01 Aug Group Personal Training Is More Than Just a Fad
The ideal body image has changed dramatically over the course of human history. This is especially true for women. In ancient Egypt, women were depicted to be slender, with high-waists and slim shoulders; the Victorian era saw the hourglass figure as the ideal body type; while the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s celebrated the curvier female. Our obsession with the ideal body hasn’t waned, and the fitness industry has had to evolve as we look for new ways to improve the way we look and feel.
Exercise trends have also changed quite a bit over the years. From the fuzzy leg warmers of the 1980s to the spandex-filled spin classes of the 1990s and beyond. Personal trainers, independent studios, and large chain gyms are always looking to capitalize on the latest trends. Undeniably, the latest exercise trend is Group Personal Training:
Group Personal Training is a structured exercise program with a trainer instructing a group of 8-16 people
But why are people ditching their individualized workout routines and large group session, in favor of group personal training?
RESULTS
Arguably the greatest benefit of group personal training is the Köhler effect – a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person works harder as a member of a group than when working alone. This is because no one wants to be the weakest link, and people will exert more effort to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Let’s give you an example – Imagine you’re in the middle of a class and you’re thinking about letting up on the gas for the last couple of reps, and you see your buddy Jim smashing through his set. You’re more likely to increase your efforts to keep up with him.
Another key benefit of working with a small group is that you’re 100% accountable for your work ethic – there’s nowhere to hide! In a class of 10 people you’re always on the trainer’s radar, they can tell when you’re cheating and will call you out in front of your friends. But in a group of 50 people, you have the luxury of skipping a couple of reps, or doing push-ups on your knees.
People have also begun to realize that instructor-led classes are more likely to deliver better results than a workout plan you’ve found on Google or your iPhone. When you work with a personal trainer, on a structured exercise plan, you’re paying for an expert who will help you identify your fitness goals, and tailor a workout routine designed to help you achieve them. They’ll be sure to you motivate you and won’t let you miss a rep or two, and certainly aren’t afraid of correcting your form. But most importantly, they won’t let you skip leg day!
SOCIAL
Don’t you just hate it when you work out alone? Everybody in the gym is in their own little bubble: headphones on, volume up all the way, avoiding eye contact with each other and the only human interaction comes in the form of “you finished with that?”
This goes completely against our human needs. We are social creatures and each of us want to be part of a group. Group personal training allows us to fulfil this innate desire. At the start of the training plan you’re a bunch of strangers looking to achieve similar fitness goals, and as the weeks go by you become friends. Going to the gym becomes a social experience, you begin to look forward to your next session, and this helps you maintain your attendance and focus. Remember, friends who lift together, get ripped together!
ECONOMICS
Group personal training is a cheaper alternative to personal training, as you receive the benefits of a personal trainer – a structured training plan, nutrition advice, technique coaching and much, much more – at a discounted rate.
Many find that one-on-one personal training is completely out of their budget, but still desire the attention and knowledge that a personal trainer brings. They find that group personal training strikes the balance between their fitness goals and their financial needs.
IS GROUP PERSONAL TRAINING A FAD?
No! We’ve seen fitness trend after fitness trend fade and fizzle out, but we’re certain that group personal fitness is here to stay. Just look at the popularity of group personal training classes in St. Louis. You can go to any gym and see countless fat-burning, heart-racing fitness classes designed to shake up the monotony of your routine gym session.
With all the benefits of a one-on-one personal trainer at a fraction of the cost, we don’t see the group personal training trend dying down anytime soon!
WHAT WE OFFER
Our Group Personal Training program is by far our most popular program and consistently delivers amazing results. By combining strength training, cardio, and metabolic conditioning, you’ll finish the program stronger, leaner, and more energized than when you started.
We believe that group personal training is more than just a group of individuals working out together. Through a variety of social activities, you’ll become part of a community, build relationships and create friendships.
Even though you are working in a group, the program is still tailored for you. When you sign-up, one of our personal trainers will conduct a comprehensive interview with you to find out what you’re looking to achieve from the program. By understanding your previous fitness experience, past injuries, and your end goal, we can design a coaching program to help you succeed.
We truly believe that Faster Fitness offers the best group personal training in St. Louis, but don’t take our word for it, check it out for yourself and visit our Group Personal Training program!
