• Mail

Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness

  • Programs
    • Programs and Services
    • Fitness
    • Individualized Coaching
    • Online Programs
    • Business Coaching
    • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Free!
    • Recipes
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Video
    • My Favorite Things
  • About
  • Contact

Blog - Latest News

You are here: Home » Exercise » Finding an Exercise Buddy: Resources for Extra Support and Motivation

Finding an Exercise Buddy: Resources for Extra Support and Motivation

February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009

I used to do all of my fitness solo. This was in part to not knowing anyone who was interested in exercise and being concerned about others being too fit or too unfit to be a suitable partner while I was training. Regular group exercise (outside a gym environment) did not come to me until I joined Always Running in college. Having a group of people expecting my presence made a radical difference in my consistency, progress, and motivation. I formed lasting friendships, shared resources and experiences, and had great adventures on the trails with others. I could get all geeky about anatomy, sweat, exercise, and running shoes and they would respond with equal enthusiasm. Sharing successes and setbacks were received with understanding and encouragement. My family doesn’t quite get what it means to qualify for Boston, but my running buddies sure do!

Exercising with others is a powerful way to develop a foundation of support for your fitness goals. Long after your trainer has switched gyms or retired, your exercise buddy will be there to share in your sweat, boost you up after defeat, and cheer you to the finish line.

The internet has allowed for an abundance of options in finding others with similar goals, exercise availability, and support. You can connect locally and find someone to drag you out of bed (or drag out of bed) for a morning hike every Saturday or connect virtually with someone across the country who has the same desire to lower his cholesterol by 50 points or complete a race a month for the next year. Below are some great resources to check out.

  • Meet-up.com: Meet-up is a great source for free activities of all kinds – hiking, cycling, triathlete training, tennis, running, and more! Search for your desired activity and attend an outing in your area.
  • SparkPeople: Spark People has launched regional groups for fitness and nutrition goal support. It is also a great resource for nutrition and exercise information and a place to keep track of your personal goals.
  • Post a request on your gym bulletin board for someone to lift weights or do cardio with.  If you enjoy each other’s company, outdoor off-site activities can be arranged.
  • Exercisefriends.com: a site specifically for finding an exercise partner by age, activity, and location.
  • Speak up in your existing class or group – always see the same people in your Yoga  or Spin class? Strike up a conversation and make a friendship. People are often very excited to connect with others.
  • Visit your local running store or athletic store and ask about group activities. Road Runner Sports and other local running shoe stores often host running groups. Title Nine has been known to hold rowing groups, hiking groups, and women’s soccer groups. Lululemon often holds yoga in the store during off hours. Visit your local fitness store and inquire about what is available, or be pro-active and start one with their support!

Have you utilized any of the above resources or found any others which have worked well for you? Comment below on where you have gone for extra support and how it has helped you out!

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Need quick and easy ways to get healthy meals on the table? Get my guide, "5 Ways to 5 a Day in 15 Minutes or Less" to boost your health without resorting to boring salads or smoothies!

Gimme the Guide!
johnsmith@example.com
John
Smith
1 Comment/in Exercise, Fitness, LocalActivity, Motivation /by Aimee
1 reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Finding an Exercise Buddy: Resources for Extra Support and … | www.definitionfitness.ca says:
    February 5, 2009 at 11:57 am

    […] the original post: Finding an Exercise Buddy: Resources for Extra Support and … Share and […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Followon Twitter

Recent Comments

  • recipeprepare on Fun Ways to Enjoy Leftover Easter Eggs
  • Gnar on Timeless Advice: Chew Your Food
  • Shane on Playground Workout
  • Enrique Pasion on Bee-ing Mindful of our Pollinators
  • Aimee Gallo, Vibrance Nutrition on Blasphemous Thoughts on Sports Nutrition

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
← Got the Winter Blues? Nourishing Ideas for Seasonal Affective Disorder (previous entry)
(next entry) Boost Your Winter Workout for Extra Weight Loss →

Site Map

  • About
    • What is Functional Nutrition?
  • Blog
    • Take this Quiz: How Healthy Am I?
    • Tasty Sunshine Inspired Recipes!
  • Contact Us
    • Looking For an Inspiring Podcast Guest? Let’s Chat!
  • 30 Days to Glorious Greens Cookbook
  • 5 Ways To 5 a Day
  • A Few of My Favorite Things
  • About Us
  • Are You Getting Enough Vegetables?
  • Examine Your Poops: The Bristol Stool Chart
  • Fitness
  • Glorious Goodies for You!
  • Holistic Business Coaching
  • Individualized Coaching
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Online Programs
    • 10 Weeks to a Healthier You!
    • 30 Day of Glorious Greens Challenge
      • Thank You for Believing in Greens!
    • 30 Days to Conquer Cravings
    • I’m thrilled you are joining the Daily Greens Challenge!
    • The Lean Living Lifestyle Program
    • Vibrant Veggies: A New Program offered by VIBRANCE.
    • You’re In!
  • Programs and Services
    • Congratulations!
  • Reasons You Aren’t Losing Weight.
  • Recipes
  • Testimonials
  • Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness Privacy Policy
  • Video

search

blog by topic

A Vibrant Life

I've studied nutrition and fitness from a variety of experts for over 20 years. In this time I've come to understand that no diet, nor exercise plan, is right for every body. Your body has a unique set of needs, and by listening and exploring, you and I can learn the language of your body and begin giving it what it needs, so that greater energy, vibrancy, health and happiness can be yours!

A healthy body is a platform for an abundant, vibrant life. It's all yours for the taking. Are you ready for it?

-Aimee

contact

Aimee Gallo
Seattle: (206) 227-1231
aimee@vibrance.dev
© Copyright - Vibrance Nutrition and Fitness - Wordpress Premium Theme by Kriesi
 Tweet
 Share
 Tweet
 Share
 Tweet
 Share