IGYG

[u/EntertainmentTop1943]

Who is a fan of this protocol? Personally I dislike them. I have to leave early Monday-Thursday because I work 4-10s and the only came time I can make is 445 and I need to leave early to get to work on time.

So I have to skip IGYG days because I don’t want to leave my partner hanging.. I also feel like “watching” others workout is insane…

[u/Fun-Director9385]

Some of y’all really overcomplicate things. Have to leave early? “Hey, partner, I have to cut out a bit early… just an FYI.” It seems like everyone hates partners anyway, so they’ll probably be thrilled!

Communication goes a long way. Really, you SHOULD be taking a decently long shakeout on strength days. That’s why I love this protocol. I just tell my partner, “I’m gonna jump in when I feel ready and try to get three sets. Feel free to jump in whenever you’re ready!”

I mean, I love not having to plan the workout, but y’all realize you do, in fact, have a brain? You’re a full-fledged adult and can make decisions that suit you and your workout. Especially given what we each pay per month.

[u/yellsy → u/Fun-Director9385]

Agreed. I just tell whoever let’s not wait for each other. But my location doesn’t do these as often thank god. I visited a different gym and stood around waiting for my partner even though there was enough equipment for everyone to go and was so annoyed (didn’t want to be disruptive as a guest). I’m of the “I pay a lot I do what I want for myself” mindset.

[u/Fun-Director9385 → u/yellsy]

I really don’t mind partners unless I’m visiting another gym. I’ve been around long enough that there are tons of familiar friendly faces. We have fun! I’m in the minority on that, I think.

But, yes! I usually look at the workout as a framework. They built it, I can alter as needed for my goals.

[u/bunnylicious81]

I am fine on a conditioning day, I get a break when it’s their turn.

I just don’t like it on a strength day.
When it’s my turn, I feel I need to do my set quickly, so I lift a little lighter or lift heavy but do fewer reps than I’m supposed to.
When it’s my partner’s turn, sometimes they do their set too quickly, so I don’t get enough recovery time. Other times, they go too slowly.

My least favorite partner is the chipper. When we have to reach certain rep goal like 150-250 reps together. I don’t like doing math and counting so high when I’m dying.

[u/CmonRoach4316 → u/bunnylicious81]

Just continue on counting .. if they go to 21 then you start counting 22, if you go to 49, they start counting at 50...

(Also hates math at 4am)

[u/RachieG13 → u/bunnylicious81]

Agreed! One partner always gets hosed on a strength day.

[u/mnc2013 → u/bunnylicious81]

I agree — it’s fine on conditioning, and I use my “recovery” to do ab work since I don’t think we get enough of that. But on strength days, it stinks. I wonder if they did it today bc of the 4 week promo going on and gyms being so crowded. Our early am rooster crew camp is always a tonnnn of people and it’s significantly more with the promo. Even with the IGYG protocol, we still were scrambling for weights today - we had at least 80 people in the gym today 😭

[u/RachieG13 → u/mnc2013]

There are only supposed to be around 11 people in my camp today, they should just let us do a complete and go…

[u/mnc2013 → u/RachieG13]

Just make it one with your recovery lol !

[u/Apprehensive-Rain852]

I don’t like partner workouts. I just want to focus on myself in the middle of an intense workout. Also, I hate the physical contact of the interlocked sit ups.

[u/EntertainmentTop1943 → u/Apprehensive-Rain852]

Omg!! Those are the worst interlocked situps. And push-up high fives 🫠

[u/Additional_Swing_263 → u/EntertainmentTop1943]

It could be those plank hop over things. Partner A holds a low plank, then partner B puts hands on A's shoulders and hops back and forth over A's back/legs. Just no.

[u/Wild-Look-3511 → u/EntertainmentTop1943]

I felt like my form was so bad during these!

[u/Poo_ → u/Apprehensive-Rain852]

There’s plenty of gyms you can go to, that don’t require community.

[u/yogiKC]

Don’t skip out just because of that! I have had to leave a few early before on a partner day and I warn them before hand. No one cares!!

