Do you workout better with a partner?

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Replies

  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    Solo all the way when it comes to the gym, too distracting otherwise and too time consuming when you're having to constantly switch out weights on a bar.

    Eh. Switching weights takes almost no time at all. I've been working in a group with working weights from 75-165kg and it takes seconds to switch around.

    If I'm benching 280 lbs, that's a lot of weight to take off for a partner that's benching 125lbs and back again. Depends on who you're working out with.

    280 to 125 and back again is nothing. I should have taken a picture of the bar from Saturday because it was a very entertaining way to get to 165kg.

    I've also max tested with a guy who was 4 sets of plates ahead of me. We just laughed that we were getting more work changing plates than benching.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    Solo all the way when it comes to the gym, too distracting otherwise and too time consuming when you're having to constantly switch out weights on a bar.

    Eh. Switching weights takes almost no time at all. I've been working in a group with working weights from 75-165kg and it takes seconds to switch around.

    If I'm benching 280 lbs, that's a lot of weight to take off for a partner that's benching 125lbs and back again. Depends on who you're working out with.

    280 to 125 and back again is nothing. I should have taken a picture of the bar from Saturday because it was a very entertaining way to get to 165kg.

    I've also max tested with a guy who was 4 sets of plates ahead of me. We just laughed that we were getting more work changing plates than benching.

    Glad you had fun racking and unracking weights, not my thing. Waste of time for me and my gym time isn't social time for me either. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm anti-social when I'm in the gym but I go there to focus on me and my lifts. I can interact with others when I'm not in the weight room.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    Solo all the way when it comes to the gym, too distracting otherwise and too time consuming when you're having to constantly switch out weights on a bar.

    Eh. Switching weights takes almost no time at all. I've been working in a group with working weights from 75-165kg and it takes seconds to switch around.

    If I'm benching 280 lbs, that's a lot of weight to take off for a partner that's benching 125lbs and back again. Depends on who you're working out with.

    280 to 125 and back again is nothing. I should have taken a picture of the bar from Saturday because it was a very entertaining way to get to 165kg.

    I've also max tested with a guy who was 4 sets of plates ahead of me. We just laughed that we were getting more work changing plates than benching.

    Glad you had fun racking and unracking weights, not my thing. Waste of time for me and my gym time isn't social time for me either. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm anti-social when I'm in the gym but I go there to focus on me and my lifts. I can interact with others when I'm not in the weight room.

    Meh. I spend most of the week essentially alone in the gym. At the very least I tend not to have too many of my teammates around. So when on Saturdays I get to hang with my bench crew and get hands on work to improve my bench, yes I'm happy about it. Talking shop about bench is my social life and I like it that way.
  • leannraya
    leannraya Posts: 95 Member
    I like both, alone and with my husband. My husband and I just purchased our first bikes and we rode around town tonight and it was so nice to spend time with just him and no phones or distractions (except the car I almost hit, and the dog I almost ran over...) :wink:
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    wilsoncl6 wrote: »
    Solo all the way when it comes to the gym, too distracting otherwise and too time consuming when you're having to constantly switch out weights on a bar.

    Eh. Switching weights takes almost no time at all. I've been working in a group with working weights from 75-165kg and it takes seconds to switch around.

    If I'm benching 280 lbs, that's a lot of weight to take off for a partner that's benching 125lbs and back again. Depends on who you're working out with.

    That's 2 45's on each side and some side plates. It doesn't take that long.

    I get not wanting to lift with other people- but there honestly is no need to be a d**k about how much you can lift more than someone ONLY lifting a "paltry" 125.

  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.
  • positivepowers
    positivepowers Posts: 902 Member
    No . . . just no. I'm normally a social person but when I'm working out I don't want to chit-chat or be companionable, I want to work out. In addition, I'm told I have resting b***h face when I work out and I think I do that unconsciously so others won't be tempted to talk to me while I'm trying to get in zone.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    But he's doing it on only one minute rest. Just think about how much more he could lift if he would let his body recover properly between sets.
  • Mudakon
    Mudakon Posts: 19 Member
    I usually workout alone, but when i workout with my friend usually we go pretty hard and give our everything and for me when im training solo i just can't do that the best example is Chest Day, on solo days i just go High Rep for like 190lbs at the bench when we train together i can go up to 250-270lbs without being scared that im gonna crush my neck.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    But he's doing it on only one minute rest. Just think about how much more he could lift if he would let his body recover properly between sets.

    But- he's got to hurry up and get out of the gym so he can stop being anti- social and get on with his life where he can regularly be social.

    Sacrificing gainz for social life. Makes so much sense.
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    But he's doing it on only one minute rest. Just think about how much more he could lift if he would let his body recover properly between sets.

    But- he's got to hurry up and get out of the gym so he can stop being anti- social and get on with his life where he can regularly be social.

    Sacrificing gainz for social life. Makes so much sense.

