A study of 1,000 women found that 64 per cent  of those who run, go to the gym or attend group exercise classes with chums will  push themselves harder than if they went alone. Those who exercise together train for longer,  burn more calories and go to the gym more often. The study shows 31 per cent of women consider their friends to be the motivation they need to stay in good shape.  The study shows that during an average exercise sessionho exercise with friends burn up to 236 calories, compared to 195 for girls who train alone.





A spokesman for Virgin Active Health Clubs, which carried out the research, said:

• 'We all have a need to socialise and be  with other people, it’s written into our DNA. 
• 'Sometimes having an exercise partner is the difference between sitting on the couch in the evening and getting up and out of  the house.
• 'You are less likely to let a friend down and  it is more fun.
• 'Many women will spur each other on, and  provide their friends with the incentive they need to get going. 
• 'Most importantly, having a friend to exercise with makes it more fun - and as well as training hard they can also  catch up and treat the experience as another social event.'