Fit Tip: Run With a Stranger at the Gym

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Fit Tip: Run With a Stranger at the Gym

February 25, 2008

When I step onto a treadmill at the gym, some days I'm just not feeling very motivated to push myself. I'm sure this happens to you too, so you should give this little game a try.

Find someone on a treadmill that looks like they're working hard and pretend you're running with them. It's great inspiration to feed off their fire, and you'll be surprised at how suddenly you have a burst of energy. I find that I can run longer or faster when I'm mock running with someone else.

This of course works for any cardio machine, so the next time you're feeling sluggish, use someone else's drive and passion to pep you up.

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15 Comments

AMP 5 years 12 weeks

Ahh, I've found myself doing this a few times! It really gets me into a good rhythm, so its so good for my workout. I think its really funny that I usually find myself pacing a guy a foot taller than me. I love knowing that I'm running at such a faster pace for my shorty legs to keep up with his long ones.

Spectra 5 years 12 weeks

I did this exactly once and the guy I was "chasing" looked at me like I was stalking him, so I stopped. It does have kind of a "creep-out" factor to it. When I'm out running in the street, I like running after people that are also out running...it's kinda fun to "race" them for a while.

Nitrobezene 5 years 12 weeks

I do it on the track sometimes to one particular man... he looks like a marathon runner and sprints for like three miles, no joke.. I decided to try and run with him once around the track and I about passed out! Yes, I did get a strange look from him. Haha, never again, but it's a good idea when you find someone who is going about the same pace as you! :)

shanimalcracker 5 years 12 weeks

Cielochic, I totally do that too! I wonder if they notice me looking at their screen to see how I'm doing in comparison. But it really does boost you up in terms of wanting to go harder than them!

chibarosa 5 years 12 weeks

I don't go to a gym but I do this when I run outdoors. I pick a person who is ahead of me and try to lap them.

aimeeb 5 years 12 weeks

Hahaha this is amusing...

aimeeb 5 years 12 weeks

Hahaha this is amusing...

michlny 5 years 12 weeks

so funny! i'm so competitive, i do this ALL THE TIME!! Even if I run outside! It's a great motivator!!

Jillz1128 5 years 12 weeks

Ugh I HATE it when people do this to me!!!! It used to happen all the time at my college rec center

cvandoorn 5 years 12 weeks

Hahaha. I always end up glancing at the people who walk and get tired.

gumdrops334 5 years 12 weeks

This always happens, especially if I get on after the other person does. If I'm feeling like getting off the treadmill early, I tell myself "how stupid will I look if the first runner stayed on and the second one got off earlier than him/her?" I also speed up when my neighbor speeds up so I don't feel like I'm going too slow.

Lovely_1 5 years 12 weeks

:ROTFL: I do this ALL the time! Mainly because I go to the gym alone, and also because it's like a race. I can really push myself because I don't want to stop running first!

Lovely_1 5 years 12 weeks

:ROTFL: I do this ALL the time! Mainly because I go to the gym alone, and also because it's like a race. I can really push myself because I don't want to stop running first!

chloe777 5 years 12 weeks

yes, this is a great tip! but sometimes i end up being in sync with the other person, which can tend to be a little bit awkward, but whatever! oh and LOL at the caption!! did you make that fitsugar?

CieloChic 5 years 12 weeks

Done that and it works. Except that I resist glancing over to their screen, I am tempted to see what's their speed and then try to get there. Bit of intrusive, really, if you're caught!

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15 Comments

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