Advantages of Working Out With Friends
Helps You Achieve Your Fitness Goals
Studies at Stanford University found that just receiving a bi-weekly phone call to monitor exercise can boost the amount of exercise you do by up to 78% (on average). After 18 months subjects in the trial were still exercising at the increased level. If a simple phonecall can do that imagine what working out face to face with your best friends can achieve.
They Motivate and Support
As a personal trainer, I have worked out with friends. I can tell you from experience that when you are flagging or struggling with a particular exercise, friends will motivate, encourage and push you well beyond what you thought you were capable of. This friendly encouragement and support will help you to get the most out of your workout sessions and it will push you to achieve your fitness goals.
They Make Workouts More Fun
I'm a firm believer that working out should be enjoyable and fun. Having your buddies with you to chat, giggle, motivate and encourage means your workouts will be so much more fun. Enjoying your workouts will make you much more likely to stick to your training programme, helping you to achieve your fitness goals.
Less Likely to Skip a Session
It's so easy to skip training when you are working out alone and aren't accountable to anyone. Working out with a friend means you are much less likely to let your friend down by not turning up to a session.
Competition Improves Performance
Healthy competition is scientifically proven to be beneficial when working out. A phenomena known as the Köhler Effect has been demonstrated in groups working out together. The Köhler Effect is observed when weaker members of a group push themselves and work harder than they would when working individually. It is believed that not wanting to be the weakest link within the group motivates people to work harder.
They Provide Social Contact
At this time when social contact is limited you may find yourself isolated living alone, or with just family and unable to see your friends
you used to attend fitness classes with. Organising a Skype session with a personal trainer can be a great way to get together, maintain
your fitness routine and maintain that social contact.
