TRAINING PARTNER

[gino]

How many of you have a training partner? I've been working out alone for almost a year now and I don't mind it. I find that most of my friends in the gym like to work their jaw as much as the muscles they should be working. I prefer not to talk until the workout is over. I don't like people when I'm in the gym. I do miss working out with my most recent partner, though. He had the same mentality as I do. Aside from encouragement during a set, we would rarely speak more than a word or two to eachother during the hour in the gym. It was very motivating knowing that there was someone there with me as serious about working out as I was. During our first workout I knew he was going to be a great workout partner when after he finished a strict set of curls with 85 lb dumbells, I heard him mumble "f*ck everybody." We took care of business, and saved the small talk for when we got home.

On the lighter side, I was out at a club on friday night and my roommate introduced me to a girl that works out at our gym. She was saying how she always sees me at the gym but never dared to come talk to me because I always looked so serious. I said "Well, in the gym I always am serious, so thank you for not talking to me." The look on her face was classic. She WAS beautiful though, so I danced and talked with her all night...well, until my girlfriend showed up. hehehee

[kat]

Havent changed a bit have you doll?? LOL...
No partner for me, but my buddy wants me to be his partner..no idea why..not like I can help him when hes curling 145 lbs with one arm. What the hell am I supposed to do? Yell for helP?...he thinks I can make his abs look like mine...ummm..yeah. You weigh 150 lbs more than me...what do I look like, wonder woman?

On a serious note though...sometimes I wish I had one cause theres been a couple of times Ive almost hurt myself badly, but Im such a loner Id prolly hate having to be nice when all I want to do is tear the place apart.

[Paul Stagg]

I train alone, and I like it.

I do miss having a partner occasionally.

[Joe Black]

interesting that you posted this right now :) I am working out with a friend tonight !

I am too used to working alone.. I just call people in the gym for a spot and get on with what i gotta do..

LOL not many people in my gym, squat, dead, and chin every week.. I once trained with this guy, we did chest and back.. We did bench together and after I go right lets do dumbell press and some dips.. He said I will join you later as I always do flyes and crossovers.. We never trained again ! LOL

But a good friend of mine is a personal trainer and he trains at the gym he works at.. Not that good though more of a hotel.. But he is training with me legs tonight at MY gym.. we are not gonna train together just now and again.. Should be fun..

I think all in all I prefer to work by myself :)

[Go Stars]

I somewhat have a workout partner. My roomate started working out about 2-3 months ago and we still sometimes go to the gym together. But he has no clue and will not take any advice that I share with him.

He does 30 min of cardio BEFORE hitting the weights. By that time I am halfway finished. He will sometimes go early so by the time I get there we will be on same schedule. He is into the "toning" mentality. He does VERY light weight with high reps. He also does db flat bench after we do bb flat bench together. He will not do squats or even lunges. He does mostly machine weights even though the is aware of stablizer muscles.

After my friend and I tell him what and why the changes he needs to make he just responds, "I'm ok". He even meets with a trainer at our gym once a week.

He also eats 3 Chalupa's and a Burrito Supreme about twice a week among other foods. But every monday in the locker room he weighs himself and doesnt understand why he is not losing weight.

[FrickenHuge]

I agree,
It's one thing to have a training partner, and it's yet another to have one that understands you. The guy thats has been lifting with me for the past while (year or so) is someone I can trust, we feed off each other’s energy. There seems to be an unspoken understanding, meaning he knows the right time to spot, how to spot and how much to spot without my input. We can read each other.
We've both been awarded amazing gains from our efforts. It's hard to find one that's loyal and committed. He has never missed a workout yet. Not easy to find someone like that.
Oh yeah, and he works roughly around the same weight as me.

FH

[Go Stars]

I forgot about that one...it can get frustrating when you have to take off ALL of the weight from bb and put his on and vice versa.

[Shadowman]

Training at my own at the moment but I can see the benifits of both ways. I do prefer it alone though, far too many distractions when you're training with someone else, 'cept the spotting thing but it's no hassle to call someone over for a set.

[Sxy SnowWhite]

I tend to be always smiling and happy...it's just who I am...but at the gym I want total concentration...I don't like to talk during my cardio...because of my lungs I already have a hard enough time breathing...But my workout partner knows me ...she knows to not expect me to talk during cardio and she knows how to **** me off to make me work harder on the weights...I'd stop after my reps...but not with her..she doesn't say a word ...increases my weights and makes me go til I can't anymore...she's perfect...if I lost her I would go back to doing it alone...

