5 Essential Characteristics of a Good Training Partner

People often ask where the motivation comes from to be consistent with my yearly training regimen. Primarily, I would say that you have to enjoy training. That’s the only way that you will ever be committed for the long haul. There are numerous ways to train the body and improve your level of fitness. You just have to find out what modality interests you. Some of the training options out there go from yoga, to spin, to hardcore power-lifting, Olympic weightlifting and bodybuilding, just to list a few. As a fitness professional, I know that not everyone wants to be in a smelly gym for up to 10 hours a week. I would recommend that one always be intuitive enough that he or she never has to rely on a training partner to reach his or her goals. Although, for the individual who is trying to stay committed to healthy living, a partner could be the answer. This is not to say that you need a gym partner. In fact, I believe that if you don’t have a training partner who demonstrates the following traits, you are much better off to train alone. However, a good training partner could be the answer for those who are looking for a little motivation. Here are a few of the characteristics that I have found to be critical in finding the right partner for your fitness journey.

Unselfishness – You are both part of a team. When you reach a goal it’s just as much your training partner’s accomplishment as it is yours. You need to have someone in your corner who understands that. There will be things that your partner is better at than you are and vice versa. It’s important to identify each other’s strengths and weaknesses up front so that you can both develop a comprehensive fitness regimen. 

Dependable – Dependability is very important simply because without consistency there will be little to no progress. You need to have a partner who is ready to train at dates, times, and locations that have been predetermined so that there is no confusion. 

Encouraging – We all have days when we don’t want to be there. Maybe we didn’t get adequate rest the night before. Maybe our caloric intake is down. Maybe you’re going through a stressful time in your life. Whatever it is, your training partner should be someone who leads by example, utilizing both verbal and nonverbal cues to provide encouragement.

Honest – If you’re someone who can’t stand criticism, buy a puppy. Training is all about improving. In order to get better, you have to know what you’re doing wrong. You and your partner should be dedicated enough to educate yourselves on training technique so that you can critique each other’s form and push one another when needed. Just be sure that the critiques are coming from a positive person who wants to see you succeed.

Focused – The person that you choose to join you on your fitness journey needs to understand the value of your time in the gym. If you want to make gains, you have to train with intensity. Intensity requires tremendous focus which means no time for distractions. Save the “side talk” for before or after you train, not during.

One other thing, it would be wise to train with no more than two other people. The old saying, “Too many cooks will spoil the broth” rings true in fitness. Outside of a group fitness session, having too many partners is counterproductive to the intensity that you need to sustain in order to get the greatest benefit from your training. Intensity is all about being laser focused as you achieve as much as you can within a certain timeframe. Once you’ve identified one or two partners who fit the aforementioned traits, politely tell others who inquire about “joining in” that there is simply no room. It may sound harsh but you’ll likely have to deliver the message to more than one person. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Finding a solid partner is not easy. Everyone’s goals are different and, most importantly, so is everyone’s motivation. Implement these points when you are looking for the right training partner and you will be glad that you did. 

Until next time,

Stay Strong!