Working out with a friend can motivate you to keep fitness routine

Some days it might not be uncommon for you to feel like you’re dragging, leading you to consider skipping a workout. You might prefer to sleep in instead of mustering up the motivation to go and keep up with your routine. If you’re looking forward to seeing or meeting a buddy at your fitness center, it might be just what you need to get yourself up and out the door.

At the Pottstown Athletic Club in Pottstown, the social component of working out is very important. Fitness centers, in general, serve as community hubs where people often feel a special connection and sense of belonging. With 24-hour-7-day access at the Pottstown Athletic Club, many members meet up to work out at all times of day or night. The community culture of the Club is a big part of who they are.

“It might be the nurse who works overtime and can’t come until 2 in the morning and they all text each other to meet up and say, ‘Do you want to join me to do this workout?’,” said Rob Matthews, owner, and operator of the Pottstown Athletic Club since 1992.

Members become friends

Whether engaging in CrossFit, Olympic Weightlifting or dragon boat training, members often become friends through competing in the same sports. Matthews shared the multiple benefits they reap beyond the camaraderie and enhancing their social connections.

‘It’s all about the push — it’s friendly competition so it’s motivational,” he said. “Sometimes people just come at night to hang out.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, if you work out with a friend, you’re more likely to do three things that can work to your benefit toward reaching your workout goals: feel more motivated, be more adventurous and be more consistent.

Feeling more motivated

When it comes to feeling more motivated, you’ll work harder because you can encourage each other. Friendly competition can also work to your benefit in this case. In terms of being more adventurous, you might be more inclined to try new things if you have a buddy along with you. As for consistency, if a friend is counting on you to show up, you are more likely to stay accountable to your workout routine.

Buddying up for workouts, whether it’s a significant other, sibling or friend, can offer many benefits, but Matthews makes one thing very clear to members to ensure everyone’s comfort level at the Club.

“We are not match.com,” he said. “This isn’t a place for you to come and find a date.”

Mingle and talk

In addition to members meeting each other through doing a sport they love, the Pottstown Athletic Club offers a recovery program where individuals in recovery can receive six classes a week free of charge.

“They will socialize after the workout and are excited to mingle and talk and share experiences,” Matthews said. “The social component is a big thing here.”

For More Information

Pottstown Athletic Club

www.pottstownathleticclub.com