Here are the pros and cons of group training and personal training that you should know about!
If you’re torn between trying personal training or opting for a group fitnessclass, then you’re not alone. This is a common dilemma that many fitness enthusiasts have, and this is partly because group fitness classes like Yoga, Pilates, Barre and Zumba have blown up in popularity throughout recent years.
However, there are many awesome benefits of choosing one-on-one personal training sessions with one of the Rising Legends experts as well. So we understand how it can be tough decision, and below we’ll be detailing the benefits and drawbacks of both personal training and group fitness training in order to help you better understand which strategy is right for matching your unique needs!
Benefits of Personal Training
The following benefits are some of the common reasons why a fitness enthusiast may want to choose personal training sessions, as opposed to group fitness exercises:
1. Supervision & Safety
Personal trainers do a lot more than just make workouts fun for their clients, and a personal trainer’s primary role is to keep participants safe by exercising with proper alignment and form.
Because personal trainers provide undivided, one-on-one attention, they’ll be there for you when you need adjustments. This essentially means that personal trainers can significantly reduce your risks of incurring an injury while working out.
2. Personalized Fitness Results
Group fitness classes are always oriented around a one-size-fits-all approach that offers unique variations for different athletic levels, which means that most group workouts will derive from general fitness principles.
It’s the exact opposite with personal training sessions, because your trainer will thoroughly evaluate your unique strengths and weaknesses in order to adapt your workout goals based upon your fitness levels, health history and body type. Personal trainers can also personalize your workout routine to better coincide with what you’re looking to get out of each training session.
3. Step-By-Step Motivation
Although group workouts include plenty of motivation, it’s not as comprehensive as the motivation that you’ll receive from a personal trainer. Personal trainers will be there for you throughout each movement and rep, and they’ll provide better encouragement because they’ll actually know your unique strengths and fitness goals.
Personal trainers also keep track of each client’s results, which means they’ll be able to acknowledge your efforts on a regular basis. This type of positive reinforcement is huge for most people, and it goes much further than the sometimes cliché motivations that you’ll find in group classes.
And proper motivation can’t be stressed enough, because it’s truly essential for helping you maintain your workout routine’s consistency. Life tends to find its way toward disrupting our gym routines, but personal trainers provide that extra spark that many people need to continue their fitness journey and remain accountable!
4. Setting Fitness Goals
A lot of people get discouraged and lose fitness enthusiasm when they don’t see the progress they’d been hoping for, and this can sometimes decrease workout consistency.
In order to actually see the results that you want, you’re going to need to establish realistic goals for your fitness journey. This is often tough to do on your own, which is why personal trainers are the right professionals to help you determine your goals and establish realistic timeframes.
Personal trainers do a great job at helping you avoid discouragement and unrealistic fitness expectations, and in turn they’ll give you achievable goals that keep you motivated and tracking your progress.
Drawbacks of Personal Training
There are some drawbacks of personal training that you should know about, including:
1. More Expensive
The most common drawback of personal training as it compares to group fitness classes is that personal training is almost always more expensive. These extra costs come with one-on-one attention and personalized fitness plans that a lot of people love, but it’s important to remember that you’ll have to pay for a fitness expert’s attention and time.
Group fitness classes also typically come with a gym’s monthly membership costs, but personal training is usually an additional cost.
2. You’ll Be In The Spotlight
If you’re the type of person that feels a lot of pressure when someone is guiding or watching you, then it’s possible that you’ll find it uncomfortable to work with a personal trainer.
Maybe you like blending in a group setting more than one-on-one workouts, and it’s important to remember that your personal trainer is there to make sure that you do your very best and avoid any slacking.
Advantages of Group Fitness Classes
Group fitness classes have grown in popularity throughout recent years for a lot of reasons, and some of the common advantages of participating in group classes include the following:
1. More Affordable
Group fitness classes are always more affordable than one-on-one personal training sessions, so group classes are often a great option when you’re on a tight budget.
Gyms like The Rising Legends Academy of Fitness include group classes as a part of monthly membership dues, and personal training is an extra charge.
2. Less Pressure
It’s common to feel a lot less pressure when you’re working out in a group setting, as compared to one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer.
You’ll be able to learn new workout movements and exercise routines without the feeling of someone watching you, and you’ll also likely learn a lot by following your instructor’s example.
Drawbacks of Group Fitness Classes
There are certain disadvantages associated with group fitness classes, including:
1. Divided Trainer Attention
Instructors naturally have to divide their attention among all of the participants within a group fitness class, which means that you won’t have as much supervision and safety as compared to personal training sessions.
Although group fitness instructors can be there for you when you need form and alignment adjustments, you won’t get one-on-one attention.
2. Higher Injury Risks
Although you’ll initially spend less on group fitness classes, you’ll likely pay more overall if you incur an injury that otherwise could’ve been avoided if you’d invested in personal training.
Injuries can also negatively impact your fitness journey, which can lead to stalls in your progress. So although group classes are often a wonderful idea, it’s important to remember how the slightly less supervision can potentially lead to more risks.
Group Training vs. Personal Training: Which Is Right For You?
Unless you’re on a tight budget, personal training tends to be the best option for most fitness enthusiasts.
Although personal training requires more upfront costs, you can save money in the long run by improving your exercise knowledge and maintaining proper form even when you’re exercising on your own. Personal training also typically leads to better results, and this is partly because personal trainers are incredibly motivating when it comes to maintaining your workout consistency.
But just because you’re investing in personal training doesn’t mean that you can’t participate in group training classes. Group training is always a fun way to meet your gym community and mix up your routine!
Reach Out To Rising Legends To Learn More About Our Group Fitness & Personal Training Programs!
There’s a lot to love about both personal training and group fitness programs, and The Rising Legends Academy of Fitness is here for you no matter which direction you’d like to go with your fitness journey.
The above pros and cons are just the beginning in terms of what you need to know about personal training and group fitness classes, and our specialists are always here to answer your questions and point you in the best direction to match your personalized needs and preferences.
We look forward to seeing you at the gym!