Try Exercising With Friends
By Paul Rothbart
Regular exercise is vital to a healthy, productive, and happy life. When exercise is enjoyable, it's easier to stick to it. Exercising with one or more friends is a very effective way to make working out more fun. It adds a social component that can make you look forward to each session. You're less inclined to miss a workout when you have others depending on you. A group of friends can also motivate and encourage each other, helping to push through the tough days. No question, exercising in a group has many benefits. Here are some things to consider when choosing to exercise with friends.
Choose Friends You Enjoy Being With
You are going to be spending a lot of time with your exercise buddies, probably several days a week. Choose people whose company you enjoy and you get along well with. People who can stick to a commitment and help you do the same are ideal. You will develop a close bond with your workout partners.
Choose People at Similar Fitness Levels
This is more important than you may think. A big gap in levels of fitness will cause problems and may just make working out together impossible. For example, a group of runners at different levels will have a hard time maintaining the same pace. The more fit runners will feel like they are holding back and not getting a good enough workout. The less fit may try to push beyond their capabilities. This applies to any form of exercise. So be sure to choose a group right around the same level.
Decide on the Type of Exercise
Before beginning an exercise program, it's a good idea to get together and decide what type or types of exercise the group will be doing. It may be just one, running or walking, or perhaps multiple types of aerobic exercise. The focus could be on strength training. Cross training is another possibility. Make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what exercises will be performed and when.
Choose a Convenient Schedule
This is a very important consideration. People have different job schedules and familial and other obligations that affect availability. You are going to want to work out multiple days per week. It may be tricky and take some time, but plan a schedule that works for everyone involved. This way, you can all participate regularly and get the full benefit of exercise. This also allows the entire group to become excited in anticipation of the upcoming workout. That will increase the effectiveness and the enjoyment.
Working out regularly is healthy and rewarding. Doing it with like-minded friends can make it more effective and more fun.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Goodyear, Ariz.