Does anyone else *prefer* exercising alone? Or am I just a bit of a freak?

[ShotsFired]

Almost everywhere you look, articles and websites tell you to train with a friend for better results and more enjoyment.

But I hate it. Whether it's because it makes me feel shit for holding them back; or making them go slower than they want to be (same thing really); or just the fact that it feels competitive when that is the last thing I am interested in. Multiple those feelings by 1000 for organised events, even the local charity ones which are just for fun (allegedly - for me they are horrendous!).

Am I the only one who is happiest just going off and doing their own thing with no pressure to be first or fastest or best? As well as exercising alone, I go somewhat out of my way to do it at times and places where I will come across very few other people too, although that's probably also a self-confidence/body-image thing.

I expect I am probably doing myself a disservice and not getting the best out of my workout by just ambling along at my own pace, but I have tried so many times and it's always been a session of me endlessly worrying and fretting about the other person, instead of just enjoying myself.

(I don't have many friends anyway, and was single for many many years, so maybe I am just happy(iest) in my own company?)

I prefer running alone so I can go at my own pace. I like attending exercise classes with my sister so we can chat before or afterwards, it's a good reason to meet up regularly.

I started a thread recently about running at age 57 when I have never done it before and have had some great advice and encouragement.
I've been mulling over whether I needed to find someone to run with, join a group etc but have come to the conclusion that I am better off on my own. I don't want to have to gently compete or compare myself with anyone else.
I have a really busy diary and don't want to get into making arrangements that may need to be cancelled or modified.
I swim 3 mornings a week and used to see a friend at the pool. I realised at times I was timing my swim so that I would see her and eventually asked myself why? I had ended up some days swimming at the wrong time for me.
So I've learned from that and am going to start my running programme on my own terms and that means by myself.
As an aside I do wonder if it's because I'm older now that I'm a little more selfish?? By which in this context I mean putting my own needs first?

Loved Lotta's sentence about big cheerful sunbeams! Made me chuckle. So true.

I'm an introvert.

I tried Parkrun but was instantly reminded of school cross-country when most of them vanished into the distance.

So I'm doing C25K by myself, which is going great, but with the virtual company / support of other MNers, which makes it even better.

I go to a Zumba class once a week, which is social & a good laugh.

sorry if I have offended you with my comment about why I like running alone. Was not meant to imply that mums need more time alone but hey ho if that's how it was taken I'm sorry.

Nope I love exercising alone too. I like to run on my own it's nice to get the peace & quiet & me time. Also since having my big headed son I tend to fart accidentally & it that could be quite embarrassing!

Fruitatthebottom. Sorry no you didn't cause any offence at all! Yikes I didn't mean to imply that - was actually trying to say that I had less reason to need 'time off' than others!

Sorry for poor wording!!

And hurrah also for Lotta and her sunbeams too. That and all the other comments have really helped, thank you!

I like to run alone with music/radio, but do have a couple of pals that I love to plod with now and then (it probably works out about six times a year).

My other main exercise thing is aikido which is something you do co-operatively with your partner, rather than against each other, and that's hugely enjoyable unless your partner is annoying.

(high fives Shots and Crazy)

I am fine with others... but I am fine on my own, too, iyswim. I don't understand people who need music to run, why are they so bored with their own thoughts.
What I never want is comparisons... like published park run listings, or MN threads where everyone sums their group distance or posts PBs. I'd rather crawl under a table.

I have an officemate who revels in her own introvertedness (is friendly in various ways, honest). Drinks alone, rock climbs alone, all sorts. Made a point of choosing a desk as far away from rest of us as possible. I quite admire her confident satisfaction in own company.

Trout, the main reason I run with headphones is to drown out any drive-by shoutings. I am pretty sure they're not going to be shouting anything I want to hear.

I've just got a treadmill at home and as I prefer exercising alone, it suits me so well.

I often ride my quiet backroad routes with one earphone in (on my kerbside) and listen to audiobooks.

Cheryl Strayed's 'Wild' was recent, and hugely entertaining, thought provoking and humbling in equal measure.

It is definitely me-time to listen and subconsciously process whatever is niggling or "shoulding" me at that moment. I don't always end up with answers, but I get myself further down the road of trying to understand myself!

I don't understand exercising with other people!

Different levels of fitness, different goals, different strengths and weaknesses does not a happy workout make. I can run 10k quite happily but can barely swim a length of a pool.

Exercise should be what works for you, not compromising to fit into someone else's work out routine.

I suppose if your meeting someone st the gym it means you've got to go, but I enjoy the gym anyway so motivation isn't much of a problem. I think that's the biggest benefit from exercising together.

Now if only I could find the motivation not to eat an entire dominos pizza I'd be on to a winner....

*you're

I run by myself . It sorts my head out plus I'm not the best runner in the world.

It's my birthday tomorrow and I'm planning a solo bike ride of about 25 miles. I love cycling on my own and get lost in my own thoughts.

Happy tomorrow Birthday BearLeft!
(I don't know what that last one is!)

Enjoy your ride!

Nothing wrong with running alone. I prefer it, and actually get up before dawn this time of year to avoid seeing people.

I listen to zombies run, and do virtual races (hogwarts running club / whovian running club - geek I know) but I can do it all in my own time without any expectation of others.

Personally I think other people would cramp my (very slow) style.

I like running alone. Part of it is necessity anyway, but I like the headspace. I like music and the Zombies app, but I'm free to listen to them without introduction, or to zone out with my own thoughts.

People turning up to the pool and breaststroking while chatting in a line jamming up the pool infuriate me. Not that I can combine keeping afloat and my head out of the water in order to chat anyway!

I love long walks on my own too. Especially if I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed, a good 10 miles or so of parks, woods & fields is brilliant and not just lets me switch off completely, but makes me tired enough for a good night's sleep.

Me! I would hate to go to the gym with anyone. I do what I want. At my speed and in the order I prefer.
I do classes. Arrive. Say hi. Ignore everyone until the end. Slope off to shower.
My exercise is my me time. If I want to chat I will meet up for a coffee.