Ever have trouble getting motivated to work out? Yup, me too. I used to make excuses to stay in bed, or drag myself out and then have a lackluster run. Then about 10 years ago, I met up with one of the moms at my son’s school, a woman named Andi, and we became training partners, showing up to run together at drop-off each day.

When our boys got big enough to walk themselves to school, we kept working out, and even trained for a marathon! We'd chat about everything and anything (kids, school, family, injury prevention, etc.) and the miles ticked by. I got movie and play reviews (she is a culture vulture), and she heard about the inner workings of magazine land. We entertained each other and got faster, fitter and had so much fun in the process I was rarely tempted to skip a workout. Now we bike, run and do triathlons for fun, and it's been so much easier to stay motivated, since I know I've got a buddy out there to enjoy it with.

The research backs this up. Women who exercise with a friend are 45 percent more likely to hit the gym than those who sculpt in solitude. If you sync up with a neighbor, pal or workout buddy you find online, and meet for a power-walk, a tennis match or a gym class you've been itching to try, you'll spur each other to exercise and get to bond while you better your bods—talk about a double win!

Try this routine designed for two, from Elizabeth Hendrix Burwell, co-owner of High Performance Fitness in New York City, to tone up in tandem. Do two sets of each move up to three times a week on alternate days. You'll be partners in looking sublime!

Take sides (works butt, thighs) Stand facing each other about an arm's length apart; grasp hands. Lunge to side, mirroring partner. Lower until butt hovers above ground; pause for two counts; sit. Cross extended leg over bent leg; stand, pulling against each other. Uncross legs; repeat in opposite direction for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Lean on me (works butt, thighs) Stand back-to-back with partner; squat. Hold squat as you step your right leg and pal steps left leg to side about 12 inches; then step your left leg while pal steps her right to opposite side; step both feet back to start. Return to standing for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Palm pat (works abs, butt, thighs) Stand facing each other about 2 feet apart, hands on hips. Lunge backward with right leg. Straighten left leg as you push off ball of right foot, bringing right thigh in front and parallel to ground; high-five. Return to start. Do 10 reps. Switch legs; repeat.

Ally arabesque (works back, butt, thighs, calves ) Stand facing partner about an arm's length apart; grasp hands and squeeze butt. Mirroring partner, lift leg behind you, toes pointed. Lower leg. Rise onto balls of both feet two times; repeat on opposite side for one rep. Do 10 reps.

Five alive (works shoulders, triceps, chest, back, abs) Start facing each other in push-up position. Lower chest to ground. Push back to start. Give partner a high five. Return to push-up position for one rep. Repeat, alternating hands. Do 10 reps.

Belly buster (works abs, hips) Lie faceup, heads opposite, right hips touching. Extend legs up and grasp hands on sides. Lift hips off ground and, switching hip positions, lower legs to a 45-degree angle from ground. Left hips should now touch. Return legs to straight up. Lift hips and lower legs to opposite side for one rep. Do 16 reps.

By Lucy Danziger, SELF Editor-in-Chief