You’ve heard it before: There’s strength in numbers. But if you ask us, true strength lies in community (no matter how big or small). When it comes to health and fitness, the same rule applies — support from the right places and people make a world of difference (no wonder working out with friends is so common). That’s why you’ll find opportunities to connect with yourself, your body, and your community in our gyms.
In this blog, we’ll explore the many ways to build community while being active, and much more. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Five ways to connect with our resources and tools to support your results
- How to tune in to your interests and find the motivation to work out
- The benefits of working out with friends, plus inspiration for activities to do together
Community starts here: Five ways to connect
Our gyms give you access to the equipment you need to support your health and fitness goals — but that’s just the beginning. We’re all about connection and community, with a range of resources to help you thrive in and outside the gym, from expert Coaches to a range of group classes designed for different levels.
So, why the focus on connection? Essentially, it lays the foundation for success. A study from the National Library of Medicine shared that people find satisfaction through connection and cooperation. Beyond the enjoyment of being together, the study also said that human connection also is beneficial for health and well-being. With that in mind, here are five ways to get connected:
- Coaches: Whether you’re new to working out or have been doing it forever, working with a Coach is your chance to have one-on-one technique support, encouragement, and motivation. When you're new to working out, working with a Coach is key for learning proper form and staying motivated and engaged. Even if you’ve been working out forever, a Coach can help you hit new goals, discover new ways of training or even integrate techniques that you may not have thought about (e.g., mobility training).
- Group workouts: If you’re looking for accountability, motivation, and a high-energy environment for fitness, look no further than our training sessions. Every class is led by a Coach, with different focus areas designed to align with your interests.
- Friendship: The gym is a place where health, movement, and like-minded people come together. Every time you come to the gym, there’s an opportunity to meet someone new, whether that means saying hello to a staff member or Coach, or other gym members. Members can also share a guest trial pass with a friend right through the AF App, making it easier than ever to work out with your crew.
- Share your personal goals: Your personal goals are more than something to aspire to — they’re also a way to connect with your values and yourself. Whether your goal is related to weight loss, building strength, or reaching a new personal record, connecting with your goal on a day-to-day basis can make it a healthy part of your life, rather than limited to a specific outcome.
- AF App: The Anytime Fitness App is your source for all the information you need to build a personalized workout plan, connect with expert Coaches, and track progress. It also incorporates data from the Evolt 360 body composition scanner, giving you insight about your progress through detailed metrics. There’s no better way to stay connected to your goals and see them through, one intentional step at a time.
Deepen your connection to yourself: How to find motivation to work out
While you already know what’s waiting for you at the gym, you may be curious about how to put these ideas into practice. A common question we're asked as Coaches is, "How do I find motivation to work out?” When it comes to staying motivated to work out, research says that connecting to your “why” or your reason for working out can help you stay motivated to exercise. There are two types of motivation: intrinsic and extrinsic.
- Intrinsic motivation is that burning reason inside that causes you to take action. This could be as simple as the curiosity to learn a new exercise technique or the enjoyment of moving your body.
- Extrinsic motivation is about doing something in order to see a reward or specific result. This could be the desire to reach a new personal record or a weight loss goal.
Some people enjoy working out simply because, well, they enjoy working out! There’s research that points to a possible genetic cause for having natural intrinsic motivation to exercise. But what if you aren’t born to love working out? An extra layer of motivation or two, from internal or external sources, is going to help make going to the gym regularly a reality. Find out how below.
Get curious: What excites you about fitness?
What works for one person may not be right for the next. So, if you want to find out how to motivate yourself to workout, you’ll need to reflect on what realistically interests you, inspires you, and is enjoyable (even if challenging!). To help you get started, we’ve broken this into three simple steps:
Step 1: Find what you like.
The more you enjoy something, the more likely you are to stick to it, whether that’s a new job, a new recipe, or a new workout. Do you prefer working out on your own or with others? Try it on your own and with others to see what feels more natural. Remember to stay open-minded — every gym visit is a new possibility! Anything can happen, anytime.
Step 2: Tap into your reason.
