Finding the motivation to work out regularly can be tough, which is probably why statistics show that 80 percent of American adults don’t get the recommended amount of exercise. One of the best ways to increase your consistency and motivation is to find a friend to exercise with you.
Here are a few reasons it’s a good idea to find a workout buddy:
1. It’s more fun exercising with a friend
If you have someone to laugh with as you work out, you’ll have more positive emotions related to working out and you’ll look forward to your workouts. A key element in forming any lifestyle habit is – you guessed it – fun. It’s always more enjoyable to share common goals with a friend.
2. You can build new friendships
Exercising with someone you don’t know well provides an opportunity to build a new friendship. You’ll be starting with a shared interest – improving your health – which can make it easier to chat about other things as you work out.
3. You’re more likely to stick to your commitment
If you’ve arranged to meet a friend to Oxycise together, you’re more likely to keep that commitment. Not wanting to let your friend or exercise partner down can be a great motivator to show up. On those days when you don’t feel like exercising, a pep talk from your workout buddy might be just the lift you need.
And as it becomes routine, perhaps after a few weeks, you’ll both find it less challenging and will more likely stick to your commitment long-term.
4. You’re more likely to succeed in your goal
The added accountability, competition and fun that friends bring to exercise will keep you motivated. In fact, research has found that people are more likely to lose weight if their exercise buddy is losing weight. Bonus!
5. You’ll work harder with someone else around
When you exercise with a friend who’s around the same fitness level as you, you’re more likely to encourage each other and to push a little harder than you might do on your own.
6. You’ll have someone to celebrate with
Working together toward a common goal can help you both have something to look forward to celebrating. If we can enjoy our successes with others, it goes back to the idea of making things fun, and achieving a goal you and a friend have set your minds to can be a big motivator to keep going – and it’ll strengthen your friendship, too.
Working out together is a great way to spend time with friends who you’ve lost touch with or go months without seeing. Instead of letting your busy lives get in the way of bonding time, set up a weekly Oxycise date together to stay fit while you catch up.
Share a photo of yourself in you and your friend on our Facebook page, our private Facebook group, or by emailing* us to get a bonus entry into the drawing for prizes.
*By emailing your photo for the challenge, you are agreeing that it may be posted on our website or shared with our newsletter readers.
Weekly bonus challenge coming up…
Week 6: Share a picture of yourself Oxycising in a Halloween costume.
