Do you go to the gym alone or only with an exercise buddy?
By vivasuzi
@vivasuzi (4127)
United States
February 17, 2009 11:31am CST
Years ago my husband (then boyfriend) and I signed up for the Gym. That year we went not much because I would only go if he was going. We gave up the gym for a few years after that.
Yesterday we both signed up again for the gym - they have a great "couples" discount at our local rec center. We exercised together last night and said that we would schedule in a few times a week to workout together, but that when our schedules conflict we would try to go on our own.
I don't know why but I'd rather not go by myself... I'm trying to talk myself into it because this week already my husband has plans Wed and Thurs nights and we both have plans Sat, so going together seems like it would be tough!
I think I've finally decided to just make myself go without him and sit on a treadmill or bike for 30 minutes at least to do something. Maybe I won't go playing with all the weights (I prefer to have a partner for that to switch sets with). I just don't want the membership to go to waste just because we can't always go together.
Do you go alone or do you like to have a buddy? Do you feel like you get more exercise done when you are alone or when you are with someone? I know when I am alone I am more likely to get distracted or bored and stop early.... so that's why I think going to sit on a bike might be easy enough, especially if I bring a book!
2 people like this
7 responses
@kareng (54724)
• United States
3 Mar 09
Going alone takes a lot of motivation! I joined once on my own and did pretty good but then I started slacking and quit going. Before that I always went with a friend from work. That was when the Rec Center on campus was fairly close to our building. We would walk over, exercise for 40 minutes and walk back. We did this 3 x a week and we really enjoyed it.
I think I enjoy going with a friend more. My hubby would never make it to a gym after work. He pretty much eats dinner, watches a little tv and goes to bed. I'm not usually one to go to bed before 10. So hubby is not a good choice in an exercise partner for me.
Maybe you could start a reward program for those times when you have to go alone. After your workout, stop for a healthy treat...a frozen yogurt or something like that! Make it fun and a treat for afterward so you will actually want to go. You can also reward yourself with a shopping trip if you make your workout every week at the end of the month! Just treat yourself to a new shirt or makeup or whatever! It doesn't have to be a big item :) Have fun at the gym!
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
13 Mar 09
Well we are managing to do about 2 days a week but some how each week the 3rd day gets cancelled! Today was one of our "gym" nights and then my husband got invited to a hockey game so he's out. And tomorrow we're going out with the folks so that's out... but we are DEFINITELY going saturday!!
Thanks for the support!!
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
4 Mar 09
That's what happens to a lot of people who go alone - they start slacking then suddenly they are never going.
My problem is now becoming timing. The days I almost convince myself to go alone - I realize that tomorrow I'm gonna go with my husband and I dont want to go 2 days in a row because I tend to need a day off to rest my achy muscles.
So we may have to start a routine and actually put on the calendar when we are going! I am really trying to get there 2-3 times a week to make it worth it but we had a lot of issues - first my neck hurt for 2 weeks, then I was sick, then he was sick, then I worked out on a new machine and my legs hurt for 1/2 a week. So basically I think the only way I will get any use of the gym at this point is if we set aside specific days and make a point to ALWAYS go on those days.
The only trouble there is that things do come up - like outings and parties and such. In those cases we will have to promise to adjust our schedule for that week only. I think we will try Tuesday and Thursday and then make our 3rd day EITHER Saturday or Sunday so that way we have options and we are never going 2 days in a row. I think writing this all out helped me decide!
BTW - My idea of a reward isn't always healthy ;) But I figure if I'm going to have an ice cream shake ANYWAY (because I would anyway) then I might as well work out first! I think overall it just takes time to add "going to the gym" into our routine, but we are getting there. Wish me luck :-D
1 person likes this
@31rn62 (44)
• United States
20 Feb 09
As a personal trainer I've read alot about and seen with my own eyes the effects of working out with a partner. For most people it truly is beneficial for them to have a partner there to push then(whether it is conscience or subconscience). Personally, i like to work out by myself as I found working out relaxing and gives me a chance to think or clear my head or both.
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
27 Feb 09
I'd have to agree with you that there is something there that makes working with a partner more beneficial. Perhaps it is seeing your partner do more laps then you that makes you want to push harder. Perhaps it is making a goal and then TELLING your partner the goal that motivates you to complete. If I tell my husband "i'm going to do this machine for 10 minutes", I am MUCH more likely to do it then if I don't tell him my plan because now I feel like I have something to prove :)
At home I do enjoy working out alone, but that is home so it is more comfortable to me. However going to the gym alone is still hard for me to swallow.
@elisa812 (3026)
• United States
12 Mar 09
I like to go to the gym with my husband. I go by myself sometimes if our schedules are different, but we try to go together whenever we are able. I like going with him better, cause then I feel like we provide support for each other, and it's also nice to spend the time together, especially doing something good for ourselves. I don't mind going by myself if I have to, though. I think I actually sometimes get a better workout when I go by myself, because I usually bring a magazine or something and get caught up in reading since I don't have anyone to talk to. Also, I tend to push myself more, because I then look forward to being able to tell my husband how well I did the next time I see him. 
@23uday (2997)
• India
22 Mar 09
Hi friendly,
I will do exercise daily in my home.
I have recently joined in gym with my friend and i will going to gym with friendly
its best support to us and helps other exercise.
Daily i will do exercise in gym is 2 hours a day.
When i will not going to gym so i will do in home only.
Doing daily exercise our body keeps in a good conditions.
have a nice day.
@brady2moss (700)
• Singapore
12 Mar 09
I prefer to go alone, but it would be nice if a buddy of mine came along. My wife is not really into working out in gyms, so I had to do it alone. I do meet people at the gym, so when we bump into each other and are working out the same muscle group, then we do the workouts together, it's fun that way.
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
18 Feb 09
I like to go to gym with company because I tend to stop very quickly when I do exercises with the cardio equipment alone. If I have company, we can talk and do exercises at the same time, make it better.
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
20 Feb 09
Yeah when I am there with a buddy I don't think as much about the exercise because the conversation keeps me distracted, so I can walk more laps without getting bored. Plus I'm more willing to try new machines when there is a buddy there to try them with me!
@susanz (21)
• China
12 Mar 09
I prefer to do sports with company.but my friends and i do not always have the same time to do exercise.so i go alone sometimes. when i am alone i find that i can concentrate.because my friend and i will talk or do other more interesting things other than exercise.so i think i can get more in exercise when i am alone.
