What is Small Group Fitness?

What does Small Group Fitness look like?

Sarah: You’ve decided to start Small Group Fitness classes. Why now? What is Small Group Fitness? How is it set up?

Martin: I’ve been thinking about it for a while because I’ve had several clients who want to be coming to the gym more often. I like the group atmosphere – it can be fun to socialize with other people also interested in this type of fitness.  It can be motivating for clients to have other people, in addition to the trainer, to help keep them accountable for coming and to commiserate about the tough exercises. It is also a great chance for friends, couples, roommates, and families to spend healthful time together.

Small Group Fitness at TrainMovePlay looks like:

• A group of no more than 6 people – that’s where I think I can give a good group experience and still give every one a lot of personal coaching.
• Each session is 45 mins. 
• Right now we have 4 time slots each week. Eventually, we’ll offer more options with different foci, like yoga or Pilates.

What kinds of exercises are included?

Sarah: What kinds of exercises and equipment do you use?

Martin: We use a wide variety of things. No two sessions are the same. We use dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, balls, and also bodyweight exercises. I set up circuits that use equipment, like the sled, the rope, the cable machine, the air bike, and the landmine. We also do sets of drills in teams or with partners and use games to get the whole group moving.

The focus is not the same in every session; we’ll have some days that are more focused on metabolic conditioning or strength building, and others that focus more on tone, balance, or coordination. One nice part of Small Group Fitness training is that we can hit a wide variety of goals and include something for everyone – that keeps it from getting boring or stale.

How is Small Group Fitness different from Personal Training?

Sarah: How is Small Group Fitness different from Personal Training? Do you recommend Small Group instead of, or in addition to, Personal Training?

Martin: There are pros to both Personal Training and Small Group Fitness. Of course, Personal Training is the best way to hit very specific targets.

With a Small Group, we can do different things. There’s a lot of variety. I keep the group small enough that I can keep an eye on everyone, give everyone tips on form, and check their technique. But there is more energy coming from the group and, hopefully, some fun.

And also, cleints can motivate and support each other. It is super nice when people come with a friend because they already have that built in accountability, or maybe friendly competition, to keep them going.

I recommend joining a Small Group Fitness class in addition to a regular Personal Training schedule. It is the best of both worlds. One nice thing about having some of the same people in Personal Training and in the Small Groups is that I already know their goals and how they like to work. So, I can include things in the group training days that reinforce what we are doing in PT. 

Group Fitness is a bit more affordable than Personal Training, so it is a perfect option for someone who wants to hit that goal of training 2-3 times per week.

How is Small Group Fitness different from Group Fit classes at a bigger gym?

Sarah: How is Small Group Fitness different than the big group classes I’ve gone to in the big gyms – like Cycle, Jazzercise, or Guns and Buns classes?

Martin: Usually in the bigger classes, the teacher has a routine worked out and will lead that routine no matter who shows up. The class is there, and the person has to fit into it.

In a Small Group Fitness course, I tailor the plan to who is actually in front of me. I know ahead of time who is coming, so I can include exercises that I know will be beneficial to particular people. I can help individuals make accommodations on the spot. Since the group is small, I can be really involved with everyone the whole time. 

Who is the TMP Small Group Fitness course designed for?

Sarah: So, who would you say is the target audience for these classes? Would you say the Small Group Fitness classes are just for people who are already doing PT with you?

Martin: Not at all. I like to have this available for people who are doing one-on-one training as a cost-effective way to get in another session every week. And also for my Personal Training clients to socialize and build community. But this isn’t just for them. Anyone is welcome to join the Small Groups sessions. It could be really nice if friends joined together, or families…

 Read more about Small Group Fitness at TrainMovePlay in the article FAQs: Small Group Fitness Training.

Thanks to Martin for sharing something about Small Group Fitness and how it works! If you are interested in joining a Small Group Fitness class at TrainMovePlay, click on the “Get Started” button below and use the contact form to reach out.  We will be in touch very soon.