Exercising alone vs with a companion

mrshoneydew

When people ask me about what I do for exercise and I tell them that I go on very long walks as well as go to the gym, on many occasions the response I get is "Hey cool! We should walk together" or "Let's go to the gym together sometime!".
Of course I don't tell them this, but for me...exercising is very therapeutic and I like to be alone and listen to my music and just think or zone out even. I also like to go my own pace.
I most certainly understand why people would want a exercise companion to keep themselves motivated, but I'm just a lone wolf in that department I guess.

Anyone else feel this way?

YolieCreator

I like it both ways. Love working out with my bestie, but I'm able to go faster when I'm alone. I only work out in the gym. I don't know if I would ever work out with someone I wasn't really close with...... Probably be awkward

vixtris

I dont exercise with anyone, but if I did it would only be with my husband, or if I had another best friend that was determined to get in shape as well. But I personally prefer going alone, so I dont have to keep up or slow down for another person.

Brownsbacker4evr

I like playing basketball, baseball, and football with my friends. But anytime i've relied on them to come to the gym with me they have never followed through. If I waited to go on their schedule i'd probably be over 400 pounds by now. Also having unreliable friends makes it a little harder in the fact you have no one to help check your form on new exercises. You can do it alone, but it is a lot tougher without a second set of eyes.

Going it alone is always better so long as you have headphones.

michellemybelll

completely agree with the OP. i like to go it alone. no one to hold me back, no feelings of self-consciousness for whatever reason (my own weird anxiety issues), i get to sort of fall into an active meditation zone... and just be with myself for awhile. i do not like having a companion, and haven't had one for years. aside from occasionally running with a family member here and there.

e_is_for_erin

I definitely like having someone with me to work out with! If I'm at the gym with someone, I usually stay longer and do more exercises like the weight machines, but if I'm alone, I'll usually just power through some cardio on the elliptical or the treadmill. I have a treadmill at home and of course I'm doing it alone, so it's nice to exercise with a friend every once and a while!

stephenszymanski

I workout with my friends. I can push myself so much harder when lifting with a partner there to make sure you don't kill yourself.

On the other hand, I run alone. I love running alone. I've tried doing it with others, but I just like doing it alone better. Can go at my own pace, listen to music, and space out.

tlorance100

I tend to work harder when I am by myself. I want to concentrate on what I'm doing, not hold a conversation.

LindseyMariePJ

I definitely like exercising alone. I was working out with my best friend for a while but it's hard to focus with someone chirping and blabbering in my ear. I could barely catch my breath, much less try and keep a conversation, lol.

Gwen_B

I prefer to exercise alone, but I don't mind running with someone who can push me to run faster.

Mlkmaid

I can totally relate. I find having someone along with me distracting and I like to listen to books when I run. If my son goes along it messes up my pace too because he's a foot taller than me. In the gym, I find myself socializing more than working out if I go with someone PLUS I've had those work-out partners in the past that always manage to talk me into leaving early, not doing enough reps, skipping it altogether, stopping for snacks after, etc., etc.

AmyMgetsfit

I have a home gym because I like to be alone to work out and go at my own pace and not feel rushed because the next person needs the treadmill. My husband leaves me be by myself, he knows I like to be alone and quiet when I am exercising. Now when I do my walking and bike riding outside instead of on the machines, then my husband comes with me. I enjoy his company then, plus he can push me a little harder than if I was by myself. He is the only one I would go with though.

toutmonpossible

I walk alone. More seriously, to work out with someone else regularly requires organization, the same schedule, similar goals, similar levels of fitness, similar attitudes on challenging oneself. Dealing with the one person I can't avoid is more than enough.

amyylee_

I definitely feel you on this one. I prefer to exercise alone, whether it's at the gym, outdoors, or whatever.

kuntry_navy

it's good to have a spotter. but, i definitely prefer alone. i have more intensity, lest breaks and dont bullsh*t as much

zdaz

It's actually hard for me. I was an allstate athlete and then quite exercising altogether for five years. I didnt gain much weight but definitely lost muscle. It's hard for me alone. I'm used to a team work out, chatting with people...going to the gym and putting headphones in is weird.

MicheleWE

I've done both but prefer to exercise alone. To often when I start with a buddy they fall to the wayside and I lose motivation too. If I am doing it alone, then I am motivating myself because it is all for me. I started weight lifting and then my hubby joined me, but he really slowed me down. I was nice about it because I didn't want to discourage him, but I really liked lifting by myself and found I worked harder when I was alone. Eventually he dropped it altogether, to bad, but he just needs to find his own motivation. Occasionally I enjoy walking with another person, it's a nice change up.

