Exercising With a Buddy

Here are some good (and fun!) exercises that are best when done with a partner. A little friendly competition is always welcome in my book :)

Leg Squeeze (It would be wise to have both people around the same height.)

You and your partner lie on the floor with feet facing each other and buttocks approximately 12-18" apart. Raise legs toward the ceiling. One person has their legs on the inside spread hip width apart while the other has theirs on the outside of the first person. Contact legs at the ankles. The inside leg person pushes their legs apart while the outside person pushes their legs together. This creates natural resistance. Continue your "battle" for 8 seconds. Relax, and repeat as many times as you two decide. Make sure you are switching off the inside and outside positions equally.

Rowing

This is a classic that most moms play with their kids, but don't think to use it as an adult exercise. Here is the adult variation:

Use a dowel or pole (a sturdy broomstick will work) for both partners to hold onto while facing each other. Place the feet heel to heel on the person across from you. Bend the knees slightly. Without jerking, one person pulls toward themselves while the other resists, but not fully. This is to create tension, but not complete resistance. When the person pulling toward themselves has pulled their partner to their full reach, switch tasks. Now the puller becomes the tensor and the partner can now pull them to full reach. Remember to keep knees slightly bent. Straight legs may be injured from tense stretching while limp legs to not create enough tension. This rowing action will use your arms, legs and core to control movements. (singing not required)

Mirror, Mirror

This one is a no brainer. Pick any exercise the two of you enjoy or want to get better at, and do it side by side or facing each other. Have a race! Decide the goal, and ....ready, set, GO! First person done wins!