Hi friends.  Thanks for stopping by to read, Workout with a Friend.  The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to exercise regularly to stay in shape.  Maintaining an average weight without doing some sort of physical workout has been difficult for me as each year passes.  Over the last couple of years I’ve started the habit of taking a daily walk.  When I’m outside, getting fresh air and always having something different to look at makes me feel great.  Another awesome reason I love to walk is, I usually have a friend to go with.

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Crystal and Shannon

Around the year 2010, Shannon and I started talking more at the job we worked at together.  We realized we both loved to walk and decided to start going together.  Since then, we have become amazing friends and rely on each other to get our walks in.  It’s great because we get to catch up on our life but we are also getting a great workout in.

A couple years later I met Laurin at a different job and we became good friends.  We don’t work together anymore but wanted to keep in touch, so once a week we meet to walk together.  This way we get to still keep in touch and get a workout in as well.

Laurin and Crystal

Life does happen, along with the cold winters in Wisconsin, so we don’t always get our walks in.  We always pick back up though when there’s less on our plate or when the weather warms up.

Walking has been very therapeutic for me.  Besides all the extra energy I get, it helps clear my mind and reduces any stress I may have.  It has been my favorite exercise thanks to my walking friends Shannon and Laurin.

There are many forms of exercising other than walking that can be done with a friend.  All you need to do is pick one and feel the benefits of it.  Below are more reasons why it’s a great idea to workout with a friend and why you should start now.

WHY YOU SHOULD WORKOUT WITH A FRIEND

Accountability

There have been plenty of days I thought about skipping my workout but didn’t want to let my friend down.  When you make plans to workout with a friend, your more likely to follow through compared to working out alone.  Each of you are depending on the other to follow through and be there for each other.  Just think, less skipped workouts means more calories burned for you.  The thought of cancelling won’t cross your mind once you get in a regular habit.

Learn new moves from your friends

In addition to helping us stay accountable, friends can teach us exercise moves or tips we didn’t know.  Take turns picking different exercises that require two people.  Changing up your workout will make it more fun and a good chance to learn something new.

Make it fun

It’s much more fun to have a friend to work out with compared to exercising alone.  Time goes quicker with a friend and your bound to share a few laughs.

Free Therapy

Whether it’s catching up on last nights activities or complaining about something that’s on your mind, working out with a friend gives you the opportunity to get your feelings out and help clear your mind.  Between exercising together and talking, both make you feel great after.

Motivation

Friends help us push through when we want to give up.  Friends help motivate us to keep going when we feel we want to give in.

Less chance of getting hurt

Take a friend to the gym to spot you on weights or to watch your form.  The chance of getting hurt is less likely when there is someone to help assist you if needed.

Cheaper to hire a Personal Trainer

Hiring a personal trainer will cost less for both you and your friend compared to only one of you.  Some gyms will knock the price down if there are more than one person signing up for a trainer.  If you both share the same fitness goals hiring a trainer for two people makes much more sense financially.

More of a competition

Sometimes you need something or someone to motivate you to workout harder.  When you workout with a friend you don’t want to look like the slow one, so you try and keep up with them.  This creates a friendly competition and will be to your benefit to help push each other to work out harder.  As a result of this, you will burn more calories.

After looking at all the benefits of having a workout friend it’s a win for both to work out together.  Between the motivation, sweat, money you can save, the goals that will be met and all the laughs and socializing you can do it’s a must to start working out with a friend.

Take a look at these awesome posts by My Fitness Pal.  Great tips on workouts and eating healthy!!

Your 6 Week Belly Fat Blasting Walking Plan

6 Exercises Everyone Should Do

18 Ways To Fuel For A 6 a.m. Workout:  What Dietitians Eat Before They Work Out