A C E C E R T I F I E D N E W S June/July 2005 • 3

Feature

The ACE 2005 Trend Predictionsreport named group training as oneof the hottest up and comingtrends—and for good reason. More

and more trainers are jumping on the grouptraining bandwagon, which offers benefitsto both trainer and client.

Case in point: “One year ago, we startedan extensive group personal training programthat offers clients the ability to train with apersonal trainer as often as six times per weekat a fraction of the cost of private training,”says Sherri McMillan, M.Sc., co-owner ofNorthwest Personal Training and FitnessEducation in Vancouver, Wash.

A Popular—andProfitable—Concept

Group training typically involves two tofive clients, working out together, supervisedby one trainer. Because there is less one-on-one time per client, the client is charged lessthan they would be for individual training,but more than they would for a group exer-cise class. McMillan explains that two weeksof group training costs about the same asone hour of private training. “This programhas allowed us to offer personal training to awhole market of people who couldn’t affordprivate training services.”

But don’t think that McMillan is makingany less money. Because clients are sharing ses-sions, most professionals set their rates so that,regardless of the number of clients, the totalincome for one session is actually more thanit would be for a private session with a singleclient. “We currently have over 80 peopleenrolled in the program, generating over $8,000per month in revenues for our company.”

Cathy Moxley, M.A., C.S.C.S., owner of

Fitness InSight in Germantown, Md., saysthat when she trains two individuals togeth-er, she charges 50 percent more than for asingle client hourly rate. This adds up to sav-ings for the clients, and a greater hourlywage for the trainer.

But the benefits aren’t purely monetary.“The group atmosphere is very motivatingfor clients,” says Derek Dodd, owner ofActiveLifestyles Wellness Solutions in WestPalm Beach, Fla.

“And the social aspects improve attri-tion,” adds Keli Roberts, a personal trainerand director of group exercise for Equinox inPasadena, Calif.

Theresa Merz, a senior trainer for YogaFitTraining Systems Worldwide, finds that onceher group training clients have formed abond and gotten to know each other, theystart working out together between sessions.

The group environment empowers clientsas they draw motivation and energy fromone another, says Karl List, a Gold’s Gym

trainer in Venice, Calif. He points out thatthis creates a stronger and more independ-ent-minded client, as well, which makes it aperfect option for trainers who feel asthough they do more babysitting than train-ing with some of their one-on-one clients.

Some trainers find they get as much outof group training as the clients. “I enjoyworking with small groups over one-on-onepersonal training,” says Monica Bocks, atrainer and licensed Wellcoach in Truckee,Calif. “There’s more energy, more interac-tion and a lot of laughs!”

“When I’m training a group,” says BrianSchiff, a trainer in Detroit, Mich., “I amexposed to certain things that I would notnotice when training just one person. Themore people [there are in a class], the moreexperiences and styles I can pick up on. I notice new postures and structures. Thisgives me the opportunity to learn andimprove my own skills.”

Maximize Your Time—and Increase Your Income—With Group Personal Training SessionsBy Carrie Myers Smith

Continued on page 4

CARRIE MYERS SMITH is an ACSM-certifiedpersonal trainer, licensed corporate Wellcoach,and author of Get Published, a continuing edu-cation course offered through Desert SouthwestFitness (www.dswfitness.com).

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4 • June/July 2005 A C E C E R T I F I E D N E W S

Group training isn’t limited to the fiscallyconservative. Kristi Dowler, co-founder of BayArea Boot Camp in San Francisco, Calif., saysgroup training is great whether the clientneeds to jump-start her fitness routine or hasbecome bored with her workout and needssome inspiration. Some clients form their owngroup with friends and family, while othersjoin a group based on similar goals—includingtraining for a specificevent or activity. Mosttrainers agree that thebest candidates arethose without specialhealth considerationswho also have somebasic fitness knowledge.

“Clients who knowthe general focus oftheir workouts and onlyrequire guidance spar-ingly are perfect [forgroup training],” saysDarrin Wilson, director of fitness programs atN-Shape Personal Fitness in Raleigh, N.C.

Clients also have to enjoy the social aspectof group training and, as List says, don’t mindsharing the spotlight. “This type of training isfor anyone who can handle not being the cen-ter of attention all the time.”

Group Training How-ToThere are as many workout options for

group training as there are for one-on-onetraining. The trick is to create workouts thatchallenge each member of the group, keeping

in mind that there will likely be differing fit-ness levels. And while the workouts will notbe as personalized as one-on-one training, youneed to address each client’s individual goals.

Goal-setting and the use of many differenttools—from foam rollers to BOSU trainers,heart rate monitors to medicine balls—are twoof the things that distinguish group trainingfrom group exercise classes. It’s important thatyour clients can tell the difference. McMillan

encourages her trainersto inject this level ofpersonalizationthroughout every class.As an example, she sug-gests that when begin-ning an exercise,explain that you choseit because of a specificclient’s goals. For exam-ple: “Hey, Andrea! I’vegot some leg exercisesprepared for today thatyou’re going to love.

