Hailey Friedman
Hailey Friedman is a San Francisco resident passionate about sharing tips and advice on health, wellness, and the best fitness services in San Francisco.
If you’re looking for a way to make your workouts a more personalized experience, consider small group personal training. This training method provides individuals with the benefits of private personal training consultations, but at a more affordable cost and alongside your peers.
Many of the best gyms in major cities have trained personal trainers who offer small group personal training sessions. Within these sessions, individuals will undergo intense conditioning and hone their skills and strength.
If you’re interested in learning more about small group personal training, keep reading!
What is Small Group Personal Training?
Small group personal training can range from one-on-one training to small groups. This group training method inspires camaraderie among the participants and makes working out fun, which is always one of the main goals. Small group personal sessions are also a popular way for couples and partners to work out together.
Small group training differs from traditional group workout classes, as the trainers of these sessions act as personalized instructors to all of the class participants, rather than someone standing up and doing the movement with the class.
These groups are usually made up of 10 people or fewer and the training classes can go on for years, if you so desire. Personal training sessions can also shift focus as you go, depending on what the group is interested in and the skills that you already have.
Benefits of Training In Small Groups
There are several reasons why people prefer small group personal training compared to large classes or individualized workouts. Here are some of the main benefits of training in small groups.
Increased Motivation
Small group personal training boosts camaraderie between participants and creates a more fun and accepting environment. When you work out with your friends, partner, or the same group every week, you’re creating bonds and supporting each other.
Having a personal relationship with your workout buddies can also help encourage healthy lifestyles outside of the class. When you work out in a small group, you’re building a network and community that will support your fitness and wellness goals.
Less Expensive
Small group personal training is often more affordable than one-on-one sessions. Of course, the price often depends on where your instructor is located, how many participants are in the group, and how personalized you want the session to be.
Personal trainers can cost anywhere between $60 to $120 per hour, while small group training might only cost $15-$45 per person. Of course, this range can go lower or higher, depending on your trainer’s credentials and your location.
Variety of Workouts
There are so many ways you can workout with small group personal training. Whether you’re interested in partner work or you’d like to switch up the workout style every session, talk to your personal trainer and see if they can infuse variety into your workout sessions. Of course, your trainer will let you know which workouts are the best for you and your group’s fitness goals, but it’s unlikely that you’ll ever get bored in these sessions.
Personalized Session
Whether you’d like to book your trainer for a one-on-one session, or you’re sticking with the group, trainers still personalize their workouts for each individual. Small group training sessions differ from other workout classes, as the instructor has time to correct all the participants’ forms and modify the workout to help everyone achieve their personal goals.
How to Find a Personal Trainer
Finding a personal trainer who will fit your needs and help you and your small group achieve your fitness goals is essential to your overall success. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re looking for the best personal trainer in your area.
1. Establish your personal goals
Before you start looking for a personal trainer, establish your personal goals. Knowing what you want your instructor to help you with and the specific milestones you’d like to hit are crucial things to know before jumping into one-on-one or small group training.
2. Set a budget
Once you establish your personal goals, it’s time to determine a budget. Small group personal training sessions are often more affordable than one-on-one sessions, but they can still get expensive, especially if your group meets regularly. Set a budget with the participants in your group and determine how often you would like to meet for your group personal training sessions.
3. Decide on location
The next step you’ll want to take to find the best personal trainer in your area is to decide where you want to meet your trainer. Some personal trainers make house calls for one-on-one and group training sessions if there’s enough room and equipment.
If anyone is in the San Francisco area, for example, Live Fit Gym has several personal trainers and small group personal training options available. If you and your group want to experience fitness like never before, check out Live Fit Gym’s personal training studios and available classes. Live Fit Gym provides a personalized training experience for small groups and individualized sessions.
Live Fit Gym provides several added benefits and features for its members. From spas to workout classes to massage therapy, this renowned doctor-owned gym provides an unparalleled, holistic fitness experience.
Check out Live Fit Gym today and meet some of the best personal trainers in San Francisco.
4. Research personal trainers near you
Once you’ve decided where you want to meet for your small group personal training sessions, it’s time to research personal trainers. Some gyms list their personal trainers on their websites, while other instructors have their own personal sites. Do a bit of research and find the best personal trainers in your area for your specific fitness goals.
