, I feel like he isn't getting as good a workout as he could, but he genuinely doesn't mind, so it's nice to have him as a "coach" to push me. And I do like to go bike riding with him, since that IS something we are equals at. But otherwise, I prefer to jog alone, use my Zumba DVD alone, stationary bike alone, weight-lifting alone, 30DS alone, etc. I find that people either want to talk too much (are you really working out if you can TALK the entire time? :noway: ) or they're too fast/too slow for me. I really need an iPod so I can have some music with me for jogging. >.<

jsteffen80

I like weight training alone. I don't want anyone getting in my way or messing up my rhythm. I use headphones, turn them up loud, and disregard everyone else. I'm similar with indoor cardio. I don't want to talk to you, and if you're talking to me, you're not working hard enough.

The only exception I have to this is walking or running outside with my wife. She is great company!

KickassAugust

Started working out with my husband... but he wont put in an entire hour so he leaves in the middle of my workout. (That gentlemen is rude.)

However, it has made me resilient, and now I prefer to burn alone.

MercenaryNoetic26

YES. I'm a loner and I like to do what I gotta do without interruptionand get done. I don't want to work out with someone unless they already know what they're doing. So if my man wanted to go workout together in the weight room, I'd go, but chances are we will do different stuff most of the time and when we work in together it still goes quick. I've tried working out with friends but it's always a disaster. They'll basically ask me to show them how to do weights and when I tell them the basics, it's immediate complaints or arguments. One friend I tried to have her do delt raises, military press and shruggs. She immediately balked at the thought of having such "manly, big, bulky shoulders". Or she argued that some guy told her she shouldn't do them or that would happen. I've only successfully "trained" two friends. They have to have the right mentality. Otherwise, it's a WASTE OF TIME!!! If your friend is on the SAME level, then it could make for good company. Unfortunately, I'm the only girl I know who knows what she's doing. So LONER it is!

rml_16

I do Zumba with friends on Monday nights and run with friends Thursday nights and Sunday morning. The rest of my exercise is alone time. It's how I meditate, basically. I do a lot of thinking and I can go at my own pace when I'm alone.

I don't dislike exercising with others, but I do like to do it alone sometimes, too.

Articeluvsmemphis

I don't mind exercising with someone who is serious, like my brother or friend, or a group fitness class, but just in general, I like to be left alone.