Using a rowing machine may be much easier if you have a friend doing exactly the same thing with you, according to a new report.

In the piece for the Telegraph-Journal, it was highlighted how by simply asking someone to do a work out with you, it can pave the way to a brighter future in terms of weight loss and overall health.

The news provider noted how a recent study of university crew-team members discovered that when they did rowing machine workouts together, pain thresholds were higher than when they did a punishing or gruelling workout alone.

It concluded: "The theory is that synchronised activity somehow makes you produce more of the feel-good chemicals - endorphins - responsible for letting you do more with less perceived exhaustion."

Before the end of 2009, Allegra Feamster of mylocalhealth.com said that setting broad goals for getting into shape is a successful way to drop the pounds, whether it is through aiming to drop a waist size or by simply committing to get to the gym four times a week.