Yeah, you can train in a group. A lot of people actually prefer it once they try it.
Some people don’t love the idea of one to one straight away. It can feel intense at first. Being in a small group takes the edge off because you’re not the only one there figuring things out.
As a personal trainer in Cardiff I run a 12 week body transformation where everyone is working towards improving something. Some want to lose weight. Some want to get stronger. Some just need structure again. The goals are different but the effort is shared.
I remember one woman who joined and barely spoke in the first couple of sessions. She kept saying she wasn’t “fit enough” to be there. By the middle of the programme she was finishing workouts ahead of people who had trained longer than her.
That shift didn’t come from magic. It came from showing up and realising she could actually do more than she thought.
Group sessions create a different kind of energy. When someone next to you pushes through the last few reps, it rubs off. You don’t feel forced, but you do feel encouraged.
And sometimes that’s all people need.
There’s also the small group option, which is usually two or three people training together. Often it’s friends who want to split the cost but still want proper coaching. It works well because you still get structure, just in a shared space.
I trained two mates last year who both wanted to build muscle. One was naturally stronger, the other needed more time learning technique. They pushed each other in a good way. By the end of it, both had improved massively, just at slightly different speeds.
It’s not about competition. It’s about momentum.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that people tend to stick at it more in groups. If you know someone is expecting you to be there, you’re less likely to cancel. Even on weeks when motivation dips, you still turn up.
And once you’re there, you’re fine.
Cost is obviously part of it too. Personal training is an investment, and not everyone wants or needs full one to one every week. Group sessions give you guidance, structure, and progression without the full private rate.
But it’s still coached. I’m still watching how you move. I’m still adjusting weights. It’s not a free for all where you’re left guessing.
You’re supported, just in a slightly different setting.
Some people start in a group and later decide they want more individual focus. Others stay in group training long term because they enjoy the atmosphere and routine. There isn’t a rule.
It depends on how you’re wired.
If you like having others around you and you feed off that energy, group training can work really well. If you prefer quiet focus and detailed feedback every minute, one to one might suit you more.
I’ve seen solid results in both. Fat loss. Strength gains. Confidence changes. The environment helps, but it’s the consistency that does the real work.
Honestly, most people overthink it before they start. Once you’re actually training, it becomes normal pretty quickly.
If you’re unsure, we just talk it through properly. There’s no pressure to choose one forever. You can adjust as you go.
The important part isn’t whether you train alone or in a group. It’s that you train consistently and follow something structured.
That’s what makes the difference.