which do you prefer..... exercising alone or with a partner?

ebsshassan
ebsshassan Posts: 17 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
hello fellow MFP...er's
hope everyone is doing great
i have a question for you all
ever since i got into fitness and fat-loss
I've been working out alone
whether at home or in the gym
but now i have found a guy nearly my age and lives close to me
when he asked about how i lost weight an stuff
he got excited and wants to exercise with me
i feel awkward and want to say no.....i think he will drag me down to his level??
what do you think???
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Replies

  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Partner! So many good reasons.

    I miss fewer days
    Enjoy the company
    Always have a spotter that you trust
    Have someone to push you higher
    Will vary the routine
    Will keep the workout on schedule because of the natural rhythm of switching places

    I've found that even when they are on a different level than me, it still works out great as long as they are focused and determined. My current partner is 100 lbs weaker than me on some exercises, but we're having some of the best workouts I've ever had.
  • moonlightturk
    moonlightturk Posts: 398
    Alone. I like doing my own thing, in my own time.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    i like the idea of working out with a partner since that's how we did it when i played rugby. but outside of training for a sport, i've never met anyone who would be OK with working out at that intensity.i've tried workout partners before and it always ends up being me working out alone anyway because they can't hang.


    you could always give the guy the benefit of the doubt and try a workout together. if it doesnt fit then it's easy to come up with excuses to not do it again
  • nixism
    nixism Posts: 258 Member
    I prefer working out alone. But my partner and I do walks together which is really nice.
  • WickedGarden
    WickedGarden Posts: 944 Member
    alone, doing P90X with one, and he is ALWAYS finding excuses to skip.

    This is my second round, but I'd be done by now if it weren't for him.
  • lmarshel
    lmarshel Posts: 674 Member
    I don't workout in the gym. I'm a runner and hiker and yogi, and aside from some weekend hikes with my hubby I'm usually all on my own. I like it that way, and I'm pretty good about pushing myself. However, while we were on vacation back in May, my hubby and I decided to take a run together. Both of us posted our best pace ever for that length run. So maybe there's something to be said for working with a partner.
  • fabfindz05
    fabfindz05 Posts: 92 Member
    If I'm running, especially when the mileage gets to be 8+ miles, I like to have a partner.
    I'm OK with doing DVDs by myself.
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    Alone. I hate working out and find it to be a thoroughly unenjoyable experience, so I don't want to go through that with anyone else. I was embarrassed when I just happened to pass two friends I know who also run going the opposite direction on the trail last Sunday.

    Also, I'd either be running with people slower than me and I'd be annoyed that they couldn't stay on my pace. Or with people way faster than me and I'd end up over-exerting myself trying to keep up because my competitive self wouldn't be able to let them just go ahead of me.

    I nearly killed myself pushing too hard and fast through my strength workout last Monday because two other people came into the fitness center at my apartment complex. It was a combo of wanting to get out of there as fast as possible and wanting to not look like a loser so pushing myself to do more than I should have.
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    Alone.

    I've turned down people who have asked me to workout with them and flat out told them that I really like my solo workouts. It is 'my' time and all of them thus far have been understanding.
  • aaronf289
    aaronf289 Posts: 50 Member
    Alone........ seem to BS more and work out less w/a buddy
  • ChrisGoldn
    ChrisGoldn Posts: 473 Member
    Partner! So many good reasons.

    I miss fewer days
    Enjoy the company
    Always have a spotter that you trust
    Have someone to push you higher
    Will vary the routine
    Will keep the workout on schedule because of the natural rhythm of switching places

    I've found that even when they are on a different level than me, it still works out great as long as they are focused and determined. My current partner is 100 lbs weaker than me on some exercises, but we're having some of the best workouts I've ever had.

    i'm with this...
  • 29bubbles
    29bubbles Posts: 126 Member
    Completely dedends on what your doing, imo. Running... yeah, I'd rather do that alone or with someone who will make me push harder.

    As long as you set the tone and keep it sweat focused, working out with a partner is super fun. However, if the tone becomes one of chatty McDoin Nothin...then, heck no.

    In some of my Group Fitness classes there are peeps who try to out jump/out rep each other...and it's all in good heart pounding fun which can make you push just a little harder then you would have if alone.

    If you make it about the workout...and chat later...then helping someone else and having that accountability can be a wonderful thing.
  • ebsshassan
    ebsshassan Posts: 17 Member
    Alone. I like doing my own thing, in my own time.
    i hear you sis !!!
  • ebsshassan
    ebsshassan Posts: 17 Member
    , my hubby and I decided to take a run together. Both of us posted our best pace ever for that length run.
    good for you guys !!! :))
  • caraiselite
    caraiselite Posts: 2,631 Member
    when i go for walks, i take my kids.
  • ebsshassan
    ebsshassan Posts: 17 Member
    Completely dedends on what your doing...

    i'm doing my second round of p90x ??
  • OneFitDude16
    OneFitDude16 Posts: 169
    definitely with a friend
  • Momma2Beauties405
    Momma2Beauties405 Posts: 32 Member
    I am more consistent when I have a "buddy" ... it makes it more fun AND having someone to hold you accountable!!!
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I like to workout alone.. but I also workout with a trainer once a week.

