Okay, I am really not telling you to dump the person who has been diligent to spot for you and suffer 6 AM workouts with you for years, but….
Consider what a workout partner does (or does not do) for you. A good training partner is reliable and consistent. A good training partner knows how to get the best repetitions out of you (and maybe a few extra pounds on your PR). Personally, I have had relatively few over the years, but I have also had some good ones.
The reason to keep your training partner is when they help you achieve your goals. To help you, they have to know and support your goals.
The challenge one faces in depending on a training partner is that your goals don’t always track. Unless your training partner is your identical twin training for an identical purpose, it is quite likely that you will have very different training needs. Volume landmarks—e.g. maximal recoverable volumes, minimum effective volumes, etc.—and recovery needs will certainly be different. In addition, it is quite likely that your training cycles will get out of sync from time to time—e.g., one is on a leg day while the other is on a chest day. Typically, you may not want to be doing the exact same workout as a training partner, if you are looking to maximize your results.
So, if you have found a reliable motivator to help you through the challenges of training for performance, don’t be quick to break off the relationship. Try, however, to have and to stick to your own training plans. Your periodization might be similar—professional strength and conditioning coaches can’t completely individualize programming for every athlete—but you can still individualize your exercise program and still have the support of the program.
If don’t have a reliable partner, just look for reliable spotters at your gym. If, however, you work out alone at home, maintain proper safeguards to prevent injury.
The key to progressing in your physical fitness is doing what works for you. Try the latest “best workout” from the fitness magazines or what the knowledgeable trainer at the gym suggests, if you wish, but realize that it might not work for you. If one program doesn’t lead you closer to accomplishing your goals, try something else until you see progress. Don’t feel like you have to do what everyone else is doing. If you need a training partner, find a good one and adjust your program (exercises, as well as intensities, sets, and repetitions—i.e., volumes) to suit ) to suit your goals.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!