There’s a time and place for solo workouts, with only your thoughts or a favourite playlist to keep you company. But sometimes exercise is better with two. 

Finding the right workout partner isn’t as simple as hitting up your best friend to join you at the gym, on a run, swim, bike, or on the pickleball court. What makes someone compatible over a drink or as part of your ride-or-die crew doesn’t necessarily make them an ideal workout partner. 

The most important qualities of a workout partner is their schedule jives with yours and they’ll show up no matter what. That’s not to say you always need to workout together, but a partner’s most important role is to provide motivation when yours is lacking. There’s nothing like knowing someone else is counting on you to make sure you’re out the door and ready to go. 

Having similar fitness goals and a joint willingness to put in the effort is another important trait. Workout partners keep each other company, whether it’s in companionable silence or sharing the latest gossip, so ideally you can effortlessly workout side by side for the full length of the workout. That doesn’t mean you need to match each other’s pace,........

© Montreal Gazette