    I enjoy my time with my trainer but I enjoy my alone workout time even more!
  • Ohmydaze
    Ohmydaze Posts: 403 Member
    There was a girl who lived next door to me, who would walk the dog with me for over an hour EVERY day. Now she's in boarding school, and we only walk on Sundays after work. With her, I would walk in rain, snow, foul weather, bad moods. Now, I struggle to get out with him at all.

    So, partner. Keeps me motivated. Although, if I'm going to REALLY sweat, I'm happier on my own. I can't run with a friend, unless they will shut up and keep up. Doing weights or gym classes, I would prefer a buddy, though.
  • ickybella
    ickybella Posts: 1,438 Member
    He will only "drag you down" if you let him. My husband went running with me once and I just sprinted ahead and then back to him over and over. That being said, I definitely prefer to work out alone.
  • Iron_Feline
    Iron_Feline Posts: 10,750 Member
    BOTH!

    I like exercising to DVD's alone, but enjoy running with a friend - due to his work commitments he's now very behind me - but there are ways around that, I can run ahead and then run back to meet him etc. Plus knowing I'm meeting someone make me keep workout dates when I want to skive.

    I think you should try it - if it doesn't work them it doesn't work - but you might inspire them and they might make you work harder :happy:

    Try it, and then decide :happy:
  • CakeFit21
    CakeFit21 Posts: 2,521 Member
    LOVE LOVE LOVE my crossfit class. That said, I also LOVE running alone.
  • LinaBo
    LinaBo Posts: 342 Member
    I prefer to work out alone, that's just how I've always done it... with the exception of those times when I really wish I had a spotter. I find it difficult to find someone who is at this stage of the weight loss journey, female, and as serious about lifting as I am.

    If he's at a far different level than you, it might be tricky. I think that if you want to help him and are feeling generous, and he can't afford a personal trainer on a regular basis, maybe arrange to go to meet up at the gym some times and give him tips on how you got started/spot him when he REALLY needs it, but otherwise split up and you each do your own thing. Depending how much of a newb he is, just being pointed in the right direction and knowing he's got someone at the gym who's got his back if he is really stumped on something could be the confidence boost he needs. Just as long as figuring out his own routine doesn't cut too much into accomplishing your own.
  • Carfoodel
    Carfoodel Posts: 481 Member
    I like working on my own in the gym so don't like company, headphones on, music in the zone. when someone used to go to the gym with me, they wanted it as a social experience and it drove me a bit bonkers that thye wanted to chat all the time when I just wanted to blast through my latest PB.

    My eldest son (21 on Sunday) has just joined the gym and it's challenging as he has asperger's - so at the moment I am giving him a lot of help till he gets more confident.- I have found that I sometimes pop along to fit in extra (solo) sessions so that I can spend the time at a relaxed pace when he is there - he doesn't have the capability as yet to just go onto another machine if I am still working on one and he has finished one of his- so he sometimes just stands behind me until I finish.( which can be a bit unnerving if you forget to watch out for it :laugh: ) I am obviously patient and supportive of him but if it was anyone but my son I just couldn't do it lol. For example if the weights area is busy, he can't use it - so we have to switch to cardio and then do weights at home etc. bottom line is that I am immensly proud of the fact that although the whole gym thing is a mass of challenges for him - he still makes himself do it as he wants to get healthy and he is getting better and stronger all the time and if I can help him I will :)

    My youngest son also wants to join the gym but I am really reluctant as he is mega competitive with me and I know he would spend his whole time trying to best me - but I am pretty competitive too and I just know it would end up being a game rather than my happy zen time - bet I come across as a selfish ***** now hahaha
  • jesusHchris
    jesusHchris Posts: 1,405 Member
    Punching myself in the face, while sometimes satisfying, just isn't the same as doing it to a partner. Also, I am not flexible enough to deliver a kick to my head with any sort of force even approaching "deadly".

    My buddies never work out with me. They always ask me if they can and then end up sleeping through the day or passed out on the floor of a gross bar hag. My workout partners are always other dudes who train with my same coach or lifting with a trainer.

    Oh, I forgot about Blue. Blue will go hiking or running with me at any time. Bonus points if there are cats or other furry critters to motivate her.
  • Frelise
    Frelise Posts: 80 Member
    I think I prefer to work out by myself. That way I get to focus more on the machines I want to do and how long I want to spend there without worrying about what my friend is up to. :)
  • Sherylmarlee
    Sherylmarlee Posts: 224 Member
    Most definitely alone at the gym...need to do my thing and move on. But, prefer, need really a running partner for the trails. Isolated trails in the woods with hungry bears scare me! :)
  • direwolfprincess
    direwolfprincess Posts: 261 Member
    Alone. It is the only alone time I get and it is well used for my physical and mental health.
  • sefrank
    sefrank Posts: 26 Member
    I like to workout solo...That is my "me" time and time to de-stress. I do workout with a trainer once a week though cuz I know he will push me, especially with strength training. If you want to try it out go for it but don't feel like you have to. Also if it doesnt work out you don't have to continue.

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