Bodybuilding is a hobby that requires significant weight training discipline and consistency, and many feel that having a partner with similar goals can increase mental focus and enhance the effectiveness of each weight lifting workout. This theory is true for many, but there are also some who actually find that solo weight training workout sessions provide an environment for superior consistency and dedication when compared with relying upon a weight lifting workout partner. In fact, surprisingly to many, there are those who feel that weight training partners are detrimental to long term consistency, and are able to achieve far better muscle building or fat loss progress alone, without the benefit of a weight training companion.
Despite certain bodybuilders experiencing a desire to train with a partner, locating a man or woman who has a comparable schedule and who adopts a desire to attend on the agreed upon time each week is a difficult task. Even when locating a prospective candidate, in a world where we all seem to experience agenda conflicts regardless of how well intentioned we may be, two seemingly synchronized bodybuilders are likely to conflict with one another. In addition, many bodybuilders have their own individual weight training time preference, with some feeling more energized in the morning hours, prior to beginning their work day, and others feeling far more capable of pursuing an intense weight lifting session during afternoon or evening hours. This disparity naturally makes finding another bodybuilder with identical preferences cumbersome.
In addition to the likelihood of scheduling conflicts, a set of similar goals is required, meaning that a bodybuilder who wishes to achieve massive muscle gain cannot comfortably train with one who seeks fat loss and tone, as the two are performing different routines. Although, technically, both could train at the same time, because they are performing different types of workout sessions, motivating one another without wasting a large amount of time bouncing between different weights and exercises becomes difficult, and before long, the two will find that they experience far more focus and efficiency when training alone.
Even if two bodybuilders have the exact same muscle building goals, the amount of weight used in each exercise will likely differ, sometimes dramatically, and the two bodybuilding partners will feel as if they are swapping free weights on the bars more frequently than they are actually training their muscles, leading to excessive workout length. Weight training workouts can become mentally grueling when distractions begin to monopolize gym time, and making drastic workout weight changes each set is a quick way for any bodybuilder to become disgruntled with the time required to complete each weight lifting session.
Another roadblock towards finding the ideal training partner is workout pacing, as some wish to rush through a weight lifting session seemingly at the speed of light, while others feel far more comfortable with longer rest periods. This will create a significant pacing conflict, and considering that intense weight training is sufficiently difficult to endure when all environmental variables are perfect, just imagine when a weight training partner decides that he or she wishes to execute a workout at a speed which you personally despise! In such a scenario, the weight lifting session will become unnecessarily stressful, and the two partners will try to find a way to relinquish the obligation to train together in order to preserve sanity.
Lastly, regardless of how dedicated two may be towards achieving muscle building or fat loss, the chances are extremely high that idle chatter will occur between sets, extending rest time, and the workout itself, far beyond what is necessary. Amazingly, two friends can discuss a topic between sets and allow a time period that seemingly feels insignificant to reach several minutes, and the lengthy workout sessions that result are notorious for sapping motivation and desire to train.
I personally am one who has always performed my weight lifting workout sessions alone, and have found this to be the most effective method for my personality and individual preferences, but during the few times I have trained together with either one partner or a group, I cannot recall any individual ever returning to train with me for a second time, and those particular workouts with partners were, for me, far less intense than when I am able to train alone, without distractions, at my own pace, with the music I enjoy, and without conversation that extends workout length beyond reasonable levels.
Francesco Castano authors the www.MuscleNOW.com web site, which is a bodybuilding routine for muscle building without supplements or drugs. He also owns the www.IncrediBody.com online fitness superstore selling fitness equipment at the guaranteed lowest prices.
