Personal Training vs Group Training

Personal Training vs Group Training

It’s a common misconception that CrossFit is done exclusively in a group environment. Most people picture large groups lifting weights, sweating, and working out together. However CrossFit doesn’t lose it’s efficacy when applied to the 1-1 model, in fact it can be better. Both training environments have their pros and cons, it’s up to the individual to decide which is best for them.

Group training without a doubt makes up the majority of people’s CrossFit experience. The group environment can be extremely motivating, and many people compare it to when they used to train with a sports team. Having other people around you will help most people to push beyond their preconceived limits, and keep their intensity higher than individual training. Group training also creates a bond with your fellow classmates, which helps to keep you motivated and creates accountability to your fellow students. We have all experienced the guilt trip from our classmates when we come back, having missed a particularly hard workout. As for limitations group training can be intimidating for the beginner. New people are fearful of being “left behind” in a class, or of being judged by their fellow classmates. This nervousness can create anxiety which leads to missed workouts and what we call “cherry picking”. That fun term is when you check a workout beforehand, and skip the ones that you will struggle with, only showing up on days that you think you will excel. A second drawback to group training is the limit on individual attention. We have spent a ton of time training our coaches to give individual attention to everyone in class, but the reality exists that they can’t watch every rep of every student in class.

Personal training does make up a smaller portion of the folks doing CrossFit, but I would wager to say it’s higher than you think. CrossFit is defined as “constantly varied functional movement performed at high intensity”. No where in that definition does it say “in a group setting”. The same beautiful principles that make CrossFit effective in a group setting also make it effective 1-1. The major upside to doing CrossFit 1-1 with a coach is the individualized attention you receive. You have a coach that will watch every rep of your workout, maximizing your safety by refining technique, and maximizing the efficacy of the workout by adjusting loading and volume for your individual fitness level. For example say we have a workout that includes bar muscle ups, and you have yet to master that skill. Your coach can prescribe a scaled movement that will help progress you to bar muscle ups, based on your individual limitations. The level of accountability is also much higher with personal training. You have an appointment with a coach, they are there waiting on you, you show up. In a group setting it can be easier to “blend in” and miss a couple days before the coach notices that you haven’t just been attending a different class time. The coach is also watching every rep, and making you accountable for meeting the movement standards. There is also more flexibility with Personal training. Can’t make a specific class time? PT typically has much more availability. Feeling super sore from a previous workout? PT can modify the workout. Slipped on the ice and tweaked your ankle? PT can be modified to work around your injury.

Both forms of training have their benefits, and it really is hard to say which is better. Personally for me the answer is both. I love the motivation of being in a group setting, but sometimes I need the individual attention to work on a movement or skill. When I was training for a competition last year I knew there would be swimming, so I took 1-1 swim lessons. I’ve also needed help with my endurance, so I paid a coach to come up with a training plan. For me the perfect mix would be group classes 5x a week, and 1x a week PT to work on a new skill, or refine my technique. Someone newer to CrossFit, with a restricted schedule may be better off with 3x a week PT and 2x a week group. The best schedule is just like the best training plan, individualized to the person doing the training. New to CrossFit and want to know more, or learn about our different training packages? Click Here to schedule your No Sweat Intro. Already into CrossFit and want to learn a new skill or refine your technique? Click Here to schedule a Goal Review.