As a physician I meet new people constantly and have mastered the art of setting a patient’s mind at ease.  I am amenable to chit-chat when running errands and enjoy engaging in conversations with strangers while at social events.  However, when I am at the gym, I automatically shift into a “don’t mess with my flow” mode which has left other gym members with the distinct impression that I am some sort of ice queen.

I have made numerous attempts over the years to train with friends and at the conclusion of every one of those training sessions have resolved to avoid such scenarios at all costs.  Thus in my estimation having a training partner has a completely ergolytic effect on my regimen.  Though I recognize the utility in having a supportive human by one’s side to encourage one more rep, such commentary from a pep squad only serves to distract me and in some cases raise my ire.

I have spent my entire life as an aggressive self-starter.  Without such drive I would never have endured the rigors of medical school and residency.  As an NPC national Bikini champion I have consistently pushed myself to reach a personal best, which has been no easy task given the demands of my career and life in general.  I stroll into a gym with my equipment and my regimen for the day like a thoroughbred horse lining up at the gate, blinders in place, ready to charge towards the finish line at full speed.  It certainly doesn’t help that I am usually in an incredible rush to get to the office or a meeting and must keep moving from movement to movement.  You can imagine how I respond to the weekend warrior who decides to wipe the drool from his chin and ask me while I am in the middle of a set how he can get his abs to look like mine.  So the mere thought of spending my entire gym session hyperaware of my time constraints while trying to work in on gym equipment with a training partner is more anxiety-provoking than a trip to the dentist.

If you and your training partner are completing staggered supersets, I suppose you could yell words of encouragement at each other.  If there is sufficient equipment for two side-by-side setups, or if you are engaging in plyometrics, it is possible that you may both train simultaneously.  However, if you are taking turns on equipment, especially if you are using different weights for each set, a thirty-second rest could easily broaden into 60, 90, 120 or more seconds as you load or re-rack or perhaps have a good laugh about the Facebook post one of you just saw on your cell phone.

With all that said, I realize that some individuals thrive in a workout regimen which includes a training partner.  After all, a supportive and upbeat buddy could consistently push you beyond what you believe you are capable of with respect to strength, power and endurance.  If this is what your training partner possesses, and this person is easily able to surrender the cell phone along with idle chat for the duration of the workout, you are quite lucky indeed.