    You mean bragging about being able to bench 280? What is that, about 127.5? I don't think in pounds anymore.
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    Very glad someone said this. I'm in the same range but it's not brag worthy and my little wife has no problem spotting me with it.
  • aziiz87
    aziiz87 Posts: 3 Member
    To me i prefer to work alone in GYM to be full concentration..

    If it is fitness session i like it in group
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    But he's doing it on only one minute rest. Just think about how much more he could lift if he would let his body recover properly between sets.

    But- he's got to hurry up and get out of the gym so he can stop being anti- social and get on with his life where he can regularly be social.

    Sacrificing gainz for social life. Makes so much sense.

    You mean bragging about being able to bench 280? What is that, about 127.5? I don't think in pounds anymore.
    Yeppers 127 and change.
    only 38 kg more than I'm putting up- and even less off of your weight. So- yeah. When bragging isn't that much to brag about- lulz.
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    Very glad someone said this. I'm in the same range but it's not brag worthy and my little wife has no problem spotting me with it.

    well- LOL- it's true. I think 3 plates and up I'll start paying attention to what you're lifting- but under that- meh. That's standard work for a dude. It's not bad- it's perfectly fine- but certainly not something to preen about.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    :( My bench blows, and I know it.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    TR0berts wrote: »
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    :( My bench blows, and I know it.

    LOL I'm stuck too- I feel your pain.
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Almost always I prefer to be alone. Working out is "me time". I zone out to my music and get focused on my training.

    Other people tend to slow me down or become a distraction, especially now that I am really fit.

    However, I wouldn't trade my after dinner 3 - 4 mile power walks with my guy for anything in the world.
  • wilsoncl6
    wilsoncl6 Posts: 1,280 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    Also- 280 isn't that much for a dude- I'd stop trying to brag on it.

    Wasn't trying to brag, and 280 isn't what I lift or close to my max. I was trying to make a point about taking time shifting plates around when you don't have to just so someone else can work in. Stop being so judgmental.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    I think I do better just exercising alone. I'd say it depends on the partner though.
    When I exercise with my teenage dd she is quite frankly lazy. She goes through the motions but isn't putting as much effort into the workout. She complains more about getting sweaty or tired. If I were to exercise with dh I would probably feel more challenged to keep up.
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    I get more done when I'm alone and can turn my headphones up and just power through. Less waiting and chatting if I'm doing strength. I don't have anyone to run with that's faster than me, so it doesn't work for cardio either, I only run with my husband in addition to my planned runs because he's more of a "run-two-miles at 7.5mph then walk home" type than my preferred slower but much longer weekend runs. I've been meaning to try one of the local running clubs out so I can try running with people who are good at it and get better, but I just haven't gotten around it.
  • Sarahb29
    Sarahb29 Posts: 952 Member
    I would say better by myself but I haven't had good luck with partners. We'd decide on a day to go and they would back out from headaches, not feeling well etc. At least on my own if I fail it's my own fault. Plus I love listening to music :)
  • marphoria
    marphoria Posts: 14 Member
    edited April 2016
    It depends; I enjoy working out alone and I do it every week, but sometimes I work out with a friend or two to shake up the routine. Strength training can be fun with one other partner since they can encourage you to push yourself, but it gets tricky with cardio, especially if your partner(s) are at different fitness levels. I enjoy running outside and it's fun with more people, but I've had friends that like to jog for 1 minute, then walk for 5 minutes, and I get frustrated because I'd rather jog for the entire half hour. All in all, I do much better alone, but I enjoy the company every now and then.
  • KDar1988
    KDar1988 Posts: 648 Member
    I'm a loner. Mainly because nobody I know works out when I do. I'd rather just put my headphones in and get in my zone for a while.
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,572 Member
    I recently started to work out with a friend and my fitbit says I'm burning an extra 100 calories per workout. Got me thinking that I definitely work out harder with a partner.

    How about you?

    I do not. I do everything better, on my own. Just a personal preference.

  • ghouli
    ghouli Posts: 207 Member
    If I'm going for a walk, I like having a friend with because we'll get caught up talking and end up walking way longer than if I was alone. Other ~leisurely~ exercise, like biking around town on a Friday night, I like having people with then too.

    If I'm going rollerblading or biking hardcore though, I like being by myself with my music, because I can continue going at the pace I want and for however long I want without worrying about the other person.

    At the gym it doesn't really matter because we'll just be doing our own thing anyway.
  • aub6689
    aub6689 Posts: 351 Member
    I have been lifting alone for a long time, so it might be a challenge. I think it really just depends on the partner. If they have a similar lifting style, are knowledgeable, have good form and are really there to workout and nothing else, then I would love to train with someone occasionally. I just don't love trying to get people to workout or push themselves during my workout time. I am encouraging, but like to workout with likeminded individuals. Don't mind training, just don't like to try to train and do my workout at the same time.
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