In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I am posting one of our most popular articles for each of you to have a resource. Enjoy It!

At Moose Strong Training, we believe in the power of community and connection as essential elements of personal growth. Our programs are designed not only to build physical strength but also to foster mental toughness and emotional resilience. Working out with a partner embodies this holistic approach, as it enhances motivation, accountability, and support—key pillars of our training philosophy. By sharing the journey with a partner, you not only push your physical limits but also strengthen the bonds that empower you to break through personal barriers. Together, we rise stronger, embodying the spirit of Moose Strong. Motivation and Accountability: Having a workout partner can boost motivation and keep you accountable. You're less likely to skip a session when someone else is counting on you. This mutual commitment can lead to more consistent workouts and better results. Social Connection: Exercising with a partner can make workouts more enjoyable and provide a sense of camaraderie. It’s a great way to strengthen friendships or even make new ones, adding a social dimension to your fitness routine. Improved Performance: Partners can push each other to achieve more, whether it's lifting heavier weights or running that extra mile. A little friendly competition can lead to better results, helping you reach your fitness goals faster. Safety: Having someone to spot you during exercises like bench presses can prevent injuries and allow you to push your limits safely. This added layer of safety can give you the confidence to try new exercises and challenge yourself. Variety and Fun: Partners can introduce new exercises and routines, keeping workouts fresh and exciting. It’s also more fun to share the experience with someone else, making the journey to fitness more enjoyable. Emotional Support: A workout partner can provide emotional support, helping you through tough days and celebrating your successes. This emotional connection can be a powerful motivator, encouraging you to keep going even when the going gets tough.

When it comes to selecting weights for your workouts, the process can be challenging. There are three primary methods for choosing weights, each with its own considerations. Firstly, there is the intuitive approach, which requires advanced training and a deep understanding of your body. Experienced lifters may opt for a lighter weight if they feel excessively tired or have had poor sleep. Conversely, they may choose a heavier weight on days when they feel strong, in order to progress their training program. The second method involves examining percentages based on your one-rep max. This requires knowing your one-rep max at the beginning of each training cycle and applying it to a linear or block periodization scheme, which can involve complex calculations. Given the intention for our training to be efficient, fast, and challenging, we will focus on the third method as our primary approach for selecting weights. This method is based on the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), which measures the effort required to complete an exercise on a scale of 1 to 10. A rating of 1 indicates an easy task, while 10 represents complete failure and extreme stress on the muscular, cardiovascular, nervous, and metabolic systems. Our goal is to aim for an RPE of around 8, where we are confident in completing the seventh rep, question our ability to complete the eighth, and are certain that we cannot complete the ninth. However, caution must be exercised when using the RPE method, as there is a tendency to underestimate the effort and choose weights that are too light. For example, an athlete might complete all three sets of an exercise and rate it as a six or seven on the RPE scale when in reality, they could have been training at a four or five intensity level throughout the entire session. Therefore, it is important to avoid this mistake and accurately assess the level of exertion during workouts.

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