1.They help you make it to the gym

If you were to go to the gym alone, you would make any excuse not to go. Finding someone who lives at the gym is a great first step. Or find someone who is looking at your same goal of working off the cake you both ate earlier today. Whoever you choose, know they will make time for you and map out their day (and your day) for this very precious time.

2. They're honest

Why have someone say "I love the gym, its so much fun!" while they cry after the first set of weighted squats? Your body cannot handle the lies. Gym buddies will never sugar coat the true pains you feel working out. They watch your form and will correct it in an instant. They just want to make sure you are not cheating and cutting corners. Or embarrassing them for your lack of gym knowledge

3.They open your eyes to new exercises

You made a routine during the summer and haven't changed it ever since. Your gym buddy will show you so many new machines and ways to work with the kettle-bell. So get ready to try some dead bugs.It might seem weird and hard at first, but your gym buddy will be there to make sure it is an easy transition. There will never be a dull workout when you two are together.

4. They motivate you

You're coming up on your last rep of 10 for chest press and you want to push to 12. If you were alone, you know you would stick to 10. Your gym buddy has something else in mind. They see your face in pain and will stand there yelling at you to finish strong and work through it. Why else would you go with them if you didn't want an obnoxious cheerleader?

5. They feel your pain

You both had a nice hard workout and you pushed each other through abs. Walking back to your room, you start to feel it kick in. When you head out to go to the bar, your friends start to yell at you to speed up. Only your gym buddy will understand why you cannot keep their fast pace. And they will linger behind with you.

6. They're proud of you

You made it through a new milestone and your gym buddy is the first one to celebrate. Whether its a PR or being able to run for a longer period of time, they will tell you how amazing the journey was for them. They watched you from the beginning and now it is like sending their firstborn off to college. They know if you go to the gym alone, you will keep up the good work. But don't be afraid to call for help.

7. You're proud of them

You made it through, but not alone. You are so happy that your gym buddy was there to push you, and in the process, made them better. They stuck by your side even when you yelled at them how you refuse their crazy planks. They pushed you and you pushed them. In the end, you both made huge milestones, and you wouldn't want to share it with anyone else. So when people ask how you look so good, you grab your phone, pull a picture up of your gym buddy, and say "that's why"