Training Partner

[CrystalChick]

Just wondering how may of the ladies actually have a training partner??
Do you think it make a difference in your training?

I wish I had one but..... I would never ask someone I didn't know Im way to shy.

 

[scrummy]

I don't have a training partner right now, but I really wish I did. I play rugby so my training involves a ton of cardio, speed training and weight training. I moved from my home town and none of my friends here train hard. I have gone through a few people, but all either bowed out or just wanted to "tone" (don't even get me started).
A training partner helped me get to the gym or the track when I really did not want to go. I loved having a spot when I needed it. I don't like asking for a spot b/c I rarely get someone who knows what they are doing even when I explain exactly what I need them to do.
I like to think I was able to push and motivate my training partner to levels she might not have reached on her own. At 6am after 20 hills and some almost pukes, while I was yelling at my partner to do another one (5x) I was also yelling at myself. There is no way that either of us would run as hard as we did without some encouragement from each other.
I have not had a partner in over 2 years, and I can still train hard, but I would love a hard core training partner. It makes it fun and a little competitive. That's just my thoughts. scrummy

 

[newgirl-chargeback]

Currently my training partner is my husband (a former personal trainer), however before that, I did chummy up with a young woman at the gym and occasionally we would train together.

While I believe that differences in ability does not matter (ie., one person stronger than the other should not hinder each other's workouts) -- the same "work ethic" must apply between partners. The woman I was working out with, was not timely nor committed. I would spend time waiting for her -- either she was extremely late or conducting a social coffee clutch. It was more of place for her to go rather than really putting in a good workout.

I like having a workout partner for some of my workouts but do like to train alone as well. Yes it motivates you and provides a good spot for forced reps. For me, working with my husband, it gives us time to be alone together...no phone, no bosses, no child, no dogs! Just us.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

I workout on a 4-day split-- 2 days I have a PT so Im doing heavy lifts & 2 days on my own--- I had a traing partner before but the problems were-- they talk too much & they lift much lighter... so if you need the company-- go for it-- but personally I concentrate better on my own.

 

[BrickGirl]

I workout with my husband and I always have. I wouldn't want it any other way, we both push each other when we need to. It works out great

 

[Gladiola]

I had one for close to a year, but he decided not to renew his membership at the gym since he is a student & can use the Univ gym for free. I happen to teach aerobics at that gym so I was going to workout there too, but that didn't work.

Sooo, I'm back to solo - this is effective 2 weeks ago. I'm liking the environment in the AM at my "real" gym (A Gold's I bought myself a membership to) - but I KNOW I will soon miss a partner again.
Yes, it is VERY valuable to have a partner! Not only to motivate you, but just to spot & help you with doing negatives, etc.

My personal plan is to get familar with the typical AM crowd, strike up a few conversations & hope to find someone. I'm serious enough about lifting that it shows so hopefully I'll meet up with someone else equally serious & interested in a partner.

 

[JJFigure]

I haven't lifted with a training partner for years. I attempted at one point, but she wasn't very committed so I gave up on her. I could really use a consistent spotter though - especially with my bench work. I sometimes train with my PL friend, and with one of my customers when I'm working at his site, but other than that, I go it alone.

I tend to be a loner though - I don't like to talk while I'm lifting, and I like to keep the intensity high by keeping the rest intervals shorter, and it's hard to find other people who will train that way. Hell, it's hard to find someone who will spot you and keep their hands off the bar - one of my ongoing frustrations!

 

[NDGirl]

I workout with my fince. I love it. We both help each other and motivate each other.

Having a workout partner could also be a negative. If their not as motivated as you. You can get screwed if they dont show. (I would leave without them) but some people need that other person. You want to be able to feed off of eachothers energy. It gets tiring being the motivater all the time.

That is just my thought. If you can find someone, just make sure they are into it and want to do it.

NDGirl

 

[vinylgroover]

I don't train with a partner. I have never had a problem motivating myself.

Problem with partners is it's hard to find one that's as committed, and it's even harder to find someone who has the same goals and likes to use just free weights and compound exercises.

I'm just not prepared to compromise on any aspect of my workout, especially when it comes to using cables, machines etc. I just won't use them and that often pisses off other people.

As for spots, you can ask anyone at the gym to spot you.

 

[2Shy]

I had to give up my partner because she isn't as committed as I am. (Why do I feel like I just fed everyone a straight line?) She constantly changed our workout times at the last minute, never showed, and when she did had to be motivated to up her weights. If left up to her own devices, she'd still be lifting the same weight she lifted six months ago.

I felt like I was training her instead of working out with her. I'm also a very punctual person. All the schedule changes were driving me nuts. Rather than lose the friendship, I opted out of training with her. She'll have to motivate herself.

I do enjoy having someone I know working out at the same time with me. Heck, they don't even need to be doing the same routine. But they're there for a spot or encouragement if you really need it.

But I don't need them. I motivate myself just fine.

