Disclaimer: Check with your doctor to see if you are in good enough health for physical exercise.  Try these ideas at your own risk.

Having a workout partner with these 11 qualities of a good workout partner makes all the difference in a successful workout plan!

But, finding a good one takes patience, and sometimes, luck.

Maybe you already have someone in your life who has all of these qualities, and the only road block is getting your schedules to mesh.

If you have someone you are compatible with as a workout partner, it’s worth it to make some sacrifices to make time to synch your schedules.

What are the most important qualities in a good workout partner? Here are  11 important qualities to look for:

---

1. You Like Them

You need to like this person you are going to spend lots of time with. Not all of your ideas and values need to be the same, but you will be spending quite a bit of time with them, and if you DON’T like them, you will stop going.

Like them enough to be able to spend an hour with them without wanting to leave.

The main point about liking your workout partner, is that you need to have someone next to your who you TRUST!! Maybe not trust to do your taxes or house-sit your condo, but to trust that they have your best exercise interest at heart.

If they have listened to your fitness goals, your level of commitment and what injuries or blocks you have, and they push you past those issues or physical limitations, the consequence can be severe. You need to LEAVE THAT WORKOUT PARTNER.

But, on the flip-side, if they listen and push you along the lines you described, then they call you out when you don’t show, KEEP THAT WORKOUT PARTNER!! That’s the type of person you want!

2. A Good Listener: A Great Quality to Find In Your Workout Partner

Being a good listener takes practice, so don’t be too picky, and be creative about communicating your fitness goals.

For example, you could write your goals down to make it crystal clear, and also to clarify what your expectations of your workout partner are. This also includes “what your expectation of your workout partner ARE NOT.”

For example, if you have a partner, or are looking for a workout buddy of the opposite sex, make it VERY CLEAR, if this exercise relationship is strictly about exercise without any possibility of dating or anything romantic or not. VERY CLEAR!

You also need to notice your own listening skills! Are you jumping to conclusions on what your partners fitness goals are? What type of listener are you?

3. A Good Attitude: A MUST for A Quality Workout Partner

Having a glass half full attitude really matters, especially when you are on your last few reps, you feel tired and you are a few minutes past the end the workout. If your partner is grumpy or has a habit of seeing the worst of things, it will be harder to reach your goals.

You want someone who will pull you in when you are standing there about to leave. When you are staring off, contemplating leaving the gym altogether, and leaning towards the door, you want your partner to grab you by the arm and get you going.

On the other hand, on the days where your partner is leaning towards the door, YOU need to be the positive motivation to pull them back in.

Even if you come back to workout, and you stay grumpy and negative, that can be terrible in a workout and ACTUALLY CAUSE INJURY from lack on focus!

Stay positive and choose a buddy who can do the same.

4. Find An Exercise Partner At A Similar Fitness Level

It seems more productive to find a partner who is MORE IN SHAPE than you, right?

But, what about them?? Are they looking for a workout partner who is LESS IN SHAPE than them??

Try to get as close in fitness level as you can. Have the difference not be too much between you, or it won’t last. OR, one person will try to catch up and could get injured.

Another problem with too much difference, is that the person in better shape can get bored and/or frustrated. There are BASICS about exercise, gym etiquette, form etc, that if you start too far apart, it doesn’t make the best match.

If you communicate the differences and both parties understand how it could play out, and are willing to make it work, that is awesome & possible.

5. They Are Motivated & Motivating

Choose a motivator, especially at first. Notice how excited they are about reaching their goals and doing so with you.

Going into a new workout plan with someone you need to drag along is the quickest way to kill your forward motion.

Keep in mind that not every person can be motivated all the time. And, this is where you need to pull up your bootstraps and be their motivator.

There is a give and take as a workout partner, that makes the partnership work.

Find a positive, energetic person who is able to motivate you.

6. A Grounded Workout Partner Is A Great Quality

What does it mean to be grounded? Why does being grounded matter for my workout partner.

Being grounded means that you are realistic in your thinking, and that your goals are reality based and you or your workout partner are not “in the clouds”.

A dreamer is great in some instances, which comes with creativity and variety, yet in a workout setting, a grounded partner “brings you back to earth”. You can’t loose 50 pounds this month. You can’t lift twice your maximum in a week. But, sometimes one those good workout days, it can feel like you can.