TheEffort

I usually workout alone, early in the morning to start my day; helps me prepare physically and mentally for what lies ahead.

ItsCasey

Honestly, I much prefer working out alone unless I'm with someone who does the same kind of workout I do and is equally serious about it. Training is not a social thing for me, nor do I want it to be. It is work, almost like a part-time job, and that's how I prefer to think of it. That's not to say I don't enjoy it. I definitely do. But I don't think I'd be as productive if I treated it like a time to spend socializing with people.

lcchrt

I like to have a buddy when warming up to a new gym/ workout but then I wish to be left alone. Blast the music and ignore everyone around me

ohmscheeks

When I "work out" with a partner, it's always less intense because now it's a social thing. Without other people around, I can focus on the exercise. So, yeah... I prefer to go at it alone

deannakittygirl

for the most part I prefer to workout alone. I do have one friend that I meet at the pool about once each month and I enjoy that. I do a lot of power walking and jogging now that weather is nice. I don't want to feel like I'm holding anyone back since I'm a slower jogger (I'm short so shorter stride), not that anyone really wants to go jogging. I guess I feel its just easier to not rely on someone else. I'm doing this for my benefit and on my own schedule. we need to be our own motivator or it may not stick.

dandandee

I like both.. it all depends on the friend too though. I don't want someone joining me who will treat the workout like a coffee date.

Working out with the right friend gives me extra motivation and the opportunity to try new exercises, however exercising alone gives me time to just get in the zone and meditate kind of.

RobynMWilson

I've always worked out alone at home, besides everyone on my workout videos lol, so I guess I'm the same way. I will participate in group exercise, but when I'm exercising, I'm EXERCISING so walking while chatting with someone, to me, is far below my usual workout! I don't feel self conscious in a class, but one on one I kinda do. I think it goes back to being obese in gym class as a kid and being so out of shape I didn't perform half as well as my class mates...

ashesfromfire

I'm with you. I prefer a solo workout. However, I have a friend that really needs my encouragement to go to the gym and wants me to text her whenever I'm going and she comes and meets me. I'm willing to be that support to her because she needs/wants it, but that being said....I don't tell her every single time I go

traceylynns

Both I like taking classes and lifting with friends. but if I am going to run or something I like to just put on my tunes and go!!

jorge_007

I rather run alone because I'm free to run at my pace and not have to rubber-band (slow down for the most part.) And the fact that most people don't like running at all, especially running everyday.

ggxx100

I definitely agree. Working out is often my stress relief, as well as a safe place for me to zone out.

But it definitely varies depending upon the type of exercise. In terms of cardio, or more specifically kickboxing (only form of cardio I ever do haha), I always like to be alone. Someone watching me attack a punching bag would be pointless.

However, with weights, I've found it's an extra boost to have a companion. It's also logistically hard some days to work out without a buddy. Although I've had to resort to random kind souls spotting me in the gym, I'd rather it be my boyfriend or trainer and not some burly man sweating on me while I do my last reps. :grumble:

jenstanley13

I usually workout alone, early in the morning to start my day; helps me prepare physically and mentally for what lies ahead.

^^^this is me...i workout alone to get my day started and mind focused....plus this is my "me" time where i dont have to think of anyone but me and my goals.

Shan790

I prefer alone. I some times go with my best friend but usually for a yoga class.

mrshoneydew

I walk alone. More seriously, to work out with someone else regularly requires organization, the same schedule, similar goals, similar levels of fitness, similar attitudes on challenging oneself. Dealing with the one person I can't avoid is more than enough.

Definitely this.

The exception would be my husband. He needs help getting back in shape and I would like to take him to the gym with me to help him because my gym lets me bring a partner for free. He walks with a cane and has bum knees so he would probably do his own thing at the pace he was comfortable with and I would do mine.

I tried the work out buddy thing once but I felt awkward and one of us was always waiting for the other one to be done and it eventually fell apart because our schedules were not cohesive. And when it comes to taking walks, I walk no slower than 4.0 mph and I walk for miles and very few people seem as enthused about it as I am.
I also love my music because it helps me with pace. I listen to a lot of electronic music with various tempos to help me speed up and slow down.