5. Ask questions
Once you have a good list of local personal trainers in your area, ask them some questions to make sure they’ll be able to fit in with your group and help the group’s participants meet their goals. Here are some common topics you might want to go over:
- What are your specialties?
- What are your certifications?
- Do you work with individuals with [insert specific needs]?
- How do you approach personalized training in a group training session?
- How do you measure success?
6. Schedule a consultation
If the personal trainer meets you and your group’s needs, you can book a consultation and meet with them. Many gyms and personal trainers offer a free or discounted consultation to make sure both of you are a good fit. During this consultation, you can get a better understanding of how your instructor works, what one-on-one sessions will look like, and whether or not they can do small group personal training.
7. Start your small group personal training!
If your consultation goes well and everything seems like a good fit, it’s time to start your small group personal training! Make sure the personal training schedule works for everyone in your group and continue to meet regularly to start seeing results.
Tips for Personal Training In Small Groups
If you’re thinking about joining a small group fitness session, there are a few things you might want to do to prepare. Whether your workout is with a small group or partner personal training, these tips can help you succeed in your workout sessions and get the most out of your classes.
Arrive Early
It’s always a wise idea to show up to your training sessions a little earlier. This gives you wiggle room in case you run into traffic or have a minor setback or you simply want extra time to stretch before your session. If you’re working out with your friends or partner, arriving early also gives you time to catch up with them before you start.
Dress Comfortably
Whatever you choose to wear, make sure you feel comfortable and can move easily throughout the session. It might also be a good idea to check what kind of workout your trainer has planned. A yoga class, for example, has a different dress code than a kickboxing class.
Stay Hydrated & Eat Something
Bring a water bottle to class and make sure to drink up before, during, and after your session. Experts suggest people drink 17-20 ounces before working out, 8 ounces every 10 minutes, and 16 ounces after their workout, for maximum hydration. It’s also best to eat something light before the session to ensure you are well-energized and to avoid fainting! A small energy bar or light snack before your workout should do the trick.
Communicate with Your Personal Trainer
Communication is key to ensuring a positive relationship with your personal trainer. Before you start your small group fitness classes, share any concerns, specific goals, or exercises you might not be comfortable with. Remember, your personal trainer is there to help you have the best fitness experience.
One of the biggest benefits of signing up for a small group fitness class is that your trainer can still give you personalized notes and attention during the class. Because fitness and exercise are so personal, it’s always a good idea to check in with your trainer and keep them updated if any of your goals or preferences change while you’re working with them.
More About Small Group Personal Training
If you’re still curious about anything related to small group personal training, how to get into it, and whether or not it’s for you, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Is small group personal training worth it?
Yes. Small group personal training is an excellent choice for anyone who would like to work out with their friends and achieve their fitness goals in a welcoming and encouraging environment. Although typical group fitness classes offer a diverse range of options for exercises, they are not as personalized to each individual, due to their size.
Small group personal training allows everyone in the group to get the unique and personalized attention they need within their sessions to achieve their goals.
How does small group personal training work?
Once your group has decided on a personal trainer, they will contact you about where to meet, what to bring, and all the other details. During your workout session, your trainer usually won’t join your workout session or complete it in front of you, as they do in typical group classes. Instead, they will actively correct your posture and form, and modify the exercises to fit everyone’s individual needs.
How much does small group training cost?
Small group training is typically more affordable for each person than one-on-one sessions. While the cost depends on the trainer, gym, location, and the number of participants, the average individual should expect to pay $15-$45 per session.
Find Small Group Personal Training Near You
If you’re interested in small group personal training, get your group together and find a trainer near you. This type of training and conditioning is a great way to achieve your personal goals while being surrounded by your favorite people.
For those of you who are in the Bay Area, if you’re interested in finding a qualified personal trainer, or you’d like to learn more about personalized workout plans, consider visiting Live Fit Gym.
As the only doctor-owned gym in the city, the team at Live Fit Gym believes in the healing power of the body and seeks to help all of their members achieve their health and wellness goals.
If you’d like to book a small group personal training session, or you’re interested in individualized training, check out Live Fit Gym today.
