Group session, PT or Apps?

I’m signing up for a gym. What’s best for me?

1. GYM group classes

2. Personal Training

3. Fitness Apps

1. Group classes suit those who:

   • like to follow trainers instructions

   • not to think about the exercises and their combinations

   • feel motivated when surrounded by others

   • like exercising to the music

   • like the class structure

   • like it’s has set start and finish time

2. Fitness Apps are great for those who:

   • like exercising alone

   • and at their own pace

   • are visual learners

   • and can follow video instructions

   • are self-motivated and

   • understand body movements and what muscles are being worked out

   • or simply cannot afford PT

3. Personal Trainers are great for those who:

   • like personal attention

   • want to learn proper technique to avoid injuries

   • have specific goals

   • need someone to keep them motivated and accounted for

   • need more ‘hands on’ approach

   • or have not exercised before and unsure how to start

I personally (and not just because I’m PT) would recommend option #3 to you.

Consider this: PT will teach you correct technique, will explain what muscles do what movements , so that you actually understand what you are doing; will give you structure and teach you how to organize your gym exercises so that you can do them later confidently by yourself, will explain what muscles to exercise first and which to leave for the end of your session; when to do cardio sessions; and what to do as part of recovery; why you need to stretch… etc

Many apps are great these days, I’ve seen them. They give you sets, reps, have good structure and time line, different skill levels and videos for visual demonstration. However, the problem is that I still see so many people in the gym doing the exercises wrong! Unless you are great visual learner, you are most likely not to understand the correct form of exercise just from video. Meaning you will not target the correct muscles, your technique will be all over the place, you’ll select inappropriate weights or will end up doing only your favourite exercises (focusing on certain body parts) and end up creating asymmetric physique; and you know where this leads to, don’t you? Straight into arms of physios and chiros. And trust me they are more expensive then PT’s!

So, I say “invest into PT” and choose wisely. Not just the one that is available or it’s cheapest. Choose a PT that you can look up to and you believe that he/she will help you to reach your personal goals. Wheater your goals are big or small! Have a conversation prior to start of signing up, to see if its the right one for you.