Are you looking for someone to work out with? If so, then this review is for you!

USE THE INTERNET

Is there anything that the Internet can't provide? Online resources seem endless.

And so it is for using the Internet to find a workout partner. Here are several web sites that we are aware of:

• Meet Up (www.MeetUp.com) (free) would be a good place to start. They have countless common-interest groups in all major cities. Signing up with a group is free.

• Fit Link (www.FitLink.com) ($5, one-time): Fit Link was launched by Katherine Proctor Charlier, an ACE-certified personal trainer and a certified yoga instructor. She is also a Radio City Rockette. You can search for exercise partners by entering a zip code and selecting from dozens of different sports and activities (ie., softball, boxing, climbing, mountain biking, Pilates, tennis, walking, etc.) Non-members can browse Member profiles but can't post messages. This site has a lot of extra features: In addition to connecting workout partners, the site allows users to track their workouts, swap ideas, share jogging routes, and locate gyms. In the "Resources" area of the web site is a library of health and fitness articles. In the Workouts section, users are provided with a library of specific exercises each with color photos demonstrating proper technic.

• AthLinks (www.AthLinks.com): There's a lot of "connecting" going on here. This site appears to cater to serious runners. It was started in February 2005 and was originally called VirtuRace.com. It was re-launched in October 2006 under the present name. By May 2008, it had over 35,000 members. In 2013, ChronoTrack (a company focused on race timing) acquired Athlinks. As of January 2019, it now boasts more than 650,000 members and has cataloged more than 235 million race finish times! If you've run a race in the past 10 years, your results are likely available here.

Users can post their own personal profile and summarize their race results. The site states that over 1 million race results are added into the database every month. In addition, there is an extensive library of links and manufacturer groups. One really unique aspect of this site is the "Know Your Rivals" feature. Here, the web site matches your race results against anyone you have raced against at least 3 times. Thus, this site might be more accurately described as a "Find Your Competitors" resource.

Several sites appear to be more focused on dating than on exercising:

• Exercise Friends (www.ExerciseFriends.com) (free): This site resembles an online dating service, but the premise is on finding someone to exercise with.  Users can post their profile and their interests.  The site has a versatile search engine.  Non-members can browse member profiles, but can't contact them.

• Fitness Dates (www.FitnessDates.com) (free): This site claims to be "The #1 Fitness Dating Community on the Net!" Non-members cannot browse Member profiles until after signing-up.

• FitSingles (www.FitSingles.com): As of January 23, 2019, it appears this site has not yet launched.

• Fitness Singles (www.Fitness-Singles.com) (free): This site claims to be "...the world's largest online dating community for sports and fitness enthusiasts." It requires non-members to create a login in order to browse Member profiles.

If you're interested in participating in organized walks, consider this:

• Walk With A Doc (www.WalkWithADoc.org) (free): Cardiologist David Sabgir, MD, founded Walk With A Doc in Columbus, Ohio in 2005. Today there are over 400 chapters worldwide. These are organized walks actually coordinated by physicians. No registration is required. Before the walk, the physician gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. While your physician may not be your regular exercise buddy, you might find one! And, you might be able to get some of your medical questions answered, too.

SUMMARY

Considering the vast number of web sites on the Internet, certainly, more sites like this exist. But, if you are looking for someone to work out with, that should get you started!

EXPERT HEALTH and FITNESS COACHING

Stan Reents, PharmD, is available to speak on this and many other exercise-related topics. (Here is a downloadable recording of one of his Health Talks.) He also provides a one-on-one Health Coaching Service. Contact him through the Contact Us page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan Reents, PharmD, is a former healthcare professional. He is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In the past, he has been certified as a Health Fitness Specialist by ACSM, as a Certified Health Coach by ACE, as a Personal Trainer by ACE, and as a tennis coach by USTA. He is the author of Sport and Exercise Pharmacology (published by Human Kinetics) and has written for Runner's World magazine, Senior Softball USA, Training and Conditioning and other fitness publications.