The people you surround yourself with

[Popatar]

This is very important when it comes to working out. Whether your goal is to gain muscle to compete in a bodybuilding contest, or to gain strength in for a powerlifting meet, or even to lose some body fat, the people at your gym plays a large role with your motivation.

I always tell myself "if you are the strongest at your gym, its time to find a new gym". If you want to get big you need to train with big people. If you want to be fit you need to train with fit people. You get to know these guys and you push each other to the max. When someone sets a new pr the whole gym feels it.

[spiderman]

Most of my friends are my basketball buddies. I feel the need to stay fit because of them. It plays a big factor in staying in shape.

[brandontnguyen]

The people you surround yourself with is a huge factor towards how well you will achieve your goals. If you surround yourself with people that are into healthy activities or sports that involve lots of physical activity, then you will find yourself at a higher fitness level. If you surround yourself with people are more intellectual but don't undergo physical activity, then you may find yourself learning more, but you will most likely be weaker. And if you hang out with people that are both smart and super fit, then you are a big winner.

[shaun]

I agree to an extent, but I don't think you need competition to progress, it depends on the individual. Some people thrive on training alone, the iron is their competition. I train with my brother, our strength is at the same level of most lifts and we have the same philosophy on training.

[supershopper]

I have friends that are a combination of super fit and super smart, but sadly none of them go to the gym. If they do, all they will do is play basketball/badminton and not even touch the weights.

[shaun]

I have friends that are a combination of super fit and super smart, but sadly none of them go to the gym. If they do, all they will do is play basketball/badminton and not even touch the weights.

I do not think you need to have friends who go to the gym. Obviously it helps to share experiences and help each other, but it's not a prerequisite for building muscle. You need to do your own research, learn, and be committed to your goals.

[brandontnguyen]

I have friends that are a combination of super fit and super smart, but sadly none of them go to the gym. If they do, all they will do is play basketball/badminton and not even touch the weights.

I do not think you need to have friends who go to the gym. Obviously it helps to share experiences and help each other, but it's not a prerequisite for building muscle. You need to do your own research, learn, and be committed to your goals.

Well of course. When it all comes down to it, it's all up to you. But having friends who do got to the gym does help significantly.

[Popatar]

When you have the whole gym behind your back, and you miss a lift you let them all down. That responsibility pushes me like no other.

[shaun]

I have friends that are a combination of super fit and super smart, but sadly none of them go to the gym. If they do, all they will do is play basketball/badminton and not even touch the weights.

I do not think you need to have friends who go to the gym. Obviously it helps to share experiences and help each other, but it's not a prerequisite for building muscle. You need to do your own research, learn, and be committed to your goals.

Well of course. When it all comes down to it, it's all up to you. But having friends who do got to the gym does help significantly.

I don't think it does help significantly. You do not need friends to lift weight, bodybuilding is a personal endeavor. Your friends can't deadlift for you. If you rely on other people too much you are doing something wrong.

[runy_brm]

People around me hardly care about fitness, they always told me that I work out too much and I need to eat more. I try to motivate them and I told them I work out to stay healthy.