Gave up on the gym? It's not willpower you're missing, it's a buddy
Student life · Équipe Viatous · 4 min
September: you sign up for the gym, fired up, with a printed workout plan and a shiny new water bottle. October: you go "when you can". November: your membership card is mostly propping up a wobbly table.
If that sounds familiar, relax: it isn't a willpower problem. It's a doing-it-alone problem. And that one can be fixed.
How much to move, and why it's so hard
The World Health Organization recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week . That's half an hour, five days out of seven. Not huge on paper. Yet, according to the WHO, nearly a third of adults worldwide (31%) don't move enough.
For students, the usual suspects are well known:
time , eaten up by classes, studying and sometimes a job;
money , because a gym membership quickly weighs on a tight budget;
motivation , which collapses the moment you have to head out alone in the rain at 7 pm.
The first two obstacles have solutions. So does the third, and it fits in one word: "someone".
The power of a buddy (or a small group)
On your own, you negotiate with yourself. And you often lose. With others, the game changes:
A plan is a commitment. Skipping a run with yourself is easy. Leaving two people shivering at the park waiting for you, much less so.
Time flies. A 40-minute run while chatting feels half as long.
You're bolder. Climbing or a boxing class is far less intimidating with three of you.
You improve together. Watching others make progress gives you a lift. And small wins are more fun to celebrate as a group.
The right partner isn't necessarily the fittest person in the room. It's the one with your level, your time slots and the same urge to stick with it.
For your first session, keep it modest. A short duration, say 30 minutes, and a goal everyone can reach. Agree on the pace: you wait for the slowest person, nobody gets left behind. And before you even split up, set the date for next time. That small detail is what turns a good intention into a habit.
Sports that work great with 2, 3 or 4 people
Running. Free, no gear needed, suitable for every level. To start, alternate walking and running.
Badminton or table tennis. With two or four, perfect for letting off steam and laughing.
Bouldering. One person climbs, the others cheer, and you figure out the routes together.
Hiking. One Sunday a month, to get out of the city and finally talk about something other than classes.
Bodyweight training. In the park or online: push-ups, planks, squats, no equipment at all.
Yoga or stretching online. Perfect for unwinding after a day of sitting, each at home but together.
Working out on a small budget
Your university sports service. Many schools offer activities at reduced prices, or even included. Check right at the start of the semester.
Outdoors is free. Parks, riverbanks, stairs, public fitness trails: the city is an open-air gym.
Online sessions. A video, a mat, two or three people on a video call: group motivation without the membership fee.
Start small. Two 20-minute sessions a week, kept up for a month, beat an ambitious plan dropped after ten days.
Find your workout partner with Viatous
No sporty roommate, friends with impossible schedules? On Viatous , you write what you want to do in one sentence, for example: "Looking for 1 to 3 people to run 5 km on Sunday mornings at the park, beginner pace." Or, if you'd rather stay warm: "30-minute online bodyweight session on Wednesday evenings, as a group to stay motivated."
Viatous understands what you're after and creates a Room : a small group of 2 to 4 compatible people, online or in person. Roomi, the Viatous robot, welcomes the group, walks everyone through the steps, reminds you of the rules and hosts the activity. You show up with your first name, and online the camera is optional. For an in-person session, pick a public place and have a look at our safety tips .
If you like the rhythm, the Room can become a Circle : your weekly workout date, only if everyone wants to. That's exactly what your September membership was missing. The free plan includes one completed Room per week, no credit card needed. See how it works .
That leaves just one question, and it's worth more than any printed workout plan: this Sunday morning, who'll be waiting for you at the park gate?