While working out alone has its benefits, incorporating hands-on, partner-assisted exercises into your routine can elevate your experience and results. A collaborative approach enhances your workouts while introducing elements of fun, motivation, and accountability.

WHAT IS PARTNER ASSISTED EXERCISE?

Partner-assisted exercises are movements that use physical assistance or resistance from a partner. For example, if you’d like to do overhead shoulder presses but lack weights, our in-home personal trainers in Toronto can gently press down on your fists or open palms to provide external resistance. Maybe you’d like to improve your balance and coordination: You and your in-home personal trainer can play catch while you stand on one foot, effectively practicing both skills at the same time.

Partner-assisted stretching is one of the most popular types of partner-assisted exercise. In-home personal trainers use their strength or bodyweight to help you push deeper into restorative positions, or help you stretch areas that you are unable to reach on your own. This is particularly important for individuals with postural or muscular imbalances. “Over time, after doing an assisted stretch a few times, that expanded stretch will become your natural range of motion” (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

VARIETY & ADAPTABILITY

Workouts can become monotonous over time, leading to a loss of interest and motivation. This is especially true when you have limited equipment. Partner-assisted exercises bring an element of variety and creativity, making your workouts more enjoyable and exciting. This keeps you engaged in your fitness routine while supporting your progress by encouraging adaptability and learning. Working directly with a trainer exposes you to new exercises, techniques, and workout styles that you wouldn’t be able to try on your own.

In-home personal trainers, in particular, bring expertise that accelerates your physical learning curve. Through partner-assisted exercises and professional programming, the Nielsen Fitness team can introduce you to innovative methods and provide personalized insights to help you navigate fitness goals and plateaus.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Another benefit of partner-assisted exercise is built-in motivation. When you have hands-on assistance from an in-home personal trainer, you are likelier to stay committed to an exercise. The mutual encouragement, support, and physical accountability can push you to complete that last challenging rep, ensuring you give your best effort. We’re counting on you to show up and give it your all because we will every time.

TECHNIQUE

Our team will always remind you that proper form and technique are crucial to prevent injuries and maximize the effectiveness of your workouts. A hands-on partner can provide immediate feedback, helping you adjust your posture and movements in real time. This is particularly beneficial when performing complex or corrective exercises, as hands-on assistance allows trainers to “change resistance placed on [the client] according to their strength and fatigue level, whereas if you’re lying under 225 pounds on the bench press, you’re in trouble if you are unable to lift the weight” (Bodybuilding, 2023).

OUR FAVOURITES

If you’d like to try partner-assisted exercises with a friend or partner, here are a few favourites:

• Chest Press: Ask your partner to stand behind you and provide resistance with a band as you press forward with one or both arms.
• Tricep Dips: Ask your partner to add resistance by applying pressure on your shoulders as you push up out of your dip.
• Squats: Ask your partner to provide resistance by pushing down on your shoulders as you stand up from a squat.
• Hamstring Curls: Ask your partner to provide resistance by pushing against your feet as you curl your heels toward your glutes from a prone position.
• Calf Raises: Ask your partner to provide resistance by pushing down on your shoulders as you raise your heels.
• Russian Twists: Ask your partner to provide resistance by pushing against your arms as you twist.
• Leg Raises: Ask your partner to provide resistance by pushing your legs down as you raise them with your core from a supine position.
• Medicine Ball Toss: Toss a medicine ball to your partner while performing squats.

Final Words

When you work out with a partner, especially one who is a teacher, you push yourself harder. Hands-on, partner-assisted exercises offer benefits that can significantly enhance your fitness experience, and an in-home personal trainer is the singular most effective way to practice this approach. If you’d like to try this technique, the Nielsen Fitness team is here to help. You can book your (free) first workout here!