I go to the gym twice a week with my friend, but the past two weeks she hasn't been able to come along. The gym sessions I did on my own were the best I'd ever done. I really focused, whereas with my friend, she's non-stop gabbing, so I tend to focus my energy on talking back! I really love going with her, but recently have found myself trying to sneak there on my own.

I really don't want to hurt her feelings, but stopping short of telling her to zip it each gym session, I don't know what to do!!

I hate to tell you, but probably no matter what you tell her, you are going to hurt her feelings. We girls are too sensitive like that. She'll probably think that you mean it as you don't want to hang out with her as much or you don't like her as much or something like that.

Try talking to her and emphasizing that it has nothing to do with not wanting to hang out with her or anything along those lines. It's simply because you want to focus more at the gym. Maybe she could still come if she's willing to focus more and talk less.

Thank you Rachael.

I'm meeting up with her tomorrow (at the gym), so I'll broach the subject then!

Good luck!!!

I would take the easy way out. Just start going to the gym four days a week; two hard workouts by yourself, two fun ones with your friend. Problem solved, and more fitness gained. ^_^

I suppose you can't just nod along while you get onto the bench and do a set?

I guess you have to decide what is more important, good workouts or talking with your friend at the gym. I like talking with my lifting buddy or pops when I lift, but we both understand we are there to move weight.

Maybe your friend just needs to know this. If she takes offense and can't fathom your purpose in the gym, then maybe she isn't worth having as a friend in the first place.

Well, I wouldn't ever put weights before a friend, ever. But you brought up a good point; somehow tell her that you're there to lift weights and get in shape, not chat.

was at the gym this morning and i suggested to her that we should really try and push ourselves this time. And she did! really concentrated and everything! afterwards she said she felt better for pushing herself!

breakthrough!

Nice work

Me I had to stop bringing a friend to workout in my track days as he held me back... then when he wanted to prove he could keep up and push me on, he ended up passing out because he didn't follow the advice of eating somthing before we lifted (6am workouts).

After that he realized maybe he didn't want to workout with me then.

Now I say all that not to 'brag' or to sound mean but when I'm in the gym, i'm there for a purpose. I talk a little to a few folks I know between breaths and lifts but I go non stop for 40-60 minutes. At that time it was alot of Olympic lifts, squats and benching. It was something I had built up too and he didn't want to 'build' up, but just jump right in.

Help your friend build up but remember that gyms are about making our bodies better and a good friend should realize your goals and help you meet them not hinder you

Yea! I'm glad that the situation turned out pretty well for you!

Thanks Guys!

I think you should try to get her to train the way you did when you were there alone - instead of going back to the old habit of chatting the hour away.