Someone I could work out with. That was the No. 1 trait I was looking for in a roommate.

Sometimes I like to go to the gym alone to blow off steam, but it’s usually better to go with a friend. I like encouragement. I like competition. I need someone to challenge me to perform my best at all times.

Having a friend who shares your passion for working out is always a plus; he or she is there to yell at you and be your coach. These are some tips to find that perfect partner!

Someone who can get your butt out of bed in the morning

This is probably the most important factor. You have to find someone who will encourage you to get out of bed and go to the gym. I am not a morning person by any means, so I needed a really good friend to motivate me to be a real person in the morning.

Someone who doesn’t mind looking ridiculous with you

If you’re going to take a fitness class, lift weights or even just run, you might look funny. It happens. But if you’re already doing it, why not look like an idiot with a friend? Find someone who shares your same awkwardness and go for it!

Someone whom you don’t mind being yelled at by

A gym buddy is there to motivate you, and that means he or she might have to yell and scream at you until you do that push-up properly. My gym buddy isn’t afraid to tell me when I am doing an exercise wrong, and I love her for it. She also isn’t afraid to tell me when she knows I am just being lazy and not actually trying. This is key in a gym buddy.

Someone who loves to do the same exercises

I’m a swimmer, so I love finding people who like to swim. There’s no use in finding someone who wants to do completely different things than you. If you love ab workouts, find someone else who loves them, too!

Someone who is just as competitive as you

Find someone who will be just as engaged in whatever activity you are doing. For me, this is swimming. I want to find someone I can race or even just chase in the pool. Going to the gym is all about bettering yourself, so look for someone who shares that same desire to be the best they can be.

Go out there and find the ideal gym buddy for you. See you at Eppley.