Bodybuilding is a hobby that requires significant weight training discipline and consistency, and many feel that having a companion with similar goals can increase mental focus and enhance the effectiveness of each weight lifting workout. This concept is true for many, but there are also some who actually find that solo weight training workout routines provide an environment for enhanced dedication and consistency when compared with relying upon a weight lifting workout partner. In fact, surprisingly to many, there are many who feel that weight training partners actually hinder long term consistency, and are able to achieve far better fat reduction and muscle gain progress alone, without the benefit of a weight training companion.

Despite certain bodybuilders experiencing a strong desire to train with a partner, locating an individual who has a similar daily schedule and who wishes to attend on the agreed upon time each week can prove difficult. Even when locating a potential candidate, we all seem to experience agenda conflicts regardless of how well intentioned we may be, and two seemingly synchronized bodybuilders are likely to find themselves at odds. Also, many bodybuilders have their own personal weight training time preference, with some feeling more alert in the morning hours, prior to beginning their day, and others feeling far more motivated for an intense weight lifting session during afternoon or evening hours. This difference in preference naturally makes finding another weight lifter with an identical mindset cumbersome.

In addition to the potential for scheduling conflicts, similar goals are required, meaning that a weight lifter who wishes to produce substantial muscle growth cannot comfortably weight train with one who seeks tone and fat loss, as the two will often perform conflicting types of workouts. Although, technically, both could train at the same time, because their workouts may be significantly different, motivating each other without wasting a large amount of time bouncing between various weights and exercises becomes difficult, and soon, the two will find that they experience far more 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 each exercise will likely differ, sometimes dramatically, and the two bodybuilding partners will feel as if they are swapping free weights on the bars more often than they are actually training their muscles, leading to wasted time and effort. Weight training workouts can become extremely grueling when distractions 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 disgruntled with the time spent on each weight lifting session.

Another roadblock towards finding the ideal weight training partner is workout pacing, as some wish to quickly complete a weight lifting workout seemingly at the speed of light, while others feel far more at ease with greater rest periods. This will create a significant pacing conflict, and considering that disciplined weight training is sufficiently difficult to endure when every environmental factor is perfect, just imagine when a weight training partner decides that he or she wants to execute a workout session at a rate of speed which you personally despise! In such a situation, the weight lifting session 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 workout partners may be towards achieving muscle gain 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 what is necessary. Amazingly, two friends can discuss a topic between sets and allow a time period that seemingly feels immaterial to reach several minutes, and the lengthy workout sessions that result are notorious for sapping motivation and desire to continue training.

I personally am one who has always performed my weight lifting workout sessions alone, and have found this to be the most potent method for my personality and individual preferences, but during the few times I have trained together with either one partner or a group, I cannot recall any individual ever returning to train with me for a second time, and those workout sessions with partners were, for me, far less intense than my normal weight lifting workouts, when I am training alone, without any obstacles, as quickly or slowly as I choose, with music I feel energized by, and without unnecessary discussions that extend workout length beyond mentally sustainable levels.