Training Partner

[DarkLord]

I have never really had a training partner, but I do know is that you definately need to be along the same wave length of training as your partner. Who thinks that training partners are a waste of time and who feels they are essential for getting through really difficult times? I myself really can't answer this but maybe you can give me some ideas and opinions?

[Cort]

Never really had one person that I regularly lifted with. Its nice to have friends around the gym just to kill time between sets and bum spots from though.

I don't think you really need one unless you just need someone around who'll drag your ass into the gym when you're being lazy. Not usually an issue for me though since I like going so much :

[threenorns]

no question: workouts are a lot faster, a lot more intense, a lot safer, and just a lot more fun overall with a good training partner. i really don't like working out alone - no one to challenge me (i tend to be too cautious about pushing myself and there's a few exercises i just won't do without a spotter).

worst of all is working out alone in an empty gym.

[maverick]

I don't have a training partner perse, but I have people I regularly go to the gym with. Oddly enough, the guys I go with are a little intimidated by some of my workouts. Anyway, its nice to have a steady spotter you can trust and knows what you mean when you say "I want a forced rep" or "I want a 15 sec rest pause then another boost". Plus, every now and again they can get you psyched to finish out reps you wouldn't normally.

[threenorns]

exactly - another thing about a training partner you click well with: i usually have to ask strangers to spot me and they ALWAYS try to lift the bar for me.

one dude actually took the bar away from me because i got stuck halfway up a bench press - he said "i knew this was a crazy weight for you [125, i believe it was]" and literally ripped the bar out of my hands! good thing i don't juice or he'd've been sucking soup through a straw for a month, i was that angry!

[luke.w]

it's great to have a training partner who is much stronger than you, because you will be determined to try to catch up to him, BUT you also need the determination to train alone and still make progress.

My training partner isn't always with me, we pretty much have our own differant methods when we are together, and that is good that Dan dosen't try to push me on his routine, as my method of training seems to be catching up with him, and now HE'S got to work hard to stay ahead of me, as he's nearly 60-70lb heavier than me and stronger.

Me and my partner started at the same time so our exeriance is the same, so it would differant if you were training with an advanced person, but your interested would have to be identical.

I'm pretty much good to go by myself, BUT I do notice latley that when Dan is around I'm hitting my PR's with a little more determination.

[pseudonym]

Originally Posted by luke.w

...when Dan is around I'm hitting my PR's with a little more determination.

funny, I notice the same thing when a pretty girl is in the gym

[luke.w]

Originally Posted by pseudonym

funny, I notice the same thing when a pretty girl is in the gym

Yeah, but I rarley ever go to the gym, I train in my DUNGUN, or my backyard.
but yeah I do the same if a girl is walking her dog outside or if one is in the gym when I'm there.

[Firehawk]

I went from not having a training partner to having one or lots most of the time, and I think it makes a world of difference. For one, there's alot of things you can't do if you're alone but could do with a workout partner. For instance, you coudln't do board work (powerlifting) because you need someone to hand off weight to you that you otherwise couldn't unrack yourself.

Plus, there's always that feeling of safety and comfort when someone'st here to spot you. Then there's the motivation factors of course.

[PEPTgirl]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Then there's the motivation factors of course.

That, for me, is the best about a w/o partner. I make gains a hell of a lot faster with one. I used to workout with a friend, now it's my BF. Best part is when we come home and cook together afterwards.

[DarkLord]

I don't think you can disagree with this when I say that a good training partner should know your strengths and weaknesses and vice versa. Never get a lazy training partner, I've known many occasions down the gym when my mates friends haven't turned up. I think it's all about fueling each others workout.

[Shamrock]

I've been working out alone for about two years. I'm the no frills type in the gym though. No MP3 player, no ornate clothing, no chit chat just dedicated work. I can't stand listening to people shoot the breeze, or even worse, hitting on eachother.

On the flipside though I working with a trainer has a lot of potential. When I did my year long boxing stint I worked under the same trainer day in and day out week after week. So long as you are 100% confident in thier abilities its nice to take off the thinking cap and just do what they say. They push you harder and harder every day.

[mesomorph]

absolutely no doubt a good training partner can make a huge impact on the quality and quantity of your w/o. I essentially trained alone for 4 yrs. I felt I could plan my progs better as solo work afforded me more flexibility and variety than if I was working with someone else. But since I've started working with a partner I"ve made some big leaps in lifted weight and body size. We give each other confidence, encouragement and motivation when needed most - cold,wet nights when it would be easy to stay home and give training a miss or standing/lying under a bar preparing for a PB. There are a few negatives but only minor.

[arbit]

Originally Posted by threenorns

i was that angry!

She reely waz --- one of the best posts in her journal.

[threenorns]

<blush>