On the hunt for a new workout routine you can stick to? Find out why you should try group training!
Welcome to another great Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up where Annmarie from The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, Michelle at Fruition Fitness and I bring you workout ideas, motivation, inspiration and recipes to try. Join us each week by reading along, linking up and grab the button to proudly display on your blog/in your posts!
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So you’re looking to start a new workout routine. You thought about hiring a trainer, but you can’t seem to find a good one or perhaps the one-on-one vibes just aren’t your style. You’ve taken a few group classes, and while you get a good workout, they just seem so impersonal. Working out on your own never seems to stick, so you’re stuck in this place of wanting something personal but not too personal.
Instead of personal training or group classes, why not give group training a try?
Group training means pretty much what the name implies: training with a group. How does this differ from group classes, you ask?
In group classes, you go in with 30 other people. You follow the instructor. You sweat. You leave. You come back the following week and do virtually the same workout.
In group training, you workout with a much smaller group of people (6-12ish). The instructor comes around to give you personal modifications, progressions and encouragement. The workouts evolve each week to help you progress and get stronger. In a nutshell, here are 5 quick reasons why you should try group training.
- It’s Personal
As I mentioned, when you’re in a group training session, the instructor will come around and give you personal adjustments, modifications, feedback and progressions. You’ll start to get to know your instructor as if he/she is your personal trainer. - It’s Social
Along with getting to know your instructor, you’ll also get to know the other people in your workout. They’ll become your workout buddies and your own little sweaty community. - It’s About Accountability
Because you’ll likely have the same instructor and the same people in your group each week, there is a sense of accountability. If you skip a workout, they’ll notice your absence. You don’t want to let down your new workout community, let alone back out of the commitment you made to yourself. - It’s Motivating
Not wanting to let your group down is great motivation, but you’ll also have motivation in the form of wanting to progress. Since group training will help you keep track of what you’re lifting or how much resistance you can pull off on an assault bike, each week you’ll be able to come in a push yourself a little more. - It’s Encouraging
Having your little community and an instructor that really knows you and your abilities is very encouraging. You’ll be pushed through an awesome workout, but you’ll also get little customized modifications to keep things from becoming too intimidating. Group training will really feel like a community vs. a cult.
I know, you’re totally sold on the group training thing. Now the question becomes, where can you find group training?
CrossFit is a great option. You’ll get to know everyone in your box, you’ll form relationships with the other people in your class, you’ll get to know your coaches, they’ll get to know you and there is a program in place to help you scale and progress your workouts on a personal level.
If CrossFit isn’t your thing, there are some great boutique fitness studios that are now offering group training, and a few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to try one of them.
Titan Fitness Studios in NYC opened in 2011 as a personal training studio, but they have recently expanded and are now offering Titan Total Body group training, a class that combines free weights, cardio drills, powerful calisthenics and in-class fitness tracking for a one-hour, no-nonsense workout designed to get you leaner, stronger and faster. Class attendance is capped at 12, so you get feedback on your form and constant encouragement to push beyond your comfort zone.
Before the class, I was given a quick tour of the new studio. It’s beautiful! The top level is dedicated to personal training, while the lower level is for their new group training classes.
Our trainer for the session, Cliff, split us into groups of two and had us move around to different workout stations throughout the workout. I started rowing and air squatting, then moved to an air assault bike followed by walking lunches, then did some shadow boxing paired with wall sits and finished up with jump rope and pushups. Cliff was constantly walking around the room providing personal feedback and offering up modifications to help us feel comfortable yet challenged.
After working up a sweat, we were treated to some delicious Paleo food from Kettlebell Kitchen and this adorable cake!
I got to chatting with the owner, Wally Oldham after the class. He is so passionate about fitness and Titan and is really excited about the new group training option. He also told me about his goals to start a barbell-focused group training class, as well as a lunch-break workout class where attendees would get a quick workout and leave with a healthy lunch from Kettlebell Kitchen. Uhhh, yes please!
I’m excited to see how Titan Fitness Studios evolves, and if you’re in NYC or are planning on visiting, definitely check them out. You can find their new class schedule here.
Alright, Wild Workout Wednesday-ers, let’s see those Wild Workout Wednesday Posts! Be sure to hop around to some other blogs in the link up and give them some sweaty love, and check out the full link up rules here.
Oh! And don’t forget about the PROBAR GIVEAWAY!
Let’s Chat:
Do you enjoy working out with others?
Have you ever tried a form of group training?
So I’m studying to be a personal trainer and I just read about the concept of small vs. large group settings and how they both have great benefits for the participants. I’ve seen a small group class that they do at our gym and have been intrigued. Maybe I’ll give it a whirl!
Christine @ Two Runners Travel recently posted…Staying healthy at work? It’s possible!
You should! They’re awesome! What organization are you studying through?
Titan sounds so fun! I teach group classes and do training and I have to say, I like the smaller group training sessions! I’m a stickler on form, so with a smaller class, I feel like I can give people more attention, as opposed to a class of 25+ people!
Absolutely! Classes of any size are great, but I like the little bit of personal attention so I know I’m doing everything properly. Plus, I can’t hide behind a sea of people! I have to really give it my all.
I’ve done a class here and there but never committed to doing it every week. You make some compelling arguments though- it would be great to have the social aspect!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…5 Ways to Get Back into Running After the Winter Break
It’s super motivating once you get into it. You don’t want to let your group down.
