On the 11th Day of Christmas My Trainer Gave to Me...

.....A Workout Buddy

I know that might sound kind of twisted initially but hear me out! I'm not suggesting you actually "purchase" a friend :)

I have found that one of the most effective tools to starting a workout program or sticking with it long term, is what I call the "Buddy System". Throughout my years as Fitness Director at the Fox Valley YMCA part of my job was to get people into group exercise classes-and to KEEP them there. My most successful ideas were things like "2 for 1", "Bring a Friend for Free", etc. There is something about that "comfort" factor of knowing at least one person in the class, not to mention the accountability and encouragement aspect, that keeps people moving!

Or…maybe your Christmas gift is a promise to workout with that person. Your commitment could mean so much-quite possibly the difference between life and death! I've shared this in a previous post, but to help a friend get back on her feet (literally) after surgery, we started walking. Slowly at first, but now we walk about 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week. Besides the obvious one hour of exercise, it has become a nice stress reliever as we walk and talk about everything going on in our lives-and I mean EVERYTHING!  :) Neither of us ever wants to skip that walk and our friendship has gone to an even deeper level-it's been amazing! And, yes, we are still walking in Mid-December!

Another idea, if you don't want to actually participate in "the gift", why not sign up for two 3 month memberships at a gym-one for your gift recipient and one for a person of their choice. Hopefully, at the end of the 3 months both of them will want to extend that membership and keep working out together!

My last suggestion, which will not come as a surprise to anyone, is Group Personal Training. This is such an affordable way to do Personal Training-you get the full attention of a trainer and you also get to customize the type of workout you do :)  Again, maybe you sign up for a few sessions for two people.

Everything can be more fun with a friend!! Even getting healthy!!

That’s it for today’s gift…check back tomorrow to see what the 10^th Christmas gift will be!!