How to Get a Work Out Partner

Working out doesn't mean you have to go to the gym by yourself. Often, the best way to get into a habit of working out is to have a "work out buddy." This person can be a friend, co-worker, significant other or family member. There are two different types of "work out buddies": a partner or a motivator. The motivator is someone who goes to the gym with you but you work out differently while the partner is someone who goes to the gym with you and does the same work out routine.

Things You'll Need

• A gym (or if just running together a path)
• A buddy
• Self motivation

Instructions

How to find a work out partner

1. The first thing you need to have is self motivation. No matter how much a work out buddy wants you to go to the gym, you have to be wanting to go for yourself.

2. Make up goals for yourself. Knowing where you want to be in three months and how you plan on achieving will make it easier to find someone whose goals are similar. This also means making realistic goals. If you are looking to lose weight, a healthy weight loss is one to two pounds a week.

3. Start looking around. Know of a friend who already has a work out schedule? Ask her if you can tag along. Just because she may be more advanced than you doesn't mean you can't go to the gym together. This type of person can be a great way to get start because she already knows the mistakes she made and can give helpful advice.
   Have a friend that is at the same point as you? This type of person can be great for some competition and motivation. If you both are at the same level of strength and fitness you can learn together what will and will not work for you.

4. Set up a schedule that will work for both of you. If you both are morning people, go before work. Sometimes knowing there is someone waiting for you at the gym gives you more motivation to get out of bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Find someone that has similar goals or has already met the goals you want to achieve

• Don't go with someone that is so far ahead of you that you will want to quit. Getting back into shape takes time and sometimes the results will not always be there. Just because your work out buddy lost five pounds in a week doesn't mean you are going to.