Should You Train with People Better Than You?
In the world of functional fitness, group training, and cross training, one question often arises: Should I train with people who are better than me? Whether you're a weekend warrior or an aspiring athlete, the company you keep during workouts can shape your progress, mindset, and motivation. But is surrounding yourself with fitter, faster, stronger individuals always the right move? Ever ask yourself how do the best stay at the top if they don’t have anyone better to train with?
The Power of Training Up
Training with people who outperform you can be a catalyst for growth. It’s like stepping into a faster current—you’re swept along, pushed beyond your comfort zone, and exposed to new standards of excellence.
Pros of Training with Better Athletes
Accelerated Learning: You pick up techniques, habits, and strategies simply by observing and interacting with more experienced athletes.
Increased Intensity: Group training with high performers often means higher energy, faster pace, and more challenging workouts.
Mental Toughness Development: Facing tougher competition builds resilience. You learn to cope with discomfort, setbacks, and self-doubt.
Benchmarking Progress: Training with others who set the bar high gives you a clearer sense of where you stand and what’s possible.
Cons to Consider
Risk of Discouragement: Constantly being outperformed can dent your confidence, especially if you're prone to comparison.
Overtraining Temptation: Trying to keep up with advanced athletes may lead to pushing beyond safe limits, risking injury.
Loss of Autonomy: You might feel pressured to follow others’ routines rather than tailoring your training to your own goals.
Intrinsic Motivation: The Real Driver
While external factors like competition and peer pressure can spark short-term effort, long-term success in fitness hinges on intrinsic motivation—the internal desire to improve, challenge yourself, and enjoy the process.
Training with better athletes can fuel intrinsic motivation if approached with the right mindset. Instead of seeing others as threats, view them as inspiration. Celebrate their achievements, learn from their discipline, and let their presence remind you of your own potential.
Ask yourself:
Am I training to prove something to others, or to become the best version of myself?
Do I enjoy the process, or am I chasing validation?
When your motivation is rooted in personal growth, training with stronger athletes becomes a gift—not a threat.
Mental Toughness in Sport: Resources to Build Grit
Mental toughness is the ability to stay focused, resilient, and composed under pressure. It’s what separates those who quit from those who persevere. If you're looking to build this skill, here are some excellent resources:
🧠 The Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack – A practical guide to mastering the mental side of sport.
🎧 The High Performance Podcast – Interviews with elite athletes and coaches on mindset, resilience, and leadership.
📘 Grit by Angela Duckworth – Though not sport-specific, this book offers deep insight into perseverance and passion.
🏋️ TrainHeroic Blog – Offers articles on mental training, goal setting, and performance psychology tailored to functional fitness athletes.
Final Thoughts
Training with people better than you isn’t about comparison—it’s about elevation. In the context of functional fitness, group training, and cross training, it can be a powerful tool for growth if balanced with self-awareness and intrinsic motivation.
So yes, train with those who challenge you. But remember: your greatest competition is the person you were yesterday.
Don’t Wait - Start your journey with us today!
Here at the MVMT Hub, we understand that starting your CrossFit journey be daunting and challenging, but with the right mindset and our guidance, it can also be incredibly fun and rewarding. We will help you focus on building a strong foundation, listen to your body, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment as you progress through your fitness goals. Starting your CrossFit journey at Mvmt Hub/CrossFit R.A.D. means embarking on a path to better health and fitness with a supportive community and expert guidance. Remember, every journey starts with a single step. We’re here to take that step with you.
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