Workout Buddies for the Win

Are you ready to accomplish your health and fitness goals? Research says a friendly competition will help you get there faster.

Handing someone a fitness tracker and hoping they will improve their health is not enough to see meaningful or significant results, and according to a study published in PLOS ONE, you also need friends to keep you fit.

Study participants wore Fitbits to track their health data, including number of steps, sleep patterns, heart rate and activity level, and completed surveys about their feelings of stress, happiness and positivity. Those with a superior social network were determined to be more successful, and researchers speculate that the accountability felt by engaging in fitness activities and social forums with other people helped individuals stick to a workout program and succeed, ultimately improving their potential for optimal health and well-being.