Personal training or group classes - which is better? Expert opinion

Every day gym classes are gaining more and more popularity among those who want to keep their bodies in shape all year round. Long-time supporters of a healthy lifestyle have already tried all kinds of training formats and were able to choose one thing: personal training with a trainer or group training. But beginners have a hard time. Is it worth overpaying for a personal coach? Will it be comfortable to train with a whole group? Or maybe you should try to master the gym on your own? We answer all these questions together with the expert of “Championship”, wellness coach Andrei Semesjov.

Inhoudsopgave

Personal training

Of course, if you have never exercised in your life or at least if you haven’t kept fit with regular walks in the fresh air, you may need help during training in the gym. The first thing that comes to mind is working out with a personal trainer.

Voordelen

Individualized training plan: all workouts will be tailored to your physical abilities.
High efficiency: a competent trainer will monitor the correctness of the exercises to achieve maximum results.
Low probability of injury: the trainer will supervise you during the exercises.
Constant motivation: a professional coach will always find the right words to encourage you during a challenging workout.
Personal schedule: you can always adjust your workout schedule and come to the gym when it is convenient for you.

Nadelen

High cost: on average, one session with a trainer costs 2-2,5 thousand rubles.
Incompetent trainer: you may get an unprofessional who will do more harm than good to your physical form.
Lack of like-minded people: you are alone in achieving your goal, so very soon you may get bored with the gym.

Group classes

Group training is an equally popular format for working out. In modern fitness clubs, several separate rooms are allocated at once in order to hold scheduled classes there. Together with the group you can attend stretching, yoga, pilates, dance, aerobics and many other fitness programs.

Voordelen

Any fitness level is welcome: from beginner to advanced athlete, group classes are suitable for everyone.
Total immersion: you are fully immersed in the workout, as no one and nothing distracts you during a group class.
Increased efficiency due to competitiveness: you are constantly watching the other group training attendees and motivate yourself to be better than them.
Large selection of directions: you can always find a fitness program to your liking.

Nadelen

Less attention of the trainer: usually there are from 20 to 30 people at the class, so the trainer will not be physically able to pay attention to everyone.
Strict class schedule: you won’t be able to reschedule your workout if you need to.
High risk of injury or ineffective training: the trainer does not have time to keep track of everyone.

Can I work out at the gym on my own?

There is no right answer to this question. After all, if you have been working out for a long time with a personal trainer or weekly group classes and have learned almost the entire set of exercises offered, you can safely try to move to independent training. But if you are a beginner and you are unfamiliar with most of the equipment in the gym, then independent training can be dangerous.

Andrei: First of all, independent training is a risk of injury. Improper technique, especially in exercises with free weights (dumbbells, barbells), can lead to unpleasant consequences – pinches, sprains. Working in simulators partially removes these risks. The second point is the danger of… not getting the cherished result. Incorrectly calculated loads or number of approaches/repeats can slow down progress, or even nullify it. That is, you regularly go to the gym, move from one machine to another, push/pull/lift something, but it has no effect on your appearance. And even the working weights are always the same.
But I am not trying to convince everyone that there is no use going to the gym without a personal trainer, on your own. Of course it’s not. It is not some super wisdom that is available only to the chosen few. Everything is simple enough, but you need to prepare yourself to understand a little bit of the basic principles. Watch videos, read a couple of articles. In general, spend time. Or money to pay for the services of a personal trainer. Depending on what you have more.

How to choose the right format of training?

And now let’s summarize what is still better: personal training or group classes? Everything here is purely individual. Both formats will help you lose excess weight and achieve the desired physical shape, but which one to choose is up to you.
If you are ready to overpay for personal training and like to do sports alone under the strict control of a professional, then the first option is definitely for you. You will always be comfortable, and the efficiency of training will increase many times over. The most important thing is to find a competent and experienced trainer who will enjoy working out with you.

Andrei: There are no universal recipes for choosing a personal trainer. A couple of tips. First, do not be afraid to ask about the profile education, advanced training courses. The era of basement self-taught is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Most likely, in the foreseeable future in Russia will finally appear professional standards for personal trainers gym. But until they do not exist, it is better to clarify.

Do not rush to take a block of 5-10 workouts at once. Start with one. Honestly state that you want to see how comfortable you are with the interaction.
Finally, observe other clients. Especially those who have been working out with this trainer for a long time, don’t hesitate to ask what exactly they like about the specialist’s work.

And in no case be afraid to refuse services if you are uncomfortable communicating with the coach. Of course, he makes you lift all sorts of heavy things, tortures you, but in the end, the classes should be a joy. This is not a cab where you can sit in the back seat and, having asked to turn off the radio, look out the window all the way.

Group training should be chosen by those who do not want to be under the constant supervision of a trainer and like to work out in a warm and pleasant company. Group trainings are very often not only joint exercises, but also socializing, as well as sharing experiences and opinions. You don’t have to pay extra money for individual consultations, you can train with other visitors of the fitness club, motivating yourself to become better than them.

Andrei: Of course, group training is more effective than repeating the same movements in front of a TV screen. The music is the same, the trainer shows the same movements, but there is no magic of training together. Your companions will energize you, you will definitely put more effort in order not to seem “the worst”. That means you’ll get better results.

Only experienced gym-goers should start training on their own to avoid injuries and health problems.