Small Group Personal Training

In last week’s newsletter, I shared what I’ve learned about the fitness industry in the past 10+ years and the crucial differences between exercising and training. I was critical of group fitness models based on both past experience and what I hear from clients or new trainees that want to work with me.

I also acknowledged that there are several great characteristics inherent in group fitness classes - camaraderie, accountability, and novelty - all of which keep people moving and exercising more than if those things didn’t exist. Again, there is nothing wrong with exercising. 

You could also argue that personal training lacks some of those great characteristics which exist in a group class, and that makes the idea of personal training less desirable for some. That’s totally fair. And while I’m not trying to please everyone, I am certainly trying to take the best things about the fitness industry and inject them into my gym to help people change the way they view training and themselves. 

Enter “small group personal training.” For a while I was calling it 2-on-1 training, but a mentor of mine suggested that “small group personal training” was more enticing. Nomenclature aside, what I’m offering is not groundbreaking. It’s two clients training in my gym instead of one at a time. 

Unlike the group class model, all of my clients follow an individualized training plan. The reason I outfitted the space with two of everything was to accommodate two trainees at once, regardless of where they’re at in their lifting journey. 

The 27-year old athlete chasing a 400 lb deadlift can train in the same space as the 62-year old new grandparent that’s trying to add some yardage off the tee and increase bone density. Their goals are different, so their approach to training should be different, too. Both trainees derive the most benefit from increasing performance in the major compound lifts - squats, deadlifts, and presses (both bench press and overhead press) - so these are the movements we train. It’s my job to ensure that the weight on the bar, rep ranges, and prescribed assistance exercises are helping clients achieve their individual goals, with the common goal of simply getting stronger. 

I don’t think that what I’m doing is groundbreaking. In fact, the only unique thing about my approach is that it’s really simple. At first glance, most think that it’s too simple - especially those who’ve come from a fast-paced, high intensity fitness environment. It’s not that what we do isn’t intense per se, it’s just a different kind of intensity. 

The space we train in is small. We use minimal equipment - squat racks, barbells, plates, dumbbells, and occasionally, kettlebells. This is all by design and with the intent to focus on what really matters - a few simple and effective exercises done savagely well. There is a lifetime of learning in a 45 lb barbell, and the physiological and psychological strength that anyone can develop using it can be life-changing. 

Over the next few months, I’ll be updating the website to more accurately capture what happens within the walls of The 1440 gym. If you or someone you know is interested in small group personal training with me, please respond here. All responses come directly to me, and I read every one! 

You get 1440 minutes every single day. Make time to see how strong you can be.