Buddy Up For Fitness Success

by Kris Pitcher

Making progress toward your goals is as easy as initiating the buddy system. Having a workout partner is critical to making gains. Whether your focus is getting to a group exercise class, or benching your body weight...you need a buddy.

Accountability is the first key to success with your buddy. Knowing someone is counting on you to show up increases your chances of getting there yourself. You are accountable to them and vice versa. The beauty of the buddy system is it works both ways.

Support and positive peer pressure is the next benefit. Having someone push you will help you get past the barriers you've falsely put in place for yourself. They'll get you to do one more repetition, or five more minutes. You will push each other. It works.

Finding the right person is what makes this work. You've got to be able to count on them. They've got to have similar goals, be willing to do a similar workout, and be able to meet your schedule.

If you've got a workout partner, and it's the right match, you know what a difference it makes. If they just sit on the bike next to you and dump all their problems on you...you might need to find a new partner. Just a thought.

Having trouble finding the right person? Many people do. It's a big, important role to fill. And that's why a lot of people hire a personal trainer. Their trainer fits the role by definition: accountable, reliable, knowledgeable, someone to push you toward your goal.

When you are ready to make your fitness your success...buddy up!