Buddy Up for These Competitive Partner Workouts

Have you ever made it to the gym, only to find yourself simply going through the motions? Your workout called for high-intensity moves, but each time you attempted the exercises, your body felt heavy and sluggish?

Some days we just aren’t “feeling it,” and though that’s perfectly fine every once in a while, our fitness can suffer over time if it becomes a regular problem.

So how do you increase your motivation? A workout buddy is a great place to start.

Having someone to train alongside you can light a competitive fire, spark endorphins and get you in the right frame of mind—plus, you’ll have the ultimate accountability for those early-morning gym sessions.

Try these partner workouts and you may never want to work out solo again.

Workout A: Same Time, Same Exercises

This is a great, time-efficient workout that can be done with little equipment. In this example, group three movements—squat, pull-up and knee tucks—into a circuit-style workout and complete five sets, with 10 reps each. Track your overall time so you can monitor progress.

Workout B: One Works, One Rests

This one is a great finisher to a workout. Grab a partner, something heavy and a piece of cardio equipment. In this example, we used two kettlebells and a bike. While one-person bikes, the other holds two kettlebells up in the rack position. Once 20 calories are completed on the bike, you switch. As your partner holds the weights, you’ll be motivated to finish as quickly as possible. Complete three rounds total.

About the Author

Doug Balzarini, CSCS, MMA-CC

Doug Balzarini, CSCS, MMA-CC, is a fitness professional and the founder of DB Strength in San Diego. He is also the head strength and conditioning coach for Alliance Training Center where he works with many top professional MMA athletes. Visit www.dbstrength.com for more information.

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