Personal Training or Group Instruction? Which is right for you?

When starting a new fitness program or evaluating your current one, there are many variables to consider. There are the more obvious factors, like the type of exercise you prefer and the time of day that best suits your schedule. But another variable often gets overlooked—whether you’ll find more success and enjoyment in a group setting or a private one.  

A client of mine, who I’ll call Tara, once confessed that she dreaded participating in fitness classes. Tara was in the beginning stages of a new routine trying to lose weight she had gained over the summer and decided to try group training sessions. After a few weeks, instead of feeling positive and motivated, she felt intimidated and unsuccessful compared to other participants who were leaner and more advanced. Tara made a commitment to get fit but realized she couldn’t do it in a group environment, at least not yet. Her solution was individual training sessions. In the one-on-one environment Tara thrived and ultimately achieved a level where she was finally able to re-join the group and feel successful and confident.   

To the contrary, another client who I’ll call Susan found no success with private instruction. Susan felt isolated and as though she wasn’t pushing herself as she knew she could. Consequently, she joined group classes and was invigorated by the power of the pack and friendly competition. In that setting, Susan achieved her goal to become stronger with improved endurance.

In addition to enjoyment and success there are other considerations such as cost, size of the group and time constraints. Although you may prefer personal training, the fees can add up with instructors charging anywhere from $80 per hour and up. Alternatively, group exercise may make more financial sense, but you’ll have less flexibility when it comes to the timing of your workouts. In this regard, private lessons prevail since you can make your own schedule. And when considering group classes, size may matter. You might find a large crowd intimidating and may want to look for programs that limit the number of attendees. Or, the energy from many participants may be just what you need to succeed. It all depends on your personality and preference.

Before making a long-term commitment to any program, consider a trial period.  Trainers and health clubs often offer free or discounted sessions to new starters. Once you’ve found your style, determine how you can maximize your participation and minimize your cost. Package purchases—where you generally pay less per lesson when purchasing multiple lessons up-front—are usually the most cost-effective way to go. Because after all, you want to get fit but not break the bank in the process!  

So what’s your style? Solo or group mentality? I’m curious to hear which method keeps you motivated.    

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