Michigan State University researchers studied three groups of women: Some cycled by themselves; some had a buddy (via a TV screen) who, they were told, had better stamina than they do; and some were part of a virtual team populated by people who were in better shape than them. The results are enough to make anyone rethink that next solo gym trip. Women in the second group exercised 9 minutes longer than the single cyclers, and those on a team cycled 12 minutes longer. [sidebar]“There’s something inherently competitive about exercise,” says study author Brandon Irwin, PhD. “At no point did we tell them they’re in competition,” he says. And that sense of competition also spurred the women exercising with partners to work harder and longer without even being aware of their extra efforts. Translating these results to your own gym is easy—as long as you pick the right partner, says Dr. Irwin. Here’s how:
- Find your twin. “What you should look for is basically someone who’s as similar to you in every way possible, except for a little bit better than you in the area you want to get better at,” says Dr. Irwin. If that sounds suspiciously like your fitter friend with more energy than you, it is. Just be careful not to choose someone too far beyond your fitness level, because your goals won’t be realistic.
- Give her a lift. In your quest to be the best, it’s good to force your friend’s healthy habits on yourself. When you go to the gym, offer her a ride, Dr. Irwin suggests. This means you’ll have to stay at the gym just as long as she does.
- Go virtual. If you can’t find a buddy with the same gym schedule as you, opt for a virtual partner through the smartphone app Nexercise, says Dr. Irwin. With your cell strapped to your arm, you can pair with a slightly superior stranger and trade stats on who’s burning more calories. More from Prevention: 5 Excuses That Kill Your Heart
