Your Fit Finder
Tailoring your health club experience to your needs
Creating experiences for their customers is where most impactful companies excel. In the fitness realm, there are many ways to create meaningful experiences for members. One-on-one personal training, small group training, and group fitness classes can each deliver incredible opportunities for participants to improve their fitness levels in an organized environment. Depending on what your personality is, how you respond to coaching, your current fitness level, and what advancements you want to make will all impact your decision on which is the right solution for you.
For the beginner: For someone who is brand new to exercise, a handful of one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer to get started is the way to go. These sessions will help the new exerciser understand the basic components of a fitness program as well as teach them proper form and technique which is essential for safety and effectiveness. The trainer can help guide their client to other forms of exercise (small group training, group exercise or independent workouts) that can complement the work they are doing with the trainer.
For the experienced exerciser: All of these forms would add a beneficial challenge if they are a change to their current routine.
One-on-one training could be beneficial to someone wanting to get more specific with his or her fitness (i.e., increase power output or if they are training for an event such as a race). Small group training and group exercise typically focus on several aspects of fitness and for someone with a specific goal, this might not work for them.
Small group training adds the team-like factor to the workout. This helps to add a bit of competitive edge, pushing people to outperform either their last set or to be the best exerciser on the team. That paired with a coach and an entire group cheering each other on can really up the intensity of the experience.
Group exercise may feel a little less intense depending on the class. But this could be a good thing. Go too hard for too long and injuries are bound to happen. An experienced exerciser might see significant improvements by trying a group fitness class that utilizes different motion than their usual routine. Do you find yourself running on the treadmill often? Try a Zumba class that moves you forwards and backward but also laterally. Always lifting weights?
How about trying yoga that incorporates bodyweight strength poses, balance, and flexibility, all of which are essential for improving overall strength and power!
PLUSSES AND MINUSES
Personal Training
PLUS
+ Workouts designed specifically for your individual (and evolving) goals.
+ Individualized attention allows for the trainer to make form corrections and customize workouts around any imbalance or injury.
+ Follow-up communications, motivation, goal adjustment, and workout plans for when you’re not training.
+ Highly focused personal accountability and goal attainment.
+ Workout times/dates set to your schedule/availability.
+ Workouts can be changed in the moment to cater to clients needs THAT day.
MINUS
– Highest price point.
– Workouts performed privately. No group to draw energy from.
Small Group
PLUS
+ Enjoy time with like-minded, motivated individuals.
+ Cost efficient since splitting cost amongst several people.
+ Individual feedback from trainer provides customized modifications to group prescribed exercises.
+ Instructor will demonstrate moves then monitor the participants to ensure safety and effectiveness.
MINUS
– Less individual attention than personal training. Trainer time/focus is split among all participants.
– Workouts catered to entire group, not individual goals.
– Times are pre-set.
Group Exercise
PLUS
+ Form, cues given to entire group rather than individual.
+ Instructor is at front of class performing workout as they lead.
+ Motivation from group camaraderie and pumping music.
+ Included gratis in membership dues.
MINUS
– Very little individual attention.
– Class times are pre-set.
– Workout pace/exercises are set to meet the majority of the participants’ needs. Although modifications can be taught/added if class size allows and instructor has time.