Having a gym partner means some mornings you show up for them, and some mornings they drag you. That’s the deal.

Two people rarely want it on the same morning, and that is the entire point of the arrangement. On the days you would have skipped, somebody waiting does the work your motivation could not. On their bad days you are the one waiting. Nobody is carrying anybody, the load just moves back and forth.

If you already have a partner for something, say this part out loud so it does not turn into resentment later. If you do not, ask somebody for a fixed time and place instead of a vague sometime. The promise is to a person, which is why it holds.