Gain Weight With A Training Buddy
A training partner can increase the intensity of your workouts and you can gain weight more effectively. He or she can help you force out a few additional repetitions and motivate you to perform at your best. Picking the right partner is important. You need someone who arrives on time and is serious about his or her training. Once you find this person, try to make the relationship work. The mass gains that you both achieve will make it worthwhile.
Training with a buddy can recharge your workouts. While it is always important to be self-motivated, a buddy can reinforce your own drive and help you to achieve your goals. He or she can give you that extra push by creating a more positive training environment. When you both share the same muscle-building objectives, your personal energies can feed off one another's to create an even greater energy level. It's good to know that someone is there for you, especially when you are lifting heavy weights. Also, if your mind wanders or your intensity slackens, a buddy can provide support and encouragement, so you can gain weight easier.
A training partner can spot you when you need it. If you train by yourself, you are limited to the number of repetitions you can successfully complete without assistance. You may even need to stop short of the maximum number of reps due to safety factors. Athletes who perform barbell bench presses, for example, often have to hold back so they don't wind up with several hundred pounds of iron resting on their chests. A buddy can gently lift the weight while steadying the path of the barbell. He can also shout out motivational messages that will help you perform additional reps.
Make sure that your partner doesn't do too much of the work for you. He or she should lift up the bar or dumbbell just enough to let you complete the repetition. If he or she does more than this, he or she is actually robbing you of potential muscle gains. Your buddy is not psychic, however, any more than you are. Inform your partner when he or she spots you more than you need, and ask this person to do the same when it is your turn to spot. The combination of minimal spotting assistance and maximal motivational support will help both of you to gain weight.
It's important to pick the right buddy because it’s not easy to gain weight with a friend who is not good enough. You need to find someone who is punctual and driven to succeed. Nothing can be more frustrating than waiting for a partner who is habitually late. Of course, everyone is tardy once in a while because of traffic jams or unexpected emergencies. However, if this lateness occurs regularly, then your partner may be holding you back. When you arrive at the gym, you should be psyched for your workout and raring to go. If your buddy is unwilling or unable to stick to the schedule you have agreed on, try to find another partner who is more focused on progress.
You also need a buddy who can motivate you to excel. This does not necessarily mean that your partner is stronger than you are. You could both be at the same strength level or your buddy could even be less advanced in his training. The important thing is that you work well together. If your partner is more interested in chatting about last Saturday's party or yesterday's sports scores, he or she may actually drain you of motivation. Although socializing is an important aspect of life, now is not the time for it. It's important to keep your intensity level high so you can blast past your limitations. Your buddy should help you do this. If this partner doesn't, find a new one.
At the same time, you shouldn't ditch a partner just because he or she is late once or is occasionally in a chatty mood. As with all relationships, you need to show a bit of flexibility. This person may not be perfect as a training buddy, but you are probably not pure perfection yourself. Look at the benefits you are receiving and compare them to the negatives. If you sense a need for improvement, talk it over with your buddy. He or she may not realize what he or she is doing, and may appreciate a kind word of advice. Look for ways that you can help each other gain the muscle you are both looking for. It may take a while to reach an acceptable arrangement, but the shirt-stretching mass you both achieve will be the welcome prize.
So, if you want to gain weight effectively, train with your friend.
