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Do I Need
a Training Partner?
By Russ Yeager
(As Seen In the July/August 2005) Issue of Natural Muscle Magazine)
Today I want to discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages
to having a training partner, tell my own training partner story,
and hopefully help you figure out if a training partner is right
for you. During my years of training I have had many different training
partners, and have also had long stretches when I trained alone
either because I could not find a good training partner or because
I was traveling so much with my job that most of my workouts were
not in my normal gym. When I first started training in high school
I worked out with my buddy Jason. Neither one of us knew what the
heck we were doing in the gym and definitely knew nothing about
proper nutrition to build muscle, but we both shared a common desire
for pumping iron and trying to build muscle! Despite our massive
overtraining and poor eating habits consisting of pizza buffets
with some "old school" weight gainer thrown in for good measure,
we were able make some pretty good gains due to our sheer determination
and hard work, but that's another story.
Jason and I trained together for three years in high
school and then another four years through college. We were both
very dedicated and competitive so we would push each other in the
weight room each day, which is one of the major advantages of having
a good training partner. Then, we both graduated college and went
our separate ways into the real world.
For the first time since I started training I was
left without a workout partner so I did what I had to do; I worked
out by myself. I am a very self-motivated person and do not need
someone else to hold me accountable for making it to the gym. If
I have a workout scheduled then I am going to be there short of
being hospitalized or dead. I actually did pretty well working out
alone as my desire to improve and challenge myself comes from within.
I also enjoyed the flexibility to adjust my training time if I needed
to without checking with someone else first. Everything was up to
me and only me so I had complete power over my workouts and what
I got out of them.
For the next six years I went through periods of training
with a partner and training by myself. Some workout partners were
good, some were not so great, and some were terrible. I found that
I was at my all time best when I was training with a good workout
partner who was as motivated as I was in the gym. However, I also
found that I was better off by myself than with a crappy workout
partner who may miss workouts, show up unmotivated to train, or
talk excessively during the workout about non-training related issues.
I realized that finding a great workout partner was not easy at
all!
After moving to a new city and trying a few more training
partners that did not work out, I went through a long spell of training
on my own. I figured I was better off going at it alone than being
dragged down by someone else. This worked well and I learned to
ask for spots from others in the gym. The problem with this is that
you never know what type of spot you are going to get and the consistency
is just not there.
About two years ago, I was introduced to a client
of one of the trainers at the gym. He just seemed like a normal
middle-aged man who was a little overweight. About three months
later I received a phone call from this person, Doug. He told me
that he had lost some weight and learned his way around the weight
room, but that now he wanted to take it to the next level and asked
me to train him so that he could do what I was doing. I told him
the best thing I could offer him was to train with me every morning
and I would teach him everything I do and explain why I do it. He
agreed and seemed all gung ho; however, I did not get my hopes up
as I have had plenty of training partners who seemed motivated at
first, but that quickly faded after a few months of intense workouts.
To make a long story short, Doug and I are still training
together every morning and have established a great relationship
as both training partners and friends. The progress Doug has made
since we have been training together has been nothing short of incredible,
and he is not only motivated to improve himself but also motivates
me as well. He is even getting stronger than me on some exercises,
which really keeps me motivated to step it up! I feel very lucky
to have found such a great training partner and have been able to
take my training efforts to a higher level as a result.
While finding a good training partner can be difficult
(heck, it took me almost seven years!), I believe that doing so
will allow you to take your training efforts to a higher level than
training alone no matter how self-motivated you are. I can think
of numerous times when I have attempted a new heavier weight or
gone for an extra rep, where there is no way I would have done so
without having my training partner there. The consistent motivation,
competitive drive, camaraderie, and having someone to tell you when
your form does not look right are the biggest advantages you will
gain from having a good training partner.
If you are looking to take your training to the next
level and do not have a training partner then I encourage you to
seek out a good training partner as soon as possible. You may have
to go through some bad ones to find someone with goals that are
similar to yours, but be patient and keep looking. If a workout
partner turns out to be bad then don't let them slow you down. Dump
em and train by yourself until you find a good one!
Advantages of having a workout partner:
- Consistent spots allow you to go for heavier weights and build
more muscle while maintaining safety
- Motivation you and your partner provide for each other
- Someone to watch your form
- Competitive drive to push both of you to new levels
- Camaraderie and friendship
- Accountability to show up at the gym.
Disadvantages of having a workout partner:
- Bad workout partners can distract you and keep you from being
your best
- Must have ability to be flexible and plan any time changes with
another person
- You give up some control and power with a training partner
- Workouts may take longer
Russ Yeager is a 6'6' lifetime natural bodybuilder and fitness
coach. Russ has been called a "Physique Transformation Expert."
His passion is helping others make dramatic improvements to their
physiques, health, and level of life happiness. Russ is a Certified
Fitness Trainer (CFT), writer, and owner of Russ Yeager's Health
and Fitness (http://www.russyeager.com).
To find out how to obtain a free copy of Russ's brand new e-book
"27 Must-Have Tips For A Complete Physique Transformation" visit
http://www.completephysiquetransformation.com/
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