Both personal training and group training are popular approaches in Singapore for achieving personal fitness goals. These two modes of training offer professional guidance and accountability, and introduce variety to your regimen, especially if you have been taking on exercise solo. But when faced with the decision, how do we choose between the two options? In this post, we explore the differences between personal training and group training, highlighting how each can serve as an effective avenue to attain sustainable results tailored to your unique needs and preferences.
What is Personal Training?
Personal training refers to individualised, one-on-one sessions between a certified fitness trainer and a client. During these sessions, the trainer directs all of their attention on you, ensuring that the exercises are suited to your fitness level and designed to help you reach your next fitness milestone. This involves understanding your fitness background, abilities and limitations. The trainer may also assist in developing plans for healthier eating and help you adopt other lifestyle changes to support your overall fitness goals.
Benefits
One of the most compelling benefits of personal training is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to schedule sessions around your existing commitments rather than carving out time for workouts. With a dedicated personal trainer, you also receive undivided attention during each session, ensuring every moment of training is maximised for progress. Personal training is strongly recommended for beginners, as your trainer can customise a regimen according to your goals, and provide a private environment where you can progress at your own pace.
Downsides
Unlike group sessions, personal training offers interaction and motivation solely from the fitness trainer. This can present to be more challenging if the client feels the trainer is not a good fit for them in terms of personality, style or approach. Additionally, personal training is often more expensive, which can be a potential drawback for some individuals.
What is Group Training?
Meanwhile, group training involves a qualified fitness trainer leading a fitness class for a group of individuals. These sessions offer a highly structured training experience, with a programme pre-designed by the trainer to suit a diverse range of participants, focusing on general strength, conditioning and endurance. To accommodate the variety of participants, group classes often also exist in a wide range of workout styles. While the time is shared among the group, the trainer is still available to step in and provide assistance whenever necessary.
Benefits
Participants often feel a sense of camaraderie and energy in group training sessions that drives them to push themselves further. This collective atmosphere encourages accountability and consistency, while also nurturing social interaction opportunities. The high-octane nature of group classes also acts as a great stress reliever and makes the workout feel less burdensome or stressful. Moreover, group training tends to be more affordable since the cost is shared among the participants.
Downsides
Group training lacks the one-on-one focus and attention that some participants may seek to accelerate their progress, such as for corrections to their form. Since you’re working out alongside others, there are compromises to be made, including less flexibility with scheduling conflicts and the need to accommodate varying fitness levels that may not align with your current abilities. Some individuals may also feel self-conscious or lose confidence as they compare themselves to other participants.
Selecting What Works Best for You
You can be one step closer to selecting the right mode of training by assessing your fitness goals and personal preferences. Ultimately, both styles are designed to challenge both your mind and body, and each offers unique advantages. It all comes down to what matters most to you.
Individualised Attention
This is the clearest distinction between personal and group training. With personal training, you benefit from the focused attention of your dedicated trainer, allowing them to zero in on technique, prevent injury, and identify areas for improvement.
Customisable Support
Personal trainers are responsible for developing tailored exercise plans for each individual client, whereas group training entails programmes generalised for a broader range of clients. You might find the personal training approach more favourable if you have specific fitness goals in mind, such as training for a competition or building muscle and strength, as your trainer can help you adjust the regimen based on how you’re responding to it.
Flexibility and Commitment
Most personal trainers prioritise their clients and organise their time around their clients’ schedule. In contrast, group training sessions often have fixed timeslots, offering less flexibility in terms of timing. Thus, personal training may make it easier for you to stay committed to your fitness goals.
Pricing and Affordability
Personal training is considered less budget-friendly because it does not come at the expense of devoted attention and tailored programmes, which require a higher investment of time and expertise from the trainer.
Social Opportunities
Many participants are drawn to the social environment lent by group training sessions, which can consist of anywhere from four to over 20 people in a single class. The social element can prove to be a significant source of motivation and accountability for some.
Sense of Community
A sense of belonging, finding people who resonate with you, and forming your own support system are all strong incentives for people who might lean towards group training, as these opportunities may be harder to come by in one-on-one sessions.
Equipment and Facilities
Personal training may allow for more tailored access to equipment and better use of facilities, as group training may require you to share the resources with others within a fixed timeframe.
Comparison Table
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Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between personal training and group training, it really boils down to your personal goals and what you enjoy most. If you like having a trainer all to yourself, with workouts tailored just for you, and the flexibility to fit sessions into your schedule, personal training could be the way to go. But if you thrive in a social environment, love the energy of a group, and want a more budget-friendly option, group training might be a better fit. In the end, it’s about finding what motivates you and what will help you stick to your fitness goals for the long haul.
Not sure which might work better for you? Speak to our fitness professionals at FITLUC and let us help you determine the best option after evaluating your fitness goals and preferences. Our gym specialises in in-person training and is equipped with top-notch facilities, perfect for all kinds of fitness journeys. Contact us at 8812 0110 or book a Personal Training Trial to have a taste of personal training firsthand, without any long-term commitment!
