Group Classes or Solo Workouts – What’s Better?
Choosing between group classes and solo workouts depends on your fitness goals, budget, and personal preferences. Both offer unique advantages and potential drawbacks.
Here’s how they stack up in terms of safety, variety, personalization, accountability, fun, cost, and motivation:
Motivation
Group Classes: Winner. Working out with others can push you to work harder. Group dynamics can create an inspiring, motivating environment that can improve consistency.
Solo Workouts: Working out on your own often doesn’t provide the same level of inspiration that a group can. When you’re feeling lethargic, it’s more difficult to motivate yourself to get the workout done when there is no one else counting on you.
Accountability
Solo Workouts: Tied. There is little accountability when you’re working out on your own, however, if you’re working with a trainer, private training becomes the clear winner because it’s harder to cancel sessions, making personal training a strong option for accountability.
Group Classes: Tied. There’s accountability in showing up when you are part of a community and your fellow exercisers are expecting you. With that said, it’s easier to skip out of a group class with no one noticing, compared to a private training session when your trainer is expecting you and you’ll be charged if you don’t show up.
Safety
Solo Workouts: Tied. When you workout on your own, you may lack education on proper form, technique and safe programming. With that said, when working out on your own, you may be less likely to push beyond your limits resulting in an injury, which can sometimes happen in a group setting. In contrast, when you workout on your own with a trainer, they can ensure proper mechanics and design a program that is personalized to focus on your individual muscle weaknesses and imbalances.
Group Classes: Tied. A group fitness instructor can provide modifications and monitor technique to minimize injury, however, with a larger group, instructors may not have the time and will have limited ability to ensure every participant maintains correct form.
Variety
Group Classes: Winner. Group classes often offer a wide range of options, such as yoga, cycling, kickboxing, barre, HIIT, or dance. This variety can keep your workouts exciting.
Solo Workouts: If you workout on your own, you may not have the understanding and/or equipment to perform a lot of different types of exercises and activities. It’s easier to get into a rut when you do your own thing. Trainers can vary routines based on your preferences and their skill sets, but you may not experience as wide a range of activities as in group classes.
Personalization
Solo Workouts: Winner. When you workout on your own, you can focus on the movements and activities that best match your goals and needs. Private sessions with a trainer will offer a customized workout tailored to your specific goals, fitness level, and limitations.
Group Classes: When teaching a group fitness class, instructors are not able to customize a workout to one particular student. Instead, instructors aim for a “one-size-fits-all” approach, which may not meet individual needs, especially for beginners or those with specific medical issues or limitations.
Fun
Group Classes: Winner. Group classes are social, energetic, and dynamic, which can make them feel less like “work” and more enjoyable. Music, a fun community and a motivating instructor can provide an inspiring environment.
Solo Workouts: Private workouts may lack the lively atmosphere of a group setting and an energetic, inspiring group fitness instructor.
Cost
Group Classes: Tied. Group classes are usually more affordable, as the cost is divided among participants.
Solo Workouts: Tied. If you are working out on your own at your home gym or fitness club, the costs are minimal and solo workouts are the clear winner. However, if you are investing in a private coach, personal training sessions tend to be more costly, reflecting the one-on-one attention and customized approach.
Final Verdict
Working out on your own, with a trainer or in a group setting; each has clear benefits. For safety, personalization, and accountability, private workouts with a trainer are best, making them ideal for those with specific goals or physical limitations. Group classes excel in variety, cost, and motivation, perfect for people seeking fun and social exercise. Solo workouts at home or your gym, offer the greatest affordability. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal fitness journey. Bottom line? Figure out what works best for you and helps you stay committed to your health and fitness.
Yours in health & fitness,
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan
Sherri McMillan, holds a master's degree in exercise physiology and has been inspiring the world to adopt a fitness lifestyle for more than 33 years. She has received numerous industry awards including 2010 CanFitPro International Presenter of the Year, 2006 IDEA Fitness Director of the Year, 1998 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, 1998 CanFitPro Fitness Presenter of the Year and 2005/2006 ACE Fitness Educator of the Year - Runner up. She is a fitness trainer, fitness columnist for various magazines and newspapers, author of five books and manuals including "Go For Fit - the Winning Way to Fat Loss" and "Fit over Forty" and the featured presenter in various fitness DVDs. She has presented hundreds of workshops to thousands of fitness leaders throughout Canada, Australia, Mexico, Jamaica, New Zealand, Germany, England, Spain, South America, Asia and the U.S. She is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in downtown Vancouver, the founder of WHY Racing Events & WHY Community, participates in various community fundraisers and can be found running, biking, or hiking around the community. Find more information at nwpersonaltraining.com.