Exercising With Others

When it comes to exercise, peer pressure can be a good thing. Working out with friends and family is a great way to get motivated and stick to an exercise plan—by getting support from others, you can accomplish your exercise goals even faster. Via text message, study participants have talked about how they exercise with others. From hiking to golfing to going to the gym together, participants have found many ways to work out and fit in some social time. Here are some suggestions for getting started.

Find someone at a similar level

By exercising with a friend who is at a similar fitness level, you can ensure that both of you will be challenged enough, and that neither of you will be left in the dust. Additionally, try to find someone who has comparable exercise goals—this way, you can both push each other to achieve your personal goals.

Create a routine

One of the hardest parts about exercising with others is coordinating your schedules—work, family, and other social events can get in the way of your exercise routine. Try to establish a time every week when you exercise with a friend, and factor it into your schedule.

Try something new

Next time you get together with friends, try something active. Golfing and walking the course is a great way to exercise (especially if you walk briskly) and socialize at the same time. You could also sign up for an exercise class—it may seem daunting to try a new class by yourself, so going with a friend can provide support.

Next time you’re planning to exercise, ask a friend or family member if they want to join. And let us know how you’re doing via text message!