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Originally Posted by
Packard
People like training partners (and workout coaches) because they can push you to do extra work, extra reps, extra poundage.
As a rule I have always thought that training partners (and workout coaches) are best left out.
The time to decide how many sets, what poundage and how many reps to perform for your next workout is as soon as you've finished this workout.
If you go to the gym and "feel great" and do extra; or if your training coach or partner pushes you to do extra, you are really only stealing from your next workout.
The greater risk, especially with training coaches, is that they will push you so hard and so long that you burn out and quit.
I trained for 37 years (before the arthritis laid me out for the last 14 years). Over and over I've seen people train hard (usually starting after the New Year) and burn out in July or August. Sometimes they come back for an encore, but rarely for two encores.
So I suggest a slow, but stead increase sticking exactly to your written workout.
There are always some people to talk to at the gym. And I'm glad to do so. But I train alone (with my notebook).