I recently had the opportunity to work out with the Asylum crew. It's a lot different working with people who are intense and committed to their goals.

Guess that leaves me at an ambivalent "I like working out with a partner, but I don't need them."

 

[Puddles]

I train with my husband almost all of the time. He trained me to start out with, but now we're partners and we will give eachother the pushes when we need it, spots, and congrat's too. We appreciate the support we give eachother and sharing reaching goals together is another wonderful addition to our relationship. We're both very motivated, so it helps knowing that the other is expecting a lot from you. We do a lot of the same excercises together, but there are some things I do that he doesn't do and vice versa. I know I wouldn't have come this far without his support.

 

[Bigsatan13]

As for spots, you can ask anyone at the gym to spot you.

This is a recipe for disaster! A bad spotter can realy hurt you.


BTW, my wife says she has the best training partner!

 

[JJFigure]

Finding a decent spotter is the HARDEST thing to do. You can't even train some people. "Please don't touch the bar unless I really need help" - that's my opening line. Next thing you know, they're holding on to the bar. How difficult is it, anyway? At most, all I'll need is a "finger" spot on the last rep of the last set. Mainly, I just want to know someone is there if I need them - hopefully, I won't need them. It does give you more confidence going into that last set if you feel you have a safety net, though.

I really miss my PL gym I used to go to - everyone knew how to spot. You won't find that in a regular gym.

 

[FitFossil]

My husband and I don't work out "together", but we're in the gym at the same time. So, if one of us needs a spot, it's always available, otherwise we're doing our own thing.

 

[CrystalChick]

Thanks for all of your insight and response's.....off to try and find a training partner.... Im so shy It's going to be difficult....

 

[witkowsd]

I don't have a training partner but if it looks like I need a spotter, either one of the trainers or one of the guy's I talk with will just come over and help me.

 

[vinylgroover]

This is a recipe for disaster! A bad spotter can realy hurt you.

So can the bar landing on your chest BS.

 

[Bigsatan13]

So can the bar landing on your chest BS.

I know. A spotter who was not paying attention did not "catch" 420 when it came out of my hands. If it wasn't for my Superman powers I would have been killed. It came out of my hands after I locked out and bounced off my chest.

 

[wateengedoe2]

Thanks for all of your insight and response's.....off to try and find a training partner.... Im so shy It's going to be difficult....

I'm shy as well, and wouldn't know where to find a woman who would want to workout the way I do (heavy, often). Even asking for a spotter is difficult for me, but most of the times I ask either the gym owner (if he's got time) or some of the guys I talk with (not too many, LOL, too shy for that too )

 

[Puddles]

At my gym there's a bulletin board where people will stick up a note saying they are looking for a w/o partner with some description of what they're looking for and their phone #. Maybe your gym has something similar...if not, you could suggest it.

 

[CrystalChick]

Sounds... Good I think I will

 

[wateengedoe2]

At my gym there's a bulletin board where people will stick up a note saying they are looking for a w/o partner with some description of what they're looking for and their phone #. Maybe your gym has something similar...if not, you could suggest it.

My gym is quite small, I doubt if there are any women that would want to workout in the same way. At least I know there are none who workout like me now (I know, because the gym owner told me). And men .. Oh well, I feel they don't even want to take advise of me, let alone ask me as a spotter (other way around is no problem, but of course I couldn't give them just those 5 kg they need, when they're benching and can't get the weight up anymore ??? ), so working out together with them won't be possible.

Anyway, I am going to write an article and a website on lifting for women (mostly geared toward weight (mmm, well, fat) loss, because most women are interested in that), so that might get some women over there enthousiastic (I'll promote it at the gym). So who knows ....

 

[hardasnails73]

It just happens that you find a good training partner, usually ones i have end up complaining i'm too sore or end up throwing up. In my area there are not to may people,that train with intensity I do especially when i'm in contest phase and just have that "get the fuc out of my way" glare. even though i'm the nicest guy on the planet I some times have to be a dick in the gym when i'm working out. After back its back to earth again. Once in that zone there is no stopping me and i will tell people what is really on my mind when i am in that zone !! That mind frame start now I need to train smarter and more intese then ever if i need to accomplish my goals for this year !!

 

[grlpwrd]

I used to workout with my hubby, but it gets too distracting and he's beyond me in terms of strength - I can't spot him. Now he only comes with me to the gym to critique my workouts and to motivate me.

I'm shy, too, and I like to workout by myself so having a workout partner is not on my agenda right now...My workout hours are not consistent (due to my kid's schedules) and I do much better on my own, too.

 

[fl8meplz]

I wish I could find a training partner in Atlanta. I prefer to train alone most of the time, but on leg day it would be real helpful.

 

[lonewulf]

My gf and i train together. She is really hardcore and we make a perfect match. We push each other when we need to and leave each other alone at other times. Couldnt be better. I have trained alone plenty of times as well, and that has benefits too(faster pace).-WULF