Training Partners and the Inner Drive

Mak
Jun 23
2 min read

Category: Coaching / Motivation / Powerlifting

Arnold Schwarzenegger always emphasized the value of having a good training partner. Someone who pushes you. Someone who spots you when the weights get heavy and laughs with you when the work gets tough.

Over the past 10 months, I’ve had the pleasure of coaching and training alongside Robert, my training partner and I have to say, it’s been a blast.

Coaching Robert to the World Stage

Robert recently competed at the World Open Powerlifting Championships in Rome, and watching him step onto that international platform filled me with pride. In just 10 months, he’s gone from strength to strength both physically and mentally.

Coaching him hasn’t just been rewarding; it’s been fun. Robert brings humour to every session, throwing in sharp one-liners between lifts and keeping the gym energy light. He reminds me a lot of myself someone who takes the lifting seriously but doesn’t take life too seriously.

Because here’s the truth: you’ve got to enjoy this. You can’t train angry every day. Some days, a laugh is as important as a lift.

The Best Training Partner? Your Vision.

As much as I’ve loved training with Robert, I’ve always believed this:

The best training partner you’ll ever have is your own vision.

30 years ago, as I prepared for the British Powerlifting Championships, I trained in a cold, damp basement alone. No cameras. No applause. Just me, the weights, and a dream.

I lifted heavy. Really heavy. And if anything had gone wrong, no one would’ve heard me. But what kept me going wasn’t a spotter it was purpose.

That vision of who I wanted to become. That hunger to prove something to myself. That drive to unlock greatness when no one was watching.

Arnold Was Right And So Was the Basement

Arnold was right about training partners, they can make you better. But when the platform is yours alone… it’s just you, the bar, and what you believe you’re capable of.

That’s where champions are made. Not in the noise but in the silence.

So yes, I’m grateful for Robert. He reminds me to laugh. To coach. To lead.

But I never forget: I was forged in solitude by my own goals, not by applause.

Mak Singh