Working out with a partner

ELIZABETH NIDER

How many reasons are there for why people do not exercise? Too many to list, but lack of time, motivation and knowledge are three common barriers to starting and continuing an exercise program.

Exercising with a workout partner can sometimes be the key to sticking with a routine and staying on track but, before choosing just anyone, it’s important to keep in mind a few guidelines on finding a good match.

Opt for someone with similar goals, so that you can have a matching workout, but not someone with whom you feel competitive, as this can be stressful when comparing accomplishments and results. Once a companion has been found, choose at least two days per week to exercise together and at least one more day to exercise on your own. Once the routine is established, it is both normal and expected that someone will have to miss a workout here and there, so try to also choose a “back-up” workout day, which will help both partners stay on track.

Exercising with a partner in and of itself can be enough motivation for some, but for those who are either new to exercise, bored with their current program or aren’t seeing any results, working with a personal trainer can be quite advantageous.

The cost of hiring a personal trainer can be a deterrent, but here, too, working with a partner can help, in that you can split the fees. Not only is this a way to have a personal workout plan and work on personal goals and see results without the usual cost of hiring a trainer, it’s also more enjoyable to have a friend going through the same “torture.” Workout partners can support each other during the sessions with the trainer, as well as during their homework workouts (most trainers give homework to do between each training session).

Another perk to partner training is that usually participants are more motivated to complete their assigned workout homework, since they have both a friend and a trainer to hold them accountable, which increases the likelihood of sticking with a consistent workout program.

Both partners should be involved in choosing the trainer and should meet with the trainer before starting, to ensure that everyone is compatible. The workout pair needs to decide how often they wish to meet the trainer, and where. Personal trainers can either train in a gym or come to their client’s home. An advantage to the home visit is that the clients have at least one less excuse, like “I am not it the mood to drive to the gym,” at their disposal. As well, home workouts often can be replicated on vacation, which is another time when people can slip off the workout wagon.

A trainer will create an efficient program that will save time by excluding typical time-wasters and including exercises that are most effective. In addition, having a professional present during the workout can ensure that the exercises are completed properly and safely because he or she will give objective and knowledgeable feedback. For novice exercisers, this is clearly valuable, but there are also experienced exercisers who are not aware that they have been performing an exercise incorrectly, thereby causing discomfort or even injury. Most commonly this occurs when the abdominals are not used properly, and back injuries result. In addition, experienced exercisers may not be tuned in to their limitations, and might throw in the towel before they have actually reached their maximum potential and a trainer can push them just that little bit farther.

Before hiring a personal trainer, do your research. Make sure that the trainer is certified by a reputable organization, such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE) or British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), has current CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and first-aid certifications and is insured. Ask the trainer some questions, such as what their policies are regarding cancellations, rescheduling, pricing, etc. Depending on the client, it may be useful to seek out a trainer with extra qualifications. There are trainers specializing in cardiac rehabilitation, injury rehabilitation, osteofit, pre- and postnatal fitness, sport-specific training and more. To become a certified personal trainer in British Columbia, there is no requirement to have a degree in kinesiology or human kinetics, but many trainers have taken this extra qualification and, consequently, have more expertise.

Elizabeth Nider has a degree in human kinetics and is a BCRPA-certified personal trainer and pre- and postnatal fitness specialist. She can be reached at [email protected].

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