How to Find the Right Workout Buddy


Does your workout buddy suck? Fire them!
 
The workout buddy scenario can be an incredible benefit to your fitness routine. First off, they help you stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals. Plus, a great buddy keeps you accountable and pushes you to that next level to achieve a sizzling, hot body.
 
But let’s be real: there is a good chance your buddy just plain sucks. And who’s paying the price? You, sucka.
 
Not sure if your buddy needs the boot? Let's make this easy...

Angela Parker’s Five Reasons You Should Break Up With Your Crap-tastic Workout Buddy
 
They are unreliable. They often (or even sometimes) show up late, reschedule, cancel or just flat out bail on your workouts.
 
They are not focused. You can hold a conversation for more than 25 percent of your workout. If you can talk that much, you are totally not working as hard as you could be. And you should really fire them if they try and talk about personal drama while working out. Come on! You are not their damn therapist.
 
You’re not seeing any results. Your fitness level and waistline are exactly the same as when you started meeting with your buddy. No bueno.
 
They don’t push you. You hold yourself back just so your buddy can keep up. Seriously, if you add in another workout later that same day just so you feel you "got enough in,” chances are this is not a working situation.
 
You dread it. You would rather go to the gyno and have a pelvic exam than meet your buddy for a workout. If you can actually see yourself in stirrups over your 3-mile run, then sister, I have news for you…
 
Breaking Up With Your Buddy

As with most relationships, it's hard to end them. It's even worse when you like the person. But it's important to remember that it’s not the person you are breaking up with — it's the workout buddy inside of them. Not every good-hearted friend is meant to be a workout buddy. Once you accept that, it makes it much easier to dump her ass and move on to someone else.
 
Let them down easy. Don't be a cold-hearted bitch about it. Tell them you’re not seeing results so you want to switch some things up.
 
The "It's not you, it's me” line works here. It's not their fault! You just need more. You need someone who will push you, challenge you, inspire you and help make your ass smaller.
 
Break off in style by being honest. Maybe they will step it up and you won't have to ditch them completely. Try this:
 
"I really want to see what I can do with my workouts and my body. I want to see just how hard I can push myself. Are you into that? It would mean we have to get serious and put a kibosh on the chatting."
 
See what happens. Maybe you both just need to apply some good ole' fashion communicating. Healthy communication is when two people talk to each other about what they need (you can google the word communication if it's not clear to you).
 
Suggest other ways you can “hang." However, let's face it, most shitty buddies just can't change. But what you can change is when you hang with this person. Try this:
 
"I love hanging out with you, but I think we would have a better time connecting if we meet for coffee or lunch and keep our workouts separate. Are you down to meet next Thursday for dinner at that place you mentioned?"
 
Way to go! Now move the eff on!
 
Well, now that you are single in the workout buddy arena, it's time to go shopping!
 

Five Tips on What to Look for In a New Buddy
 
Choose a buddy who…
 
likes to work hard. Make sure they share the same interests when it comes to their fitness goals and body issues. DO NOT choose someone because they have a sick body. That's lame. Choose someone who likes the way it feels when they work hard, and enjoys meeting their goals. By rocking your workouts with someone who thinks and feels like you, your workouts will be better and your results will be amazing.
 
sets goals. Look for someone who sets goals and has great follow through. The only way your fitness level and body will change is by setting goals. Stop working out and start training! Set goals as a team and make a plan to meet them. Follow through on that plan and watch what happens!
 
shakes it up. Seek out someone who is inventive, and has new ideas about how to shake up your routine. You want your buddy to bring it! To avoid getting bored and keeping your buddy system interesting, the key is new, fresh ideas. New ways to train. New routes to run. New classes to try. If you both are bringing the same level of excitement and creativity to the concrete, you will always be engaged and keep seeing results.
 
shares the same workout schedule. So simple yet the most important. With all the crap life throws at us, working out should be easy. You cannot compromise on this! By giving up sleep, proper nutrition and quality family time just to meet your buddy, you are not creating a balanced life. Don't worry. Your perfect buddy will have the perfect schedule for you. If they don't, they were not meant to be your buddy. (Maybe they’re a better shopping buddy?)
 
inspires you. Choose someone who inspires you to work at a "10" during every workout. When you arrive to your buddy workout, your eyes should light up and your heart should beat faster. Just being near that person should inspire you to want to kick-ass that day! After all, being inspired is what it's all about.
  
Want more fitness tips? Our newest member to the team, Angela Parker, will offer readers access to exclusive workout videos, tips on how to start a fitness program and how to keep fitness fun and affordable.


Angela Parker, Resident Fitness Guru
As the founder of bodyinspiredfitness.com, Angela believes that it’s possible for everyone to live a truly healthy, happy and vibrant life. She recently wrote and published her first book, 90–Days to a Stronger Body & Deeper Connection with Your Daughter, available exclusively on Amazon.com. Angela's unique at-home program encourages mothers to inspire their daughters (ages 7 to 18) to create a lifetime of being fit and healthy.This October, Angela will take on one of her biggest roles on the new MTV Show, "Chelsea Settles."