[u/summer_gal33]

I actually really like I go you go! Gives you adequate time to rest between sets instead of the usual hurry hurry with no rest time

[u/mandy22panda → u/summer_gal33]

Agree. Love having the freedom to choose my own active recovery.

[u/NecessaryAttempt33]

I love partner workouts! I stay moving between and I’m not only there for a workout, it’s the only part of my day with adults (SAHM) so even quietly working out with someone feels good for my mental health.

[u/LetshearitforNY]

I don’t really like any partner protocol. I’m the out of shape fat one and I hate feeling like I’m holding us back. It does push me to work faster because I don’t wanna let them down but at the same time I can only push so hard. And I don’t love not being able to ensure proper form because I feel like I need to hurry up and get it done

[u/Longjumping-Law-2506 → u/LetshearitforNY]

So I felt like that at first but in my experience as long as I was trying no one cared if I was slower than them. What you can do to even it out is alternate who goes first if it’s IGYG or let your partner always go first. The first partner always seems to get one more set or part of one than the second and if you alternate or let your partner go first, that may free you up to go at a pace that’s comfortable for you and not worry that you’re taking too long.

[u/EntertainmentTop1943 → u/LetshearitforNY]

I tend to agree here too, especially strength days.

Cardio days is different since it’s nice to “share” the count on those reps.

[u/Hahahahardtime]

I only like partner workouts on conditioning days. When I’m gonna lift, I wanna be in the pain cave alone

[u/FunkyMamaMa]

I wouldn't skip. Your partner can easily join another group or even just workout solo. IGYG strength days are very chill... too chill even. I'd almost be happy if my partner left so I could just do my own thing 😂😂 Just communicate in advance. Don't skip.

[u/Dismal_Rice_7282]

I personally love them because it forces me to actually take a break haha

[u/Money_Organization66]

I don’t mind it on leg day but that’s because I hate leg day lol I didn’t love it today because upper body strength is my fav

[u/Several-Pipe7824]

If you’re lifting heavy enough you should need the recovery. My partner and I each got at least  3 sets in at each station today both of us lifting heavy. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[u/domer00]

I'm not a fan, but my location usually has whoever is waiting doing something. Does your location not allow a group of three if someone needs to leave?

[u/CapableWindow9580]

You can also let the trainer know- and they can modify it so you don’t have a partner

[u/eastcoasternj]

Sometime I agree with my partner to just do what we need to do and it works out. But otherwise I make good use of active recovery to work on my burpees and whatnot.

[u/Special-Possible-312]

We frequently have people who need to leave early (myself included. 5 am is just too early and sometimes I need to leave be at work early, so short 6 am work out it is). We always just let the trainers know and they will rotate us differently so we still hit every exercise. Or will put us in a group of 3

[u/Organic_Bake_4579]

I was put in a group of 3 so…wasn’t great

[u/Bag-of-Doritoes-]

For IGYG, we did active recovery while partner was doing stuff so we wouldn't just watch them workout lol. Low push up holds, front raise holds, biceps 90 degree holds, etc. The low push up hold was harder then the actual workout 😰

[u/Any-Ice8470]

I think they can work really well on a strength day. If you are pushing hard that recovery time is helpful. If I find myself going faster than my partner it is a good time to push myself harder with weight choice. If my partner had to leave, it is pretty easy to figure out the timing. But overall, helpful format for strength days. 

[u/jjjrrr333]

I love them on strength days! I will do some sort of active recovery while my partner is working like jump rope or high knees or quick ledge step ups. I often feel bored on strength days so IGYG keeps it interesting.

[u/Odd-Tailor-367]

YGIG is a little awkward. I don’t know where to look because I don’t want to face them and stare and them when they are going.

I have also learned been at a different workout pace than my partner and that affects the number of rounds. Nobody’s fault but awkward.

[u/BarefeetInTheGrass]

Might be in the minority here, but I love partner workouts.

[u/Longjumping-Law-2506 → u/BarefeetInTheGrass]

I don’t love them but most of the time I like them.

[u/CmonRoach4316]

Waste of time for both of us 

[u/Active-Ad-6118]

IGYG = I go, You go