Abby Cohen-
Beachbody's online workout community, WOWY SuperGym®, is all about people inspiring each other to reach their fitness goals. But does it work? You bet your Brazil Butt Lift® it does. We see folks band together to get fitter every day here at Beachbody®—which is why we called it "WOWY," for Work Out With You. The motivation boost you experience when you work out with a partner even has a name: the Köhler Effect (after smartypants psychologist Otto Köhler, who first reported the phenomenon in 1926). But a recent development might have surprised even Dr. Köhler.
Current research shows that you can get even more motivated by a virtual partner than by a live, in-person one. (That's "virtual" as in "online," as opposed to "almost," like that kid with the weird laugh you came this close to dating.)
Which type of virtual online workout partner would inspire the best results from you? It depends on what type of exerciser you are. Read on to find the description that fits you, along with your perfect match.
-Let's say you're gifted at making excuses. You would totally exercise but you don't have a spare nanosecond. And you told your spouse you'd polish the doorknobs. Plus your pituitary gland hurts.Excuse-maker extraordinaire, your ideal partner is a coworker, or another person committed to showing up for every workout—preferably someone whose success will suffer if you don't. Just ask Melissa Higgins, Beachbody Director of Development.
"If you and I are working out together, I don't want to let you down by not being there," explains Melissa. Before she joined a 90-day RevAbs® test group of Beachbody employees, she says, "I had never exercised before. Never. NEVER!" With a child and demanding full-time job, she had sound reasons to forego workouts—yet participating in the group overrode them. Not only did Melissa stick with it for the whole 90 days, she lost 22 pounds and 8.5 inches off her waist. Why? Her theory: "It's about accountability."
Indeed, studies have identified indispensability, the belief that one's contribution makes a crucial difference, as a key reason people make more effort in a group. So if you want to boost your motivation even further, start a workout group in WOWY, invite like-minded people to join, and create a concrete goal. Now let's look at the other end of the spectrum.
-You are an unstoppable machine. You live to work out and you work out to live. You have a mercilessly healthy diet, Bring It!® every second of every set, and never miss a workout, even if you're bleeding.
If this describes you, finding motivation isn't your biggest problem (though learning to relax might be). However, if you simply want more motivation, choose a buddy with the strength of Superman and the stamina of the Energizer Bunny®. Research shows that a competitive sort like you will stop at nothing to outperform your partner. Come to think of it, maybe your biggest problem is finding a buddy who's more badass than you. That's when an online partner comes in extra handy—and may be even better than a live one.
A recent study from Michigan State University revealed that test subjects who worked out with more capable virtual partners performed exercises 24 percent longer than those who worked out alone. Great news, huh? Now instead of hoping you'll find someone who challenges you in your circle of friends, you can plumb the mammoth WOWY database—which drastically improves your odds of finding a perfect fit. I see a significant boost in motivation in your future. But what if you're a more easygoing, social type?
Yes! Choose the exercise program that most appeals to you, and pair up with a buddy who shares your interests and is slightly more capable than you. It's the narrow margin that's been found to induce the biggest spike in motivation from the "weaker" partner. Apparently, we humans are inspired by social comparison.
Whether your buddy is real or virtual is up to you. But online partners do have advantages: If you like, you can exercise at 4:00 in the morning. In your pajamas. With zero concern that you can't keep up—because you set your own pace. Log in to WOWY and see who else is working out. You'll enjoy all this flexibility, plus the benefits of being accountable to somebody. Dude, you'll be leaner and stronger in no time!
-You are a carbon-based life form. No matter who you are and how you exercise, a workout partner can significantly enhance your motivation and results. As Melissa Higgins says, "When you see someone else's success, you know you can do it yourself." Damn straight, which is why the lion's share of Success Stories we see at Beachbody start with each story's main character seeing an infomercial with fantastic real-world results.
So go ahead: Make the most thrilling part of your own Success Story happen faster. Get more out of every workout by leaning on others. They won't mind.
After all, they're doing the same thing to you.
