We all know the importance of getting a regular workout in. But working out alone isn’t always all that fun, nor is it especially motivating when you have no one else to hold you accountable. If you’re new to working out, it can leave you feeling lost and without a plan.
Even if you’re a seasoned gym veteran, working out alone can sometimes leave you in a workout rut.
So, if you’re looking for a more interactive workout option that keeps you a little more inspired, you might be considering two different options: personal training and group fitness classes.
Both options offer structure and accountability, not to mention the support and camaraderie of other like-minded people. But is one better than the other?
Let’s look at what the research has to say about group fitness classes versus personal training so you can decide on the right routine for your goals.
The argument for group fitness classes
When it comes to group fitness classes, your choices are abundant.
Thanks to the power of Googling, it’s easy to find a group fitness class that’s geared to your fitness level and designed for your physical health goals. Which means that just about anyone who’s looking to shake up their workouts can find a class that’s right for them!
Whether you’re brand-new to working out or are looking for a new way to move your body, you’re likely to find a suitable class in your area.
Many group fitness classes tend to be high-energy, aerobics-based workouts, which are great for working up a sweat and getting your heart rate up. But other classes focus more on strength training, calisthenics, HIIT, pilates, yoga, and more.
As a result, the physical results that you can expect to reap from your fitness class can vary widely, based on the kinds of exercises you do, the intensity at which they are done, and the amount of attention that your group’s instructor is able to give you.
The real appeal of group fitness classes is the sense of community that they can foster.
When you join a group fitness class, you’ll be working out with people who have similar goals and fitness interests as you do, helping you to build a support system that you can lean on during your fitness journey.
These classes also tend to be high-energy and emphasize fun and camaraderie, which can have marked benefits for your physical and mental health.
That’s because working out in groups is simply more fun than pushing through a grueling workout on your own, and that social aspect can actually push you a little harder and motivate you to perform your workouts better.
For example, one study found that runners who ran in a group reported enjoying their run more and having more energy. Impressively, this led to better run times for some participants!
Even better, group fitness classes aren’t merely fun: they’re also a great way to build a support system, and this can have marked benefits for your mental and emotional health.
Embarking on a fitness journey can be hard, especially if you’re also juggling other life stressors at the same time. While working out in general is an excellent stress-reliever, there’s evidence that working out with a group can be even better.
This was highlighted in a study that evaluated the effects of group training on a historically high-stress population: medical students.
The study divided the students into three groups who either trained in a large fitness class, alone or with a small group with up to two others, and a control group that did not have an exercise intervention at all.
The researchers found that the group that worked out alone or with one or two others reported improvements in their mental health, but not in their stress, physical health, or emotional health.
Meanwhile, the participants who attended a fitness class saw decreased stress, as well as higher physical quality of life and emotional quality of life. Finally, the group that did not have any exercise intervention did not experience any significant changes.
Another study found that, in a population with breast cancer, participants in both group classes and personal training saw similar improvements in physical activity, but breast cancer patients who participated in group classes also saw better improvements in their overall quality of life.
The argument for personal training
Personal training is also an excellent choice for shaking up your workouts and staying accountable, but for slightly different reasons.
When you work with a personal trainer, you’re working directly with a fitness professional who can give you individual attention and who has the knowledge to craft a workout plan that’s tailored to your specific needs and goals.
Personal trainers are also invaluable resources. They can walk you through the details of each workout and educate you on how it directly links to your goals, monitor your form to ensure your safety, and push you as an individual when you need that extra motivation.
Unsurprisingly, there’s evidence that personal training can lead to significant body composition improvements over self-directed training.
So, how does personal training compare to group fitness classes?
The key benefit of personal training is that it allows for more individualization, which can go a long way if you have specific health goals.
Again, the kinds of results that you can see from your group fitness classes will largely depend on a range of factors, such as the kinds of workouts you’re doing and the expertise of your instructor.
However, many group fitness classes focus on cardio and/or calisthenics. Both of these are great for your general health, but they may not be the most effective workouts for every health need or personal goal.
So, in cases where you’re trying to attain very specific fitness goals, personal training may be the superior choice. For example, one study looked at cardiac patients who participated in individualized training programs versus group calisthenic workouts.
They found that moderate to high-risk participants in individualized training programs saw significant improvements in fitness and quality of life when compared to the patients who participated in group workouts.
Another study found evidence that only the people who worked with a personal trainer — rather than individually or with a partner — saw significant fat reduction, performance improvement, and improvements in exercise.
Personal training was also better for preventing injuries and following up on nutrition interventions.
Bottom line: are group fitness classes or personal training better?
Ultimately, when choosing between group fitness classes or personal training, it’s important to look at your unique goals and what you want to get out of your training regimen.
No matter which one you choose, they can both help keep you accountable. They also offer more structured workouts than you may be able to come up with on your own.
But personal training and group fitness classes offer different key benefits:
- Working out with a personal trainer allows you to make the most efficient plans for hitting your goals and lets you benefit from the individual attention of a trained fitness professional.
- Group fitness classes are fun and motivating, helping you build relationships and giving you a sense of community that can help with other aspects of your health, like your mental health and social relationships.
If you’re still stuck and can’t decide between the two options, don’t forget that you can always incorporate both into your routine!
Get your cardio and community through your fitness classes, then focus on achieving your personal goals by working with a personal trainer.
Scheduling both throughout the week is a fantastic way to build a well-rounded workout routine that targets all of your physical and mental health needs.
In some cases, you can even do a combination of both. Some fitness institutions offer small-group training, where a personal trainer works with a very small group of people at once.
This allows you to receive the personalized attention needed for a focused workout routine as well as getting the energizing benefits of being with a group.
Upon surveying people who participated in this style of small-group workout, researchers found that participants reported having greater motivation and life satisfaction, as well as better exercise self-efficacy and increased health and energy.
Conclusion
No matter what kind of workouts you choose to do, consistency is the most important factor for making long-term changes.
Both the energizing, community-driven benefits of group fitness classes and the individualized attention of personal training can help you stick with your workouts for longer, so you can make your fitness routine a permanent part of your lifestyle.
