There’s something special about being part of a group. Spoken or unspoken, you rest easier knowing, “We’re in this together.”
You experience that feeling when you exercise in groups, too. Research shows those who sweat socially, like with a workout buddy, are more likely to stick with their fitness plan and see success.
In a Baylor University study, after teaching 53 female college students a specific weight-training workout, the researchers told them to do it on their own 3-days a week for 6 weeks.
Can you guess what happened? Every single one of them quit the study.
A workout buddy doesn’t guarantee success, but it makes success more likely, a review of 87 studies on 50,000 people found this link to be clea).
Still not convinced? Here are 5 more reasons to think about grabbing a friend and workout buddy before hitting the gym:
- Time flies. This isn’t to say your 60-minute workout will be easy, but instead of constantly watching the clock, you can catch up on each other’s lives between sets, laugh, and have fun.
- No more Debbie Downer. Who likes canceling plans with a friend? If your workout partner is counting on you to be there, you’ll be less likely to bail.
- Share a babysitter. If your gym doesn’t have a kid center, share the cost of a sitter.
- Keep perspective. Most of us are hard on ourselves. When you have workout buddies, they can help you see your progress and remind you of how far you’ve come.
- Stay on track. Not only do friends help you see how far you’ve come, they also keep you thinner. Harvard University researchers found that a person’s risk of becoming obese goes up by 2% for every 5 obese friends or family members he or she has. Yikes!
Give social sweating a try, and let us know what you think.
And if you’re looking for a gym to join, check out our Fitness Discounts section.