Working with a partner less built than you

[The Magus]

Hey everybody,

I just came back from a good first workout with someone I met on realjock, and we had a solid chest/back getting-to-know-you workout that I enjoyed quite a bit. Thing is, he's more advanced than I am, has been lifting for about 5 years consistently (I've been lifting for 2), and I got the sense that he was holding himself back throughout the workout, maybe so I wouldn't feel too weak, lol.

For me, it's almost an ideal situation, because he's someone I can learn from, and his conditioning is something that I can aim for for myself in two-three years, so that's very motivational...he used to be fat, so we have a lot of the same experiences.

But I wonder if he gets anything out of it, working out with somebody who's not quite as far along as he is.

So, for the more experienced lifters here, has anyone worked with a partner who was less experienced? What can the less experienced guy bring to the table?

[Aielyn]

Originally Posted by The Magus

So, for the more experienced lifters here, has anyone worked with a partner who was less experienced? What can the less experienced guy bring to the table?

I'd suggest that it's not so much about what a less experienced guy can bring to the table, as much as the "pay it forward" situation. The more experienced guy was the less experienced guy at some time, too, most likely, and was able to learn from somebody. Now it's time for him to help someone - you. And you then, in a few years, help someone less experienced than you.

Besides which, there's always the positive feeling that you get from helping someone.

Plus, there's always something you can learn from other people. You may be less experienced, but that doesn't mean that every experience you've had, he has also already had.

[inflated]

Its not about whether your workout partner is less built than you but whether he or she is as dedicated as you. I have worked out with huge guys who were lazy, showed up to the gym occasionally and generally were lame workout partners. I have also worked out with skinny newbies who lacked the same level of strength but they worked out with intensity and were dedicated--I would pick the dedicated partner any day.