For the first time, I’m doing a group weight training with my coworkers. It’s been a great experience for all the reasons you’ve listed! We have our inside jokes and it’s been great seeing everyone’s progress from week to week. I’m not ready for Crossfit though…lol!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Cherry Blossom Training Week 5 Recap
That’s awesome!
I love my group classes as well and the social aspect can be very motivating for sure. Thanks for the link up
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…3 Pre Run Stretches To Enhance Your Run In Under 5 minutes
I need to find a good run group like you 🙂
These are all so true. When I taught group X I could see how people fed off of each other I love attending classes as well. I can’t wait to start teaching again this summer.
Ivanna recently posted…HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED TO EXERCISE
yey! I want to come to one of your classes!
It’s funny that I am going from working out at home solo to running a group fitness studio- I really do think it helps keep people accountable plus it’s a lot of fun!
Annmarie recently posted…Win to Run & Refuel Blogiversary Giveaway!
I can’t wait to see your studio!
I’ve never tried a small group training session. I love body pump but it is a lot of people and I definitely don’t feel like I get individualized attention in there. And I’m afraid to push myself on the weights, but I might be more willing to do that in a smaller class. I’ll have to see if the gym has something like that.
Chaitali recently posted…Rock and Roll DC Half Marathon training – week 12
I agree that I definitely push myself more in smaller classes, especially when I know the instructor will come around to me at some point haha
Working out at home by myself, no problem. Working out in public, I have to have someone with me to keep me motivated.
I love a good at home workout, too, but I wish I had a big mirror to check my form.
I’m a newly Certified Personal Trainer, and I love the idea of doing small group training. Thank you for posting this, it is super helpful!!
Awesome! Will you end up doing group training?
I love small group fitness training!
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick “Ventura Highway” 50-Minute Workout Playlist Featuring: Foos, Eminem, Gaga and more
Woohoo!
It’s been years since I’ve done a group workout class. I usually like working out alone or with a training/running partner, but there is something to be said about the energizing atmosphere of group training!
Laura @ This Runner’s Recipes recently posted…Best Running Fuel for You + Fueling and Hydration E-Course
I used to think I only liked working out alone, but CrossFit has really changed that.
That cake looks AMAZING! Being a trainer I love seeing the positive relationships that are made in my group training classes. Everyone pushes and motivates each other and hold each other accountable. It has also brought people into my gym that kind of shied away from the gym a bit.
Exactly! So happy to hear that 🙂
Most of the time I get to workout or run it is the only “me” time I get so it becomes sacred. I do belong to a couple on line fitness groups and it is nice for motivation and accountablitity.
Crystal Renaud recently posted…Spring Training In Motion
I totally get that! The online fitness groups are great now!
I think I’m going to rejoin my gym that offered classes (Body Pump, Zumba, etc), because I miss them so much! They are so much fun!
Artney @ My Pretty Brown Fit recently posted…Don’t Try This At Home and Gimme All the Washi!
hooray!
While I love the idea of group training, I don’t love the cost that is usually associated with it. When working with a tight budget, its hard to justify the cost of it on top of the gym membership that I already pay.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…March 2016 Monthly Goals
That is a good point! I wish fitness wasn’t as expensive as it as. I think that deters a lot of people.
You know I’m all about some group training 😉 I can’t imagine not having my morning crew to work out with. However what I totally got distracted by was the Kettlebell Kitchen! A philly move is in my future this fall so I was thrilled to see that they have locations there!
You’re moving to Philly?!
I love group training. Unfortunately after giving up my gym membership I gave up most opportunities for group training. Now, I’m creating a group! No gym needed 🙂 Hopefully all will come together and I’ll be ready to start this summer.
That’s awesome!!!! I can’t wait to see how it comes together!
I’m like the anti group fitness person. Because I’m gonna make a fool outta myself! Haha!
Rachel recently posted…Product Review: BeFit 30-Day Workout Program + Giveaway!
You wouldn’t make a fool out of yourself! I bet you’d rock it!
I just hosted a small group class this past Saturday and it went over really well! Im trying a new class I conceived; yoga + kickboxing. I think it takes the work out of workout making it a fun social event. Just with a little sweat. But what’s a good set of friends without sweat? 😉
Jess @ run pink recently posted…Workout Wednesday: Run Fasta With THIS Back Exercise
That sounds great!
Sounds like a great workout and so much fun! I love group training, its very motivating!
AutumnPTW recently posted…Ditch the Detox Mentality
Agreed! Thanks, Autumn!
I love group training! I am part of a great group right now and it’s been amazing.
Jenn recently posted…race report: wolfson children’s challenge ultra relay {1.31.2016}
That’s awesome! It’s really motivating, isn’t it?
So funny–I was reading your post and I thought to myself, small group training? Sounds like CrossFit! And sure enough, I hadn’t read far enough! While I don’t take CF classes, my training is right after Becky’s CF class, and the camaraderie between the women in the class makes me want to participate! They hang around after and chitchat. Now they cheer me on. It’s really nice!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Running Serendipitously
There really is such great comaraderie! You should see if Becky will let you take a class sometime!
I loved the idea of working out in a group. I have been loving the group aspect of bootcamp. I loved weight training in college with my crew team.
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Boston Marathon Training Update. Running Tired.
Team sports definitely have a similar vibe plus the added competition!