They’re perfect for your running goals!” Another way to keep clients’ goals in mind

is to praise them out loud to the rest of thegroup. For instance: “Wow, Chuck! You’re lift-ing 40 pounds more on the bench press thanyou did when you started. Your goal of train-ing three times a week is really paying off!”

Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles a train-er has to overcome, says McMillan, is how topractically manage sessions with a number ofdifferent clients. “It takes a very skilled trainerto ensure that a group training session is nottotally chaotic with one person twiddling histhumbs while another is getting all the atten-tion. Always be ready. Always know what eachclient is doing at all times. Always knowwhat’s going to be happening next and whatequipment you’ll need.”

Group training also offers a ripe opportuni-ty to educate your clients on various fitness-related topics. McMillan requires her trainersto prepare a teaching focus for each session.One week might be the importance of water,while another week might focus on momen-tary muscle fatigue. She suggests preparingclient handouts and even assigning home-work based on the topic.

Choosing From a Variety of Formats

But how, exactly, are group sessionsdone? “I like doing a cardio/strength work-

No matter how you slice it, grouptraining is a win-win situation for allinvolved. Here are some suggestions forsetting up your group sessions.

• Have everyone do the same exercis-es all together, helping each clientmodify the exercises based on hisor her fitness level and abilities.

• Warm everyone up together andthen split them up. They can bepaired together, with one doing theexercise while the other spots, andthen switch places. Or, following thewarm-up, have each client do differ-ent exercises. This can be done incircuit fashion or based on eachclient’s individual program.

• Have half the clients do their cardioworkout while the others do a shortwarm-up and then their strength-training workouts. You can alternatedays like this, having clients switchwhich workout they do at each ses-sion (either cardio or strength train-ing), or have them switch at thehalfway mark during each session.

• If the group is split up during themain portion of the workout, bringeveryone back together at the endfor stretching and relaxation. Thisallows for questions and teachingmoments, and fosters the groupenvironment.

Monica Bocks, a trainer and licensedWellcoach in Truckee, Calif., sets her payschedule based on how many clients shehas scheduled for each group. Overall,clients can expect to save approximately50 percent off one-on-one training,depending on the size of their group.

• One client: $60• Two clients: $35/client• Three clients: $30/client• Four to five clients: $25/client

Group Personal Training SessionsTRAININGTIP

Continued from page 3

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A C E C E R T I F I E D N E W S June/July 2005 • 5

20th Anniversary CelebrationWhen: July 5–9, 2005Where: Las Vegas, Nevada at

IDEA World 2005

Festivities on the tradeshow floor include:

• ACE 20th Anniversary Commemorative lapel pin and prize giveaway

• Cake and champagne celebration

• Historical photo display

• Chance to meet other ACE Professionals

www.acefitness.org/20years

Join in the ACE Professional Forum on July 7, 2005 – 12:30–2:30pm

Seating is limited. RSVP today at www.acefitness.org/forums

For more information, contact ACE.

1-800-825-3636 marketing@acefitness.org

PlusPlus

Join ACE!Join ACE!

out where two people are on a treadmill orstair machine,” explains Roberts, “and theother two are doing some strength exercisewith me supervising. Then they switchplaces. This works well with two to four peo-ple.” Roberts adds that sports conditioningand boot camp–styleworkouts also work wellfor group training.

“Our group sessionsare geared toward eachclient’s individual goals,”says Wilson. “The trainercan begin each client ona drill that is customizedto their needs, whichenables the client to per-form exercises to benefitthem individually.”

Merz explains that ifa group is training for a specific event, shehas everyone do the same exercises together,modifying the amount of resistance basedon each person’s level. For partners, she saysshe trains them together, doing the samething, or as a tag team drill—one doing oneexercise, the other performing another exer-cise and then switching after completion.

When Moxley has two clients workingout together, she has one do a cardio work-out while the other performs strength-train-ing exercises. This allows her to give theclient who needs more attention just that.“And in between exercises, I’ll run over andgive a few motivational words to the cardioclient. [When he’s finished], we’ll do some ofthe exercises that they have in common or

are easy for them to do together.” She addsthat this often includes abdominal work orexercises with bands, balls or tubing.

Bocks gets everyone started with someform of cardio. “I then take them intogroups of twos to work out at different parts

of the gym. One clientwill exercise, one clientwill spot—this getsthem comfortable toperform the exerciseson the days that I’mnot with them.” At theend of the session,Bocks brings everyoneback together forstretching and toanswer any questions.

Overall, group train-ing offers many bene-

fits, from greater affordability and motiva-tion for the client to increased income andvariety for the trainer. Perhaps best of all,says Dowler, it allows you “to bring fitness toa larger group of people at one time, creatinga safe, nurturing, fun and motivating envi-ronment that will keep them excited aboutexercise.”

How about taking your groupclients on a field trip?Bocks recommends cross-country skiing,hikes or playing golf as great ways to mixup the workouts and instill even more funand camaraderie into your group sessions.

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