Studies show that there are a number of benefits to working out with a partner, but if you’ve ever tried to find one, you know it’s not that simple. There are a number of different strategies for finding the right fitness friend (which we’ll outline below), but what works for one person may not be the same as what works for another. Ultimately, there are three things that make someone a great fit, and we’ve grouped our approaches accordingly.
Similar interests – Hopefully a workout partner is someone you’ll be spending a lot of time with, so it makes sense to look for one based on wanting to do the same activities or at least liking each other.
Start with a friend or loved one – It’s totally normal to discuss fitness goals with people you know, so why not work out with them too? You already know you like them, and we tend to be more supportive and forgiving of differences in skill level if there’s a personal relationship as well.
Use social media – Not finding the right person in your inner circle? Cast the net wider on Facebook or twitter. Even if your friends and family members aren’t interested, maybe there’s a friend of a friend or someone you know but aren’t close with that is looking just like you are.
Join an intramural sport – With team members, you’ll already know that you have something in common. You may even have some of the same fitness goals since you’re training to participate in the same sport. It just makes sense to see if you can work out as a team too.
Similar fitness goals – Working out with someone who has similar goals or fitness levels means that you’ll likely be able to set shared mini-goals, do the same activities, and even measure progress in the same way.
Ask a trainer – Trainers and other gym personnel are in a great position to know who else at your gym has a similar skill level, or is also training for a marathon. They also may be able to facilitate an introduction, removing the awkwardness of introducing yourself.
Take a group class – Classes are often separated by skill level, already narrowing the pool of candidates. You’ll also have the chance to see what you’re working with before you ever meet. Plus, hanging around after class gives you the perfect chance to casually strike up a conversation.
Try a buddy finder app – Some people use Craigslist or Meetup.com to find complete strangers to work out with, but this is 2016, and there are a host of new options. Wellsquad and Fitfuse are just two of the many new apps geared toward finding workout partners. Ask around to see if there are any that are popular in your area.
Similar schedules – Nine tenths of being a great workout buddy is just showing up. So, sometimes just finding someone who wants to work out at the same time as you is as good as gold.
Talk to coworkers – You show up at the same time and you leave at the same time, so why couldn’t you work out at the same time. Plus, chances are you already know if you can tolerate each other.
Become a regular – If you work out at the same time every day, it won’t take long before you recognize and eventually even acknowledge the other people who work out at that time. See who else does the same exercises or uses similar weight and strike up a conversation. Just be aware that they may prefer working out alone.
Do it virtually – Sometimes the best schedule is no schedule at all. Fitbit and other fitness devices now give you a lot of the same measurement and comparison tools that you’d get from working out with somebody, but on your own schedule.
Whatever you do, what matters is that by pairing up you’re likely to push each other to work harder, you’ll stay more motivated to work out, you’ll have someone to celebrate reaching goals with, and overall it makes working out more fun. So, out of curiosity, what are you doing Saturday morning?