Making Group Training Feel Like Personal Training
Group training classes have become a staple in the fitness world, enticing individuals with the promise of high-energy workouts and community spirit. However, as a former group trainer at F45, I've observed firsthand the challenges these classes often face. While there are many positives to group training, including accountability and motivation from peers, traditional group classes frequently fall short in delivering the personalized experience that many participants need. The good news? There's a way to make these classes as effective as personal training. Here's a breakdown of common issues with traditional group classes and strategies to enhance their effectiveness.
What's Wrong with Traditional Group Classes?
Lack of Personalized Attention
One of the biggest issues is the lack of individualized attention, which often leads to improper form and potential injury. With so many bodies to observe in a class, trainers can't always provide the modifications needed for each participant's unique limitations.
Inconsistent Difficulty Levels
Classes that are too challenging can deter newcomers or those at different fitness levels, while easy workouts may leave seasoned attendees unchallenged. Traditional group training often adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, which doesn't consider the vast range of participant abilities.
Limited Rest Periods
Many group classes prioritize high-intensity intervals with minimal rest to raise heart rates. This approach often turns weight workouts into cardio sessions, depriving participants of the recovery time needed for muscle growth and causing fatigue and overtraining.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Fitness levels, goals, and abilities vary widely among participants—but this isn’t always acknowledged in group sessions. Exercises are often chosen for their difficulty rather than their ability to improve fitness or functionality.
Overemphasis on Calorie Burn
Many traditional classes focus heavily on calorie burn and heart rate, sometimes neglecting important components like strength building and skill development.
Transforming Group Training
The goal is to make group training as beneficial and personalized as individual sessions, emphasizing technique, form, and participant improvement. Here's how:
1. Begin Program with Assessments
Start the program by assessing new members' fitness levels, mobility, and strength. This helps tailor modifications to individual needs, ensuring safety and allowing members to notice progress over time.
2. Structure with Progressive Overload
Rather than random, varied workouts, develop a class plan that uses progressive overload—gradually increasing the intensity of workouts to ensure that each class builds on the last.
3. Adjust in Real-Time
Provide scaled options and progressions for exercises, so participants can adjust the difficulty level according to their capabilities. This approach keeps everyone engaged and challenged appropriately.
4. Introduce Longer Rest Periods
More rest between sets allows for muscle recovery and reduces the risk of turning strength exercises into cardio. This strategy can significantly increase workout intensity and effectiveness over time.
5. Focus on Technique in Warm-Ups
Warm-ups should highlight proper form and movement efficiency rather than solely act as a heart rate booster. Teach participants how to move well from the beginning to prevent injuries during the main workout.
6. Prioritize Functional Movements
Choose exercises that improve strength and mobility rather than high-impact exercises that pose injury risks. Focus on movements that enhance everyday functionality, and also master the basics.
7. Shift Focus to Strength and Skill Development
Encourage participants to view success as improving their skills and strength, not just burning calories. Reward progress in technique and form as key measures of improvement.
8. Foster a Positive Community
Create an environment that emphasizes support and camaraderie among members. A focus on health, wellness, and growth—over short-term dietary challenges—can drive sustained progress and build a tight-knit community.
Bringing Trainers into the Growth
It's not just about improving the experience for participants; enhancing group classes also nurtures trainers' growth and development. At F45, I was known as the "mobility guy," focusing on fixing pain and improving form. By sharing knowledge and learning with fellow trainers, the quality of service improved. This improved service resulted in happier, healthier participants and stronger word-of-mouth referrals.
I believe that sharing expertise among trainers and creating a supportive environment helps grow competent leaders in the fitness space. Through continuous development and collaboration, gyms can foster a culture that rivals personal training environments, with both participants and trainers reaping the benefits.
With these strategies and a commitment to constant improvement, group training can evolve into a robust, personalized experience that caters to varied fitness levels while maintaining the camaraderie and energy that only group workouts can provide. Let's make group training as effective as personal training!