Exercise Buddy Fallacy?

I've seen it several times as a group fitness instructor. You'll have two new people who come to class together. One is usually the "leader" while the other is the "follower." These are your "exercise buddies."
 
But when the leader decides to not come to class, then the follower won't show up either.
 
What's sad is that several times I would see the follower enjoying class. This person would give great reviews and tell me how much they love coming. BUT if the leader doesn't show up, then I also won't see the follower. And I thought this person really liked my class! But apparently the only thing that matters is if the leader shows up to class as well. 
 
There is nothing wrong with having an exercise buddy! Having a buddy is a way to encourage each other to stay on the right road. However, when one buddy becomes the "leader" while the other becomes the "follower," then it's not a good relationship. One person would determine the outcome for the other, and this shouldn't be the case. An exercise-buddy system is designed to hold each other accountable.
 
Or in other words, if one person decides not to show up to class, then the other person ought to show up to be an example to the other. Remember: it's YOUR health, not your partner's. It's YOUR life, not your partner's. Just as your partner needs to encourage you, you need to do the same.

---