Fitness Friendships

Finding the right fitness partner may be one of the best ways to help you stick with (and learn to love!) an exercise program. While you might be tempted to cancel your solo workout plans when that alarm goes off, you will likely think twice about deserting a friend who is counting on you. A workout buddy will push you on the days when you feel like slacking, make the time go faster as you swap stories and laughs, and help keep you motivated to reach your goals. As a mom, I often feel that friendships are difficult to maintain, because our work and lives are often so busy. Fitness friendships have become very valuable to me, as I can multitask! Catching up with a friend during a run or a walk at the park with our children means that I can enjoy an adult conversation and get in some fitness minutes--preserving my sanity on two fronts!

Thinking about a prospective workout partner? Consider a few points first.

1. Are your fitness goals similar to your partner’s? If your friend wants to be able to swim a mile in the pool and you want to be able to run a 5k, you are either going to have to compromise –swim one day, run the next- or you simply need to find someone that wants to train for a 5k along with you.
 2. Are your fitness levels similar? If your fitness is very high and your partner is just starting out, you may need to be creative in your workouts or you may get frustrated. However, not all workouts need to be super intense, so you might meet up with that friend on a light workout day instead and be an encourager to them.
3. How close do you live to your prospective partner? I get rather inflexible if my drive time is going to be much longer than my workout. Perhaps you can meet in the middle between your locations, or switch back and forth with who does the driving. If you do have a friend that lives further from you, make it a goal to meet up for a fitness date just once or twice a month. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to catch up and still make a great use of your time together.

If there isn’t a name that has already popped into your mind as a potential partner, start with your close friends or family members. You might find that your best friend has been really needing the encouragement to start exercising and changing her diet. Make a plan together and carry each other through the tough days.

Still no takers? 
1. Go out on a limb at work and see if anyone is interested in working out at lunch or before or after work; you just might find a kindred spirit. 
2. Check out your local Craigslist ads or fitness ads on Meetup.com. (Just please play it super safe if you are meeting up with someone you don’t know.) 
3. If you are interested in running, check in with a local running shoe store for details on running clubs in your area. 
4. Do you enjoy a sport? Find a new club or team to join. 
5. Try a new fitness class at an area gym or community college, you might meet someone who is as passionate about Pilates as you are = instant friendship!
 6. Create a free account at www.sparkpeople.com and join an online exercise group with similar goals. You may even end up finding a friend in your area. 

Friendships are important to cultivate and fitness is essential to maintain. 

Try putting the two together and enjoy the satisfying results.