We’re not the first to say this, and we won’t be the last: Find your “why.” This idea is linked to results, and it’s simple to apply to your fitness plan. Your “why” could be something specific, like building physical strength or losing weight, or maybe it’s broader, such as the commitment to live a healthy lifestyle and improve quality of life.
Step 3: Keep it interesting.
Let’s face it: Doing the same thing forever can get boring, no matter how much you love it. To stay engaged, consider changing up your training plan to continually challenge yourself (aka periodization), or try a new group workout. Aim to stay just a step outside of your comfort zone. This will help ensure you’re avoiding plateaus in your results while also enjoying your workouts.
Living a healthy lifestyle involves making the daily commitment to intentional choices like moving your body, fueling well, and creating space for rest and recovery. Staying connected to what excites and drives you will help you in those daily moments of commitment, helping you achieve your health, fitness, and recovery goals in the long term.
Better together: Benefits of working out with a friend
Exercise with friends is a great way to improve your physical and social well-being at the same time, which is a win-win for your health. In fact, a study found that social interaction was the most important factor that influenced certain groups to become physically active and stick with their fitness routine, making working out with friends a healthy choice. Check out these additional benefits of connection for getting motivated and seeing results:
- Competition — Working out with friends brings friendly competition. Competition with a friend can boost your own workout intensity, leading to higher calorie burn or more reps.
- Connection — Being around people who have similar goals can foster new friendships. Strengthening these connections by spending time together adds to your support network and builds an encouraging community.
- Consistency — Nothing helps you stick to a schedule like your gym crew waiting for you at the gym. And, when you stick to a schedule, that consistency will show up as results, both physical and mental.
Ready to buddy up? Here’s how to start working out with friends
Finding a workout buddy with similar fitness goals and a comparable workout schedule doesn’t need to be complicated. You might already have someone in mind, in which case, it’s a matter of asking them and then coordinating the details. So, how can you encourage others to exercise?
Remember that it’s up to the individual to manage their own health and physical activity, but you can provide support. As someone in their social circle, you have a big impact! Below, check out three ways you can help encourage others to exercise. Consider which is the best way for you to offer support:
- Make sure the basics are covered. Life can be busy, especially for those caring for small children and youth with busy schedules. Consider what needs to happen in order to work out with your friend or family member — this may include figuring out transportation or childcare.
- Be encouraging and empathetic. Offer companionship and emotional support — even by simply listening. Working out alongside your friend or family member in the gym can go a long way.
- Share your fitness knowledge! Working out with a friend is also a great opportunity to share what you know. This could mean teaching them what you've learned, sharing helpful resources, or giving advice.
Make fitness fun: Three ways to exercise with friends
Caring for your body and health is essential, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while we’re at it! When you’re having a good time, you’re more likely to do it consistently. Here are some creative ways you can stay active with friends, inside and outside the gym:
- Take a walk outside, or on the treadmill if it’s nicer indoors.
- Challenge each other to complete a workout that you create for each other.
- Put together a list of your four favorite exercises each and compile them into a list of eight to complete as a circuit. Aim for two to three rounds of 10-12 reps per exercise.
Looking for a workout buddy? Let’s find your people
If you’re interested in working out with others, check in with the staff at your Anytime Fitness location. They can share information about group training or small group training session offerings. What better way to find people in your area who have the same fitness goals and gym schedule as you than to join a group workout?
Get social. Get moving. Get inspired.
When it comes to getting (and staying) motivated, working out with friends can make a big difference. So, when finding motivation to workout feels like a challenge or you’re in a plateau and need help breaking through, we recommend attending a group training session, sharing a guest trial pass with a friend through our app, or working with a Coach. With so many points of connection ready for you, one just might be the outlet that changes the way you define working out and keeps you coming back for more.
As Coaches, we believe in you and are always here with tools, resources, information, and support to help you live a full, healthy life today — and in the long run. Come say hello next time you’re in the gym!
Get support and find connection at your fingertips with the AF App! Build a personalized workout plan, track progress, and connect with expert Coaches anytime, anywhere.
