Numerous girls start the gym with a partner, and many, start with their favourite, their boyfriend, especially if he’s a gym goer himself.
Having company when working out is a fantastic choice as it may give us a sense of motivation and even purpose, as many of us find it easier to let ourselves down than to disappoint someone else.
That’s why having someone else to be accountable to can really motivate us to show up and stay on track.
The reason you're not seeing any progress
Women often encounter a challenge when starting the gym with their partners – they frequently fall into the pattern of following their partner’s training, which may be OK for a few weeks but will no longer be optimal in the long run.
Why is that the case?
Women and men are different; therefore, we do, act, nurture, and communicate differently.
Did you know that men and women also have different muscular functions and fatigue levels due to body structure and anatomical differences? Well, it’s true!
As you might know, men usually possess greater strength and are faster than women.
But, recent studies indicate women may have an edge over men in endurance events, such as long-distance sports.
During endurance and consistent muscular activities requiring sustained tension or repetitive contractions, women show higher fatigue resistance levels as opposed to men. These findings suggest that females have a natural advantage in maintaining strength and power within the same position over extended periods. The difference in fatigue levels between the sexes during prolonged muscle activity may be due to differences in muscle fibre and neuromuscular function, including the ability to recruit muscle fibres efficiently. Therefore, it is crucial to consider these factors when designing exercise programs and training regimes for both men and women to enhance their muscular endurance and overall physical strength. This study highlights the importance of understanding gender differences in performance to achieve optimal biological outcomes.
Numerous individuals may tell you otherwise, but interestingly, women last longer.
Therefore, we must train differently. Harder.
By training harder, you do not necessarily have to lift more, but rather, do more.
Acknowledging that men and women have unique physical differences that can impact sports performance is crucial.
If you were to ask your boyfriend to increase the number of sets by 2 for each exercise, it could be quite demanding for him. He could experience exhaustion or struggle to complete the task.
So, when working out alongside your boyfriend, there is no need to feel obligated to stick to his workout regime, such as 4 reps for 4 sets. You deserve to reach your full potential, whether it’s by increasing weight, reps, or sets.
While it may pose a challenge, it’s the only way to improve and see those long-awaited goals you’ve been dreaming of.
A workout buddy is always beneficial, especially if that buddy is your boyfriend. He can provide extra motivation and support to help you power through those last few reps. Just make sure you’re not holding back. Feel free to push your and your boyfriend’s limits to reach new heights together.
Building muscle isn’t just about working out hard. Rest and nutrition are equally important factors for muscle recovery and growth. That means fueling your body with nourishing foods and high-quality protein. As the saying goes, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” So, pay attention to the other factors to see those gains!
CONCLUSION
Men and women’s physiological and anatomical differences can affect sports performance. Women tend to have an advantage in endurance events, so women should train hard to achieve their full potential and not feel obligated to follow their partner’s workout routine. However, rest and nutrition are equally important for muscle growth and recovery.