Are you having trouble reaching your fitness goals? Would you like to be more consistent, better motivated, and more adventurous? It’s time to find a workout buddy!

When you have a workout partner you’ll work harder because your buddy will encourage you and you will encourage your pal. A study from Michigan State University, found that exercising with a partner motivated participants to work harder and longer, and improved overall fitness results as compared with solo workouts. When someone else is counting on you, you won’t let them down.

Plus, with a friend it’s easier to try new things and experience new activities. Studies have shown that people who spend time around fitness-minded pals tend to be more adventurous and successful at weight loss. A partner's better fitness habits can actually rub off on us, inspiring us to reach higher levels of conditioning.

Workout buddies can also provide the kind of regular emotional and social contact that's critical to overall health and, after the past couple of years, who doesn’t need a little additional support network?

How do you find the right fit? Look for someone with the same schedule and goals that you have. Talk with friends, co-workers and people at the gym. Try a social media app, to make new friends and find others that share your goals. Just knowing you have a virtual partner exercising along with you (but in another location) can cause you to significantly lengthen your workout and keep you on track. So, don’t wait, find a pal, become a better you, and have fun doing it!

Sources: CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention / The Big Benefits of Exercise Buddies by Valerie Latona, AARP, May 8, 2019