Is Weight Lifting Without A Workout Partner The Secret To Building Muscle Mass?

Feb 17
08:44

2009

Francesco Castano

Francesco Castano

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Many intensely pursue the perfect weight training partner, feeling that bodybuilding results are fostered with the help of another. But, consider that some have shown the opposite to be true, and are performing their weight training workouts alone for maximum progress.

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Bodybuilding is a pursuit that demands substantial weight lifting discipline and dedication,Is Weight Lifting Without A Workout Partner The Secret To Building Muscle Mass? Articles and many feel that having a companion with similar goals can improve mental focus and enhance the impact of each weight lifting workout. This theory is true for many, but there are also some who actually find that solo weight lifting workout routines provide an environment for superior dedication and consistency when compared with relying upon a weight lifting workout partner. Surprisingly to many, there are those who feel that weight lifting partners are detrimental to long term results, and are able to achieve far better fat reduction and muscle gain progress alone, without the benefit of a weight lifting companion.

Despite certain bodybuilders experiencing a desire to train with a partner, locating a man or woman who has a comparable daily schedule and who wishes to attend on the agreed upon time each week is a difficult task. Even when locating a prospective candidate, we all are susceptible to agenda conflicts regardless of how well organized we may be, and two seemingly compatible bodybuilders are likely to find themselves at odds. In addition, many bodybuilders have their own personal weight lifting time preference, with some feeling more energized in the morning hours, prior to starting their day, and others feeling far more motivated for an intense weight lifting session during afternoon or evening hours. This disparity naturally makes finding another weight lifter with an identical mindset cumbersome.

In addition to the potential for scheduling conflicts, a set of similar goals is required, meaning that a weight lifter who wishes to achieve massive muscle gain cannot comfortably workout with one who seeks fat loss and tone, as the two will often perform conflicting routines. Although both could train together, because their workouts may be significantly different, motivating each other without wasting substantial time bouncing between various weights becomes difficult, and soon, the two will find that they experience far greater focus and intensity when training alone.

Even when both bodybuilders have the exact same fat loss and muscle building goals, the amount of weight used in exercises will likely differ, sometimes dramatically, and the two bodybuilding partners will feel as if they are switching free weights on the bars more often than they are actually training for muscle growth, leading to excessive workout length. Weight lifting workout sessions can become mentally grueling when inconveniences begin to monopolize gym time, and making dramatic workout weight changes each set due to differing strength levels is a quick way for any weight lifter to become frustrated with the time spent on each weight lifting session.

Another roadblock towards finding the perfect weight lifting partner is workout pacing, as some wish to rush through a weight lifting session seemingly at warp speed, while others feel far more comfortable with longer rest periods. This will create a substantial pacing conflict, and considering that disciplined weight training is sufficiently difficult to endure when all environmental variables are absolutely perfect, just imagine when a weight lifting partner decides that they want to execute a workout at a speed which you find offensive! In such a scenario, the weight lifting workout will become unnecessarily stressful, and the two partners will try to find a way to abandon the obligation to train together in order to preserve sanity.

Lastly, regardless of how committed two may be towards achieving muscle building or body fat reduction, the chances are astronomically high that idle chatter will occur between sets, extending rest time, and the workout itself, far beyond reasonable levels. Amazingly, two friends can discuss a subject between sets and allow a time period that seemingly feels immaterial to reach several minutes, and the lengthy weight lifting workouts that result are known for draining all motivation and desire to train.

I personally am one who has always performed my weight lifting workout sessions alone, and have found this to be the most effective method, but during the rare times I have trained together with either one partner or a group, I cannot recall any individual ever asking to train with me for a second time, and those workouts with partners were, for me, far less intense than my normal weight lifting workout sessions, when I am training alone, with no distractions, as quickly or slowly as I choose, with the music I enjoy, and without unnecessary discussions that extend workout length beyond reasonable levels.