While shaking one's left hand with one's right hand is an excellent way to shake hands alone, shaking hands with another person is much more rewarding. Today’s Groupon brings the good feelings associated with a buddy system to exercise. For $49, you get two personal training sessions at Fitness Together (an up to $158 value). With eight locations in and around Seattle (excluding the distant Spokane gym), Fitness Together paves the path toward fitness with expert instruction in private settings that break free from the social antagonism of bench-press bullies.

The muscle tutors at Fitness Together work with clients to determine exercise goals for shedding pounds, running a marathon, or being strong enough to rip apart spandex. A customized workout plan is developed and catered to help exercisers reach superfit. Fitness instructors supervise squats and offer nutritional advice and encouragement to make sure you see and feel results. Individualized attention means it’s all about you—the trainer can point out when you’re doing a stretch incorrectly, help you tone trouble zones, and motivate you to keep going when you’d otherwise quit or become distracted by the fragile beauty of a passing hummingbird.

Some people are afraid to go to the gym because they don’t want to look inexperienced in front of oiled Adonis pumping iron before a mirror, but a pair of sessions at Fitness Together can inspire the confidence and knowledge essential for effortlessly plowing through any routine. Even seasoned gym rats can use today's Groupon to spicy up their routine and keep muscles on their atrophied toes.

Reviews

Citysearchers give the West Seattle, Issaquah, and Redmond Fitness Together locations perfect five-star ratings. A lone Yelper gives the Mercer Island outpost five as well:

• Here you'll find private and personalized training that starts when people actually listen to you instead of just going ahead with a one- size- fits -all training program. You get one-on-one focused training and attention. – reviewer33, Citysearch
• The highly educated staff of enthusiastic trainers knows how to motivate me through every tough session. They patiently listen to my concerns and give fitness and nutritional advice that realistically meets my needs. And, it shows in our work together. I am getting results. – LenEd, Citysearch
• Outstanding management: knowledgeable, focused on the client's success, accommodating, cheerful and witty. Very clean premises and equipment. – valeriecollymore, Citysearch