Why you need an Exercise Buddy
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Humans are more successful when we hunt in packs. It was true when we were hunter gatherers, it’s equally as true when we’re hunting fitness gains and gathering results. Together we’re stronger. If you’re starting a fitness journey alone, that’s amazing! But it could be better. Here is a list of reasons, both physical and mental, as to why we at Vitasole think you should utilise your tribe.
1) Motivation
Health kicks almost always start strong. You feel like that internal drive to better yourself and get healthy will last forever. You hit the ground running and feel like you can take on the world. This feeling is fleeting.
Sooner or later that trip to the gym is going to seem longer than it was last week and your couch will all of a sudden be the most comfortable place on Earth. Don’t feel bad, this happens to everyone at some point or another. However, if you’re not careful, this moment of sluggishness can derail your fitness journey. Your day off evolves to a week off and before you know it you haven’t exercised in months.
That’s where an exercise buddy comes in. Skipping the gym suddenly has a whole new element to it if you’re leaving your friend waiting at the front door. 9 times out of 10 that call to tell them you’re not coming is met with a “don’t be a wuss” (or something nicer, depending on your vibe and all of a sudden you’ll be on your way!
Don’t worry, next week we’re sure you’ll return the favour.
2) Fit times, fun times
Exercise doesn’t have to be all grunting and sweating. Humans are social by nature so having a chance to hang out with your exercise buddy while exercising gives you another reason to want to do it. Plus when it IS all grunting and sweating you’ll be happy to have a distraction.
The best bonds are forged through adversity, and we at Vitasole know no better adversity than getting through one last set with a friend when you normally would’ve tapped out a while ago.
You can go and get a drink afterwards as well! After all, you’ve earned it.
3) Competition
Humans aren’t just social, we’re competitive too. No matter how supportive and lovely your exercise buddy may be, there’s always a little (somewhat petty) voice in your head that will always tell you “you’ve got to beat them over the line”.
Don’t feel bad about it, it’s in our nature. Trust us, they’re thinking the exact same thing about you.
Use it.
That competitive streak of wanting to be the best will push you to levels that you’d never get to on your own.
4) Celebrate with someone!
Before you set out on this fitness journey it’s a good idea to set some goals. (We have covered this in other blogs if you want some in-depth advice on how to do this right.)
Do this with your exercise buddy and it’s all the sweeter when you hit those targets. That sense of achievement will be twice as nice when it’s shared with a friend.
Sure, your friends and family will be proud of you when you tell them. But there’s nothing like that super crisp high-five from someone who’s been right there in the trenches with you!
5) Learn together
If you’re new to this exercise thing it can be hard to know where to start. Like most things in life you’ll develop and get better as you go. If you’re doing it with an exercise buddy, that progress can happen twice as fast. You’ll pick up tips or things that work for you and you can share those with the person doing it with you.
We hate to break it to you, but chances are the people in your life won’t be quite as interested in your new exercise routine as you are. Doing it with a buddy means you’ve got a mutual interest and someone who’ll always be happy to discuss it with you.
6) Safety first
Something you will never think about until you need it is the additional safety getting fit with an exercise buddy can provide. You might be going on walks through new unfamiliar trails, pushing yourself to the limit lifting weights or even needing someone to help you out if you get an injury. If something goes wrong you’ll be glad you’ve got that friend to help you out.
Exercising with a friend is a great way to make sure you stick to it, and to push yourself to levels you never thought possible alone. So what are you waiting for? Get that friend on the phone, get to the track and push yourself to the limit! But that’s not the only friend you should hit up.
Vitasole is your friend in this fitness journey too! A good pair of shoes will push you just as far as that smiling face next to you. Life’s an adventure best shared with a good friend and a great pair of shoes. Happy exercising from your friends at Vitasole.