GOOD TO GREAT SERIES: HOW TO BE A GREAT TRAINING PARTNER
Training is fun. I’ve been training for over 15 years and I always prefer to do it with others than alone. Why? Because it’s more fun. And if its more fun i’m more likely to repeat the experience.
Training should be safe and effective in reaching your goals. By making it fun, it becomes something we anticipate versus something we feel obligated to.
One of my greatest pet peeves is seeing multiple people at our gym working out by themselves on a squat rack with ear phones on in a class full of people.
There is a ton of value in having partners while training in class or outside of class.
Here are the top 3 ways your training partners can serve a greater purpose.
- Safety & Feedback: At a bare minimum a good training facility emphasizes quality movement and mechanics. A good partner will make sure your training area is clear and free of obstacles while giving you a base level of feedback while you move. Sometimes it can be as easy.
- Motivation & Support: Good training partners aren’t off and checking their cell phones when you’re hitting a set; they are near you, watching your set and supporting your effort. We all know how much easier it is to push for an extra rep when you have a friend encouraging you, so utilize your training partners to get more out of your training session.
- Stay Focused: When you’re exerting yourself and sending it, the last thing you want to do is count. Partners can help you stay focused on your mechanics or your training goal by doing the more mundane things, like counting your reps. You’re concentrating so hard with your full effort, I know i’ve lost count more than once mid set. They can be especially helpful if you’re doing tempo work by counting your seconds and telling you when to move into the next phase of the lift – “one-one thousand, two-one thousand!” goes a lot slower when someone is counting out loud versus in your head.
Lastly, the reason I love partnering is because it births community. Human interaction, support, high fives and friendship are some of the top reasons Reason has become a beacon for people to become healthier, happier humans. Don’t miss an opportunity to meet someone new and to help each other move toward similar goals of improved health and fitness.
Try this – next time your workout doesn’t call for a timed, full send effort, pair up with someone new and be a good training partner. They’ll do the same for you, and you’ll both walk out of the gym a lot happier after your training session.
