I love working with my clients – whether 1-2-1 or in a group. The main concern for me is which environment is going to be of the greatest benefit. Group vs solo exercise success can hinge on individual preference, personality, objectives, commitment, time frame and environment.

Any PT can design exercise routines that achieve their clients’ desired goals : be it in solo or group
workout scenarios e.g. “bootcamps”. It simply hinges on individual needs rather than the
number of “exercisers”!

Going solo

Most important are the elements that make up the exercise program that does it for you.
For example, some people want flexibility in their schedule, so that they can work out whenever it suits them. They don’t have to “fit in” with anyone else’s time frame. A 1-2-1 Personal Trainer is also able to
design an exercise programme to offer a perfect match to the client’s goals and needs. This can
include advice and guidance honed by direct and close-up observation of the physical attributes and
capabilities of the client.

One obvious benefit of solo exercise with a PT is that the pace of each session is dictated by the
client (in conjunction with the PT) and cannot be controlled by the progress of (or comparison to) others, as may happen in a group situation.

In a 1-2-1 situation, as well as tailoring exercises which suit the individual, the PT is
also able to balance the physical and mental energy required to complete a workout: we all know
there are days when we are “up for it” and other times when we’re decidedly not!

Some clients simply don’t enjoy exercising in a group. Perhaps they are a little shy or maybe prefer
to compete with themselves rather than against others in a group, and personally I can completely understand that!

In with the gang

I also find that many people choose to exercise in a group because they feel that it helps
motivate them to try harder; it could be an element of competition which drives them to want to
achieve more. In some cases it can provide an opportunity to be ‘paired up’ with others to push each other to greater heights!

Fitness professionals are familiar with a phenomenon called the Köhler effect. This states that
members of a group work harder than they would if training alone. But don’t worry – even when working 1-2-1, I become your personal cheerleader – pushing you to achieve more and go that little bit further than you might without me!

On the other hand, I’ll often get the group members to encourage, cajole and
support each other which brings the individuals together to aim for shared goals. This can lead to real
social engagement during and after sessions and for some people, this makes their exercising more
enjoyable and attractive. And we mustn’t overlook the fact that people are more likely to attend their sessions if they know they will be missed by the rest of the group (nothing like a little peer-pressure!)

Now we shouldn’t forget the obvious….

It is entirely possible to adopt a regimen which mixes solo (121 with PT) exercising with PT-led group sessions. A lot of people thrive on the approach which delivers the best of both worlds.
(It’s important to note that, whether instructing a “lone” client or a group, one key role of the PT is
to ensure that the exercises are performed safely and with minimum risk of injury. Sometimes this is harder to monitor in a larger group setting).

So …in conclusion…
In the end, it’s what works best for you. Both training alone with your PT and training in PT-led
groups can be extremely effective and really depends on what makes YOU click. As long as you are progressing, feeling motivated and challenged and are uninjured…it’s all good!

Get in touch if you want to discuss which is best for you

Research and Acknowledgements
https://gymnstrength.com
https://restore-mentalhealth.com
https://www.elialmc.com
https://www.precisionhydration.com