Ryan Mackie - Lone Wolf Training

[luckygoats]

The subject of training partnerships has been extensively written about in
all muscle magazines and web articles, along with great success that can
be achieved through teaming up with another highly motivated bodybuilder to
push each other to the limit.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ryanm6.htm

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[mikefromms]

I've trained most of my years alone. I have at times taken workouts with other trainees and other than perhaps enjoying the conversation it has been a negative experience so for as gains go. If a guy is not as gung-ho as I am about training he will hold me back. If a guy yells and curses and acts manic he will shock my focus away from my workout. Maybe I just haven't found the right partner, huh? Anyway, I have good reasons to train alone--all by myself.

I am self-motivated. I don't have to be told ''it's workout day," or "time for the next set." I am focusing on the blood flowing into the veins between sets and that pump and then without anyone in my way, hit the next set. (Another reason I like to workout at HOME).

As the article indicated, I can change my routine when I like and according to my needs. No two people are alike. The advantage Arnold S. had with Franco is that Arnold looks better than he did and Franco challenged Arnold to lift heavier. Also, they spent hours, and I mean like 4 hours in the gym at a time; so, they could wait on each other to complete a lift. I don't have all day and don't want someone cramping my style.

If I want feedback on my physique I look in the mirror and if I want an objective opinion I find someone who has the same goals as I do to tell me what they think. In other words, I'm secure enough in myself to do it alone.

Good article, BTW.

[Irishman]

Great article!

I have trained alone almost my entire lifting career - I do not like to have to coordinate with another person when and when not to train. I live a normal life which means that normal things come up, and I may or may not be able to make it to the gym monday, tuesday, thursday, and saturday every week. Sometimes my wife informs me that "we" suddenly have plans and, "ooops," looks like I'm going to the gym wednesday instead of thursday. I also like the flexibility of timing - sometimes I go into the gym around 5:00PM; sometimes I work late and get there at 6:30PM. When I train alone, I don't have to worry about things like that.

I think having a training partner has some strong-points as well, but if I need a spot, I ask for one - I've yet to go to any gym where the people aren't ready to help each other (granted some are more likely than others). Like Mike Fromms said, I am self motivated - I WANT to get bigger. I don't need someone to tell me there's always room to improve, and I definately don't need some maniac screaming at me to lift harder - that ****e drives me nuts in the gym (heads-up folks: "the louder you yell/grunt is NOT directly correlated to the ammount of weight you will be able to lift" - I know this is a revelation for some out there, but trust me...it's true). Hey, I'll grunt as much as the next guy trying to squeeze out those last 2-3 reps, but, good-God man, if you're screaming and yelling at some poor sap because he's your partner, get out of my gym - and for crying out loud, stop slapping each other (that's some freaky ****e too).

Another good point made in this article is the variance that training alone allows. I have no interest in how much I can benchpress (I'm not a powerlifter - I'm sculpting my body). My body responds MUCH better to d-bell presses and d-bell flyes than the "almighty" benchpress. Nothing wrong with the benchpress...if it works for you. For me, I can get my entire chest workout done by the time a group of 4-6 people finish with thier 38 sets of benchpresses - this alone is a GREAT reason to workout alone.

All in all, I think this is a very good article. Very good points were made, and it will help to disprove the myth that one MUST have a training partner in order to grow.

Thanks!

I have been forced to work out alone my whole life. I have moved around quite a bit and since I have been a student and a worker my lifes schedule changes constantly. One good thing is I have always managed to have a large enough patio to put my workout equipment. Investing in a cable machine and dumbbells have been wise when alone. I use the barbell but only for reps and not maxing out. When I max out I use the gym and smith machine. Safer.

[perldog007]

This is topical and concise. Very well done. I train alone and imagine that alot of others do. Would like to see more articles aimed @ the lone wolf. Thanks Ryan.