[Sinep]

I train alone. Good partners are hard to find, I hate having to do my rowing on chest day when spotting a guy on the bench at the 2nd rep! If you can't handle it alone for at least 4 reps, don't handle it at all. The attitude, I know some like to get 'bad boy' attitude when training and look really aggressive but this is not me and we're not going to war, you're going to play with steel. Encouragement, no yelling.. and no need to remind me that I'm doing it for the golden pus*y who's running on the treadmill back there. Spot, 'Its all you', YEAH, I KNOW ITS ALL ME, THATS WHY THE BAR IS ON MY NECK!! Final word, to train with intensity is to train like a Sinep would.

[Bam Bam]

ive been workin out alone but lately a few guys wnat to work out with me i picked the guy that has the shcedule closest to mine but im not sure if i like the idea or not he did save my ass saturday on close grip bench press

[Anthony]

I normally train alone, but have been training with my gf lately. I spot her when she needs it, and she doesn't speak during my sets. Works out well.

[gflexx]

I also workout alone. Training partners are good but i only use them when i go real heavy. In that case i'll call my bro. He feels the same way about this, we only use them for spots when needed.

[Franco]

I have always trained on my own and hardly ever ask for a spot. I am very serious in the gym and hardl talk to anyone and i give it my all and bust my ass even if im not feeling up to it.

When I go to the gym the only people that are really there are o.a.p's and lankyy kids that spend about 2 hours on the treadmill.

[BIG_DONNIE_BRASCO]

Hey Gino you skinny biatch!!

How goes the Iron battle!? I decided to bulk up a bit more before shreddin out for the summer! I hit 200 lbs this am I'm about 10% fat, still THICK for 5'10" ! and stronger than EVER!

BIG D (bigger'n ever)

[gino]

I'm going to start creeping up in weight a little, too. I'd like to put on about 5 lbs of lbm. It'll take a while though considering I don't want to increase my fat %.

[Albert]

Workout Partners are better left for beginners or for Cardio-only routines. If you are serious, you have your own routine (based on your own personal feedback) personalized for lagging bodyparts, plateau avoidance, strength goals,etc. Anyone willing to go along with your routine all the time isn't at your level and will probably hold you back. Also, when you're in a groove, you want to have your own preworkout routine and distractions kill 'ya. As for me, I am too amped and focused to have a conversation with anyone, other than to ask for a spot.
Here's a tip for bringing along your significant other, or friend who keeps asking you how you got the way you did: Put together a workout for them or point them to Body for Life, and go the gym together, but make it clear you don't like distractions. Then you always have someone who can spot you in a pinch, and you can occasionally give them advice on how to do a SLDL, hammer curl, gym ettiquite, ect.
Maybe do your cardio together and have a post workout shake together. Then if you break up or the friend herniates a disk, no big deal.

[Maki Riddington]

I find that someone who is bigger and stronger works for me as a partrner,of course they need to have the mentality Big Gino was talking about.

[Behemouth]

i am in the same boat as FH my partner is also my best friend. we have been friends for ever and we understand each other perfect in the gym. its like we both think with one brain. so i definatly like workin out with a spotter more if its the right one

[Chris Rodgers]

I train alone, but occasionally a buddy will train with me or I'll tarin with my sister. It's hard to find someone with similar goals and strength levels and who has the same schedule as you. I'll hopefully be getting together with beercan next week and be able to show him what this little guy is made of!

[IBLiftin]

I train with my GF all the time. She knows how to spot me perfectly. Plus when i don't feel up to par, she'll throw in a sarcastic comment like look, that 200lb guy is bigger then you babe, lol. Or soemthing to that efect. Of course, staring at a pair of 36 c's aren't bad for motovation either, lol.

[Donut]

I've done both for a while. Honestly I like lifting by myself because I don't have to yap as much and just do what I need to do. I won't have someone telling me to get on with it when it's my workout. However, I do like having someone who can consistently spot me the way I want to be spotted.

If I go alone, I'll be in and out within 40 to 50 minutes. In addition I don't have to worry about convincing my partner to do cardio after the work out if I lift alone.

On the other hand. If I do workout with someone else, it's hopefully with someone bigger and with more experience. I keep quite and do what I'm told and adjust when I'm doing something. Other than those times, I'm on my own. Working out alone is better for your personal gains I think.

Take care guys. This is a great site. Thanks again Hulk.

Cheers!
al

[Chris Rodgers]

Donut's training partner is coffee! Hehe

[Mystic Eric]

i don't really care if there's a training partner or not. i usually have one, but if we can't go at the same time, i'll go myself. either way, i'll have an intense work out. i might talk a bit more between sets with a partner, but when the set comes along, i'm all seroius. i like my training partner 'casue he knows how to spot. most guys in the gym have no idea. they either help too much, or don't help at all. but working out by yourself is great. i like having the lonely feeling. it helps me focus.

[Cackerot69]

i've done both.

i hate when people watch me lift, drives me crazy.

so, no training partner for me.

