There are definitely pros and cons to both group and private training. Whether you are new to exercise or are a seasoned fitness enthusiast wanting to change things up a bit, weighing your options is a good idea to find out what will help you to reach your goals.

Group training:

PROS:

1. Group training is financially more affordable than private training. You can join a gym and take offered classes or purchase a series of group sessions at a private studio or boot camp type atmosphere.
2. Other people can provide motivation. If you need that extra encouragement, seeing someone else lift that heavier weight or complete the full set may help push you beyond your comfort zone.
3. Consistency and convenience of class time can help make it a habit. Seeing the same people or instructor who notices when you are not there can make you feel more accountable to showing up.

CONS:

1. Group training is an equal opportunity workout. Although modifications are offered generally to accommodate all fitness levels, the instructor cannot focus exclusively on your particular needs or desired work out focus.
2. You need to listen to your body and do what you need to do for you, not what others in class are doing to limit risk of injury and compensation. This is problem of keeping up with the Jones’. Just because someone else can do something with ease, doesn’t mean you should or can at that time.
3. There is no specific focus on your needs. Perhaps you had a hard run yesterday with some day after soreness and the instructor decided it was a leg focus day in class when you were really hoping for a core and upper body day.

Private training:

PROS:

1. The workout program is designed with you in specifically in mind. All good trainers will ask you what are your goals of training? Do you have any injuries or limitations? Maybe you just don’t like being on your stomach or want to focus on improving balance. The trainer can then design a program with your focused goals in mind to progressively challenge you to meet and potentially surpass your goals.
2. One on one personal attention. YOU are the sole focus for the hour. Training your body and not someone else. Addressing your particular needs.
3. Specific corrections to your form to make sure you are performing the exercises correctly to avoid injury and poor movement or to recover from injury.
4. Challenging workout based on where your body is, not someone else.
5. Convenience. Private training can be booked at times that you and the trainer are available, not just when the class is scheduled.