YOUR BUDDY’S REASONS for exercising may be the problem.
Impulsive gym goers are most often motivated by feelings of pressure, guilt, or shame about their bodies, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research reports. If those thoughts plague him, it’s going to be tough for him to stay consistent.
“The gym should be seen as a thing of value, not a chore or punishment,” says study author Dave Keatley, Ph.D. If your pal’s impetus to work out is negative (“I look awful”), not positive (“I’m doing something great!”), you may need a new partner.
Don’t discredit the benefits of having a gym buddy, though. He or she can be your key to exercising more, staying motivated, and furthering gains.