With a grounded workout partner, and when you can stand strong for logic and reality, you will keep each other on track with your goals without trying to reach them too soon.

7. Look For Someone Who is Coachable

A Coachable workout partner is a good quality.

What does it mean to be COACHABLE?? In sports, or music or in a work setting, “being coachable” is when you can take constructive criticism, or suggestions to heart, and try them. You do this without complaining or reacting negatively in any way. Instead, you embrace, encourage and are thankful for feedback.

When you and your workout partner are coachable with each other, you can say that your shoulder is rising or you foot is turned out, etc, without any reaction except to change your shoulder position or change your foot position.

Being coachable is great in ANY partnership and shows a lot of trust. Look for someone who can listen to your words with respect and genuinely listening and taking them seriously. For you, when your partner gives you a suggestion, thank them and try it—before you judge or make an opinion about their words.

This makes for a very productive partnership and helps you reach your goals AND feel good about your workout partner.

8. Find A Workout Partner Who Is Not Afraid to Be Honest With You

It’s not easy to speak the truth in our society of being nice most of the time.

“How are you?” Is a question we hear daily.

“I’m good,” we answer no matter HOW we feel.

Are you able to say the truth to your workout partner? And do you allow them to be real with you?

This makes all the difference. Allow them to be honest with you. How do you do that?? When they say something about your outfit, you being late, your goals not matching with your schedule, etc, when you “Allow” that, it means to listen without attacking them.

You get to decide how to respond to how your workout partner responds to your goals, form, outfits, etc.

When you snap back at them, or get irritated with their remarks, this does not make it safe for them to be honest with you.

You want a workout partner to tell you how it is NO MATTER HOW you respond to them. Then, in time, it’s easier for them to say it and easier for you to hear it.

And, when you are being real with their goals, outfit, being late, etc, say your truth no matter how they may respond and hold your ground.

Once this communication is established, and boundaries are found and honored, you can have the same workout partner for years.

9. Find A Workout Partner With Your Similar Schedule

This does seem obvious. But, you want a person you can count on to show up and who has a similar schedule that you have.
Timing is a big deal and can make or break the workout partner options you have.

Being reliable is a wonderful trait. Every person strives to be and probably sees themselves as reliable. But, words and actions aren’t always the same. Watch for it and take note.

10. Find A Fun Partner

When you have fun during a workout, or at least during parts of the workout, you are more likely to want to keep up with exercise.  They can be silly with you. 

Maybe it’s the music you and your workout partner listen to, or being playful during circuits, or dancing in between reps.

Together, you can laugh at the pain, make fun of each other, make light of the hard parts.  Just having some playful moments with someone makes it easier to get along.

Sarcasm is how we roll, so telling someone “You did 3 WHOLE pushups in a row???  Wow.  You should be so proud!!”  keeps the mood fun & light. 

11. Non Judgmental Is A Good Quality

Find someone who is accepting of where you are and where they are is a great quality in a workout partner.  

When someone is constantly talking about you or themselves in a negative manner, it is harder to focus.  

Having a non-judgmental partner, who is accepting of you as you are RIGHT NOW can can keep your negative thoughts away, and support your goals.  

If you feel judged by your partner, just walk away now, because that type of distraction can only lead to self doubt and then finding excuses NOT to meet your partner to workout.

Conclusion: Qualities Of A Good Workout Partner

There are qualities to look for when finding your workout partner.  You may not be able to find all of these traits in one person, but if you can, you will have a great partner indeed.  This article in Psychology Today talks about the Eight Traits of the Perfect Workout Partner.

What Qualities of a Good Workout Partner really matter?? Here are 9 that we thought of:

1.  You like them
2.  They are a Good Listener
3.  Good Attitude
4.  Similar Fitness Level
5.  Motivated & Motivating
6.  Grounded
7.  Coachable
8.  Not Afraid to Be Honest With You
9.  Reliable & Has The Same Schedule
10.  Fun
11.  Non Judgemental

Related:

• 9 Benefits of Having A Workout Partner
• Shoulder Stretches For Pain Relief
• Foam Rolling The Calves
• Foam Rolling To Relieve Knee Pain