[Donut]

Yes LatMan, my patner is coffee. She's got a little of Almond and Chocolata in her. She's a good mix :)

Cheers boys&girls!
al

[YatesNightBlade]

I think both are fine ..... but I need to get use to one or the other. It ****es me off when your expecting to train with someone and they don't turn up or there 30mins late.

You do get used to training by yourself and they are some benefits to it as you can always stay in a positive mental state. I know Shawn Ray prefers to train alone.

I have a good partner at the moment and we don't speak that much whilst training.

[Frankster]

I find it hard to have a partner that trains the same way im doin right now. Im training 3 times a week. Plus i like to change often, if i feel like it , ill train 4 or 5 time a week or just two, watever my body tells me. Not everybody wants to folow a nut like me :) just sinep, but hes too far :( come back man.

[Sinep]

Frankster: yop, the good old days :(
I think you'll be happy to hear that I've started working on tuna-breath again.

[DixieChick]

When it comes to workout partners I'm picky... I perfer male workout partners. :D

My former workout partner is back, so right now I have someone to workout with. I've worked out alone too, and I have certain people who spot me when I'm on my own. I would rather workout alone than to have a partner who is not compatible.

[Pup]

When I am home I have two guys that i train with, we get loud and crazy and that is just the way i like it. I like to scream and play loud music, most of the older people in the gym get ****ed at us, but oh well. When I'm at school there is this one guy that trains w/me off and on but he's starting to get in the swing of things.

[Sinep]

Pup, I think it's ok to scream a little when there's something to scream about. But when I see people screaming like crazy because he think he's lifting heavy and want everybody to know, I then go and do the same weight with perfect form and without screaming. I think they get the message :)

[Adam]

when i first started training i didn't have a training partner and it wasn't to bad, but now i have one and we trainin together for a while now and i like it.Havin a good partner that knows your limits is always good.

[Teebone]

I prefer alone for now. I do believe a training partner can be better, but its finding that partner is the hard part. Its hard for me to keep focus and intensity if the training partner is on the 'same level'.

[MixmasterNash]

<awe>Holy mother of bumpage.</awe>

[Nights]

Started off alone. Liked it. Trained my brother and got him as a workout partner. We both don't say much when we workout and there is definitely a bit of playing off one another going on. If he goes up in weight, I have to keep going up too. Also, he's a reason not to slack. If I gotta go with him, then there's no way I'm not showing up.

Then again, I've worked out alone when he took off for a while to workout at a different gym, or at times when our schedules don't mesh. I like that as well. Just you and the weights and nothing to distract you.

Hard to say which I like more.

[bill]

I wish I had a training partner boo hoo. It is nice if you find someone good. And if they are a little stronger it can really motivate one. I don't like working out with someone that i have to take a lot wt. off for. or feel like i need to go easy because they are new.

[Max-Mex]

Never had one. I'm a gym loner.

[Beast]

I only miss having a partner when I am doing pressing movements, where a spotter would be helpful.

[ectx]

My training partner's a real tool. :p

[Focused70]

Haven't had one yet.

I can see the benefits of both though.

Stash

[Teufelhund]

My training partner's a real tool. :p

I wasn't going to say anything, but so is mine!

Here's an idea: let's swap partners. Then the two tools can workout together and us two cool guys can work out together. :scratch:

[ectx]

Sounds like a plan. Just want to check one thing...you can add the correct amount of weight when you add it to the bar can't you? *snicker*

[Teufelhund]

I've decided that wasn't my fault. I just wasn't aware of the level at which you were pussing out over on your side of the bar. ;) That and I was still trying to figure out where I was after my last set.

[Jonno]

I train alone, and I like it.

I do miss having a partner occasionally.

[BHerks]

i lift with my brothers and we lift with the same mentality/intensity, which is, we all wanna get BIG (im the smallest of 3, @230)...ive always had somone to lift with since the beginning, so i hate training w/o a partner. i like to go to failure on basically every set i do and w/o a partner id probably be dead now.

[-TIM-]

...She WAS beautiful though, so I danced and talked with her all night...well, until my girlfriend showed up. hehehee

All good things must come to an end :nod:

I like lifting by myself. I've lifted with friends at times but found that they weren't doing squats or deads or other compound lifts and didn't want to start. I guess if I found a partner that was willing or interested in trying a routine at least close to what I've developed, then I would enjoy it. At times it would be nice to have ideas to bounce off a partner or have them check your form and give you tips. As far as needing a spotter, I usually ask someone at the gym and they're happy to help.

[Tryska]

*sigh*


what happened to all these folks?

[rapidshoter]

I have a training partner but we arn't at the same level ....... he has a totally different routine, and tends to work his shoulder every workout.

I used to have another training partner who does a full body workout x3 a week and does not consume enough food ... i recommended him to this site, but i still don't think he's in tune.

[ace dogg]

No training partner. Friend wanted to but I am an introvert...much prefer lifting alone.