Protection from overzealous gym-goers. Not having to WhatsApp mid-squat. Someone to borrow shampoo from (again). There are plenty of good reasons to find a workout buddy, but the best is that it will motivate you to push yourself harder, say studies.

Fitness influencers Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott – AKA the Tone It Up girls – have created this routine to help you up your game when you workout as a pair. Complete the moves in order, resting briefly between. Repeat the programme up to three times. You can then both go for a drink – protein shake or otherwise…

Step 1 LOWER AB LIFT

Targets: Lower abs
1 Lie on your back with your partner standing behind you. Grip her ankles, then lift your legs, ankles together and core engaged.
2 When you reach the top of your leg lift (you want your partner to catch your feet), raise your lower back off the floor. Slowly lower legs down and repeat.
Do 15 reps, then trade positions.

Step 2 BRIDGE BOOTY LIFT

Targets: Glutes, hamstrings and quads
1 Begin with both partners lying with legs bent, feet together.
2 Pressing against your partner’s feet, raise your hips and squeeze your glutes until your body makes a straight line from shoulders to knees. Slowly lower back down to start.
Do 15 reps.

Step 3 JUMP SQUAT

Targets: Glutes and metabolism
1 Stand facing your partner, arms at your sides. Sit back into a squat while she does the same.
2 Then jump up in the air as high as you can. At the height of your jump, high-five your partner with both hands, before landing softly into a deep squat.
Do 15 reps.

Step 4 PARTNER PUSH-UP

Targets: Triceps, shoulders and chest
1 Begin in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart. Keeping your back flat and core engaged, bend your elbows to lower your body towards the floor.
2 As you strengthen your arms, use your right hand to low-five your partner’s right hand. Return both hands to the floor in the starting position and repeat the movement, alternating hands each time.
Do 5 reps on each side, 10 reps total. 

Step 5 OBLIQUE TWIST WITH DUMBBELL

Targets: Core and waist
1 Stand back to back with your partner, one of you holding a heavy dumbbell with both hands.
2 With your core engaged, twist your upper body towards your partner as she twists towards you, and hand the dumbbell to your partner. Now twist to the other side and grab the dumbbell from her.
Complete 15 reps, then switch directions and repeat.Â