If getting in a quality workout has been dropping down on your to-do list faster than the falling temperatures, here’s your new secret weapon: Call that ultra-fit friend of yours. Turns out that not going it alone can help you work out longer and harder, according to a new study from Kansas State University. Researchers had nearly 60 female college students exercise alone on a stationary bike, and gave them the option of quitting whenever they wanted. On average, participants rode for 10 minutes. Then they had study participants bike alongside a virtual peer who appeared on a video screen, and who—participants were told—had superior biking abilities to their own. The results? Those who pedaled with a partner biked longer than they had in isolation. More from Prevention: The Ultimate Fitness Gift Guide Researchers suspect that people are motivated to boost their performance when they’re wary of being less fit than a workout partner. “When participants were the weak link, their motivation actually increased over time,” says lead study author Brandon Irwin, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Kansas State University. To optimize your own success, look for a buddy who’s about 40% better than you are, Irwin advises. If the partner is exponentially stronger, you’re likely to feel deflated, become self-conscious, or even risk an injury. Once you’ve found your fitness soulmate, Irwin suggests setting a joint goal (like running a 10-minute mile) that’s accompanied by a reward. The catch? You both need to meet the goal before anyone benefits. The risk of disappointing your partner (she really wanted that massage) should offer a valuable, calorie-torching boost. Can’t snag a pal with the same gym schedule? Opt for a virtual partner through the smartphone app Nexercise, advises 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: Why Women Should Lift Weights Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team!
