If you want to get stronger, fitter or simply start exercising more consistently, there are more training options available than ever.
They can all work.
But they are very different services, with very different levels of coaching, individualisation, accountability and cost.
The best option isn't necessarily the most expensive one.
So let's look at the four main options.
A 24/7 Gym Membership
What Do You Get?
This is the traditional gym membership.
You pay for access to the facility and equipment, and for the most part, you train independently.
Depending on the gym, you might have access to:
- Free weights
- Machines
- Cardio equipment
- Functional training areas
- Sometimes group classes
- Sometimes an app or basic training program
But generally, once you walk through the door, what you do is up to you.
You choose the exercises.
You decide how much weight to lift.
You decide when something needs to progress.
You decide whether your program is actually working.
Who Is a 24/7 Gym Ideal For?
A 24/7 gym can be an excellent option if you:
- Already know how to train
- Have a program you're confident following
- Know how to perform the exercises safely and effectively
- Are comfortable progressing your own training
- Don't need much accountability
- Enjoy training independently
- Want maximum flexibility with when you train
- Want to keep the cost relatively low
For an experienced, self-motivated person who knows exactly what they're doing, you may not need anything more complicated.
The equipment is there.
You have a plan.
You get in and train.
Where Can It Fall Down?
The freedom is also the downside.
Nobody is necessarily watching your technique.
Nobody is making sure your program progresses.
Nobody notices if you've been doing exactly the same workout for the last eight months.
And nobody is calling you when you stop turning up.
For some people, that's completely fine.
For others, that's exactly why their gym membership doesn't get used.
Rough Cost
As a general guide, expect roughly:
depending on the gym, facilities, contract and membership level.
Large Group Training
Group training changes the experience completely.
Instead of walking into the gym and deciding what to do yourself, you turn up at a scheduled time and the workout has already been planned for you.
What Do You Get?
Typically, you get:
- A scheduled class
- A coach leading the session
- A planned workout
- Other people training alongside you
- Music, energy and atmosphere
- Motivation and encouragement
- Less thinking about what you need to do
The big difference from a 24/7 gym is that someone else has organised the session.
You just need to turn up.
However, the workout is generally designed for the group, rather than specifically for you.
Everyone may be squatting.
Everyone may be doing the same circuit.
Everyone may be doing the same interval workout.
Who Is Group Training Ideal For?
It can be a great choice if you:
- Enjoy training with other people
- Like the energy of a class
- Don't want to design your own workouts
- Need scheduled sessions to help you turn up
- Enjoy variety
- Like being pushed
- Don't require a highly individualised program
- Are generally comfortable following the same training structure as the rest of the group
For many people, the community and energy are a huge part of why they stay consistent.
Where Can It Fall Down?
The coach is responsible for the whole room.
That means the program can't necessarily revolve around one person's goals, injuries, training history or progression.
You may receive modifications.
You may lift a different weight.
But you're still generally working within the group's workout.
And that matters if you need something more specific.
Rough Cost
Depending on the facility and how often you train, a reasonable guide is:
for boutique or coached group training.
Semi-Private Personal Training
This is where the line between group training and Personal Training can become confusing.
Semi-Private Personal Training usually has several people training at the same time.
But unlike group training:
That is the important difference.
What Do You Get?
In true Semi-Private Personal Training, you might have four to six people training with one coach.
But they aren't all doing the same workout.
Everyone is in the same room.
Everyone has the same coach available.
But everyone is following their own program.
Your exercises, loads, progressions and modifications are based on what you need.
Who Is Semi-Private Personal Training Ideal For?
This can be a great middle ground for someone who wants:
- Their own individualised program
- Regular coaching
- Technique support
- Accountability
- Progress to be monitored
- Exercises modified when needed
- Help training around injuries or limitations
- The social side of training around other people
- More support than a normal gym membership or class
- A lower cost than having a trainer exclusively to themselves every session
For a lot of people, this is the sweet spot.
Be Careful With the Terminology
Not every gym uses the term Semi-Private Personal Training in the same way.
Some places use it to describe a smaller group class where everyone still follows the same workout.
And sometimes changing the weight from person to person is described as personalised programming.
I don't agree with that.
If six people are all doing the same squat and one uses 20kg, another 40kg and another 60kg:
That is the same program being scaled for different people.
True individualisation means the program itself can be different.
So if you're considering Semi-Private Personal Training, don't just ask how many people are in the session.
Rough Cost
Semi-private pricing varies considerably depending on how often you train and what else is included, but roughly:
is a reasonable guide for an ongoing coached semi-private service.
One-on-One Personal Training
At the other end of the spectrum is traditional Personal Training.
One coach.
What Do You Get?
This gives you the highest level of individual attention.
The whole session is about you.
Your coach can:
- Watch every repetition
- Teach new exercises
- Make immediate adjustments
- Control your rest periods
- Progress or regress exercises
- Work closely around injuries or limitations
- Provide a very specific training session
- Spend more time teaching and developing your skills
There is nowhere to hide.
For some people, that's exactly what they need.
Who Is One-on-One Personal Training Ideal For?
One-on-one training can be particularly useful if you:
- Are completely new to strength training
- Want intensive technique coaching
- Lack confidence training independently
- Have more complex injuries or limitations
- Have very specific performance goals
- Want privacy
- Need a high level of accountability
- Prefer having the coach's complete attention
- Are learning skills that require more hands-on coaching
It can also be extremely useful for a period of time.
You might use one-on-one coaching to build confidence and technique before eventually moving into a more independent or semi-private environment.
Where Can It Fall Down?
The biggest limitation is simple.
Cost.
You are paying for a professional's time exclusively.
If you want to train three or four times each week, that can become expensive very quickly.
And not everyone needs a coach standing beside them for every repetition forever.
Rough Cost
In Perth, a reasonable guide for 1-on-1 Personal Training is approximately:
for a typical 45–60 minute appointment, depending on the trainer, facility and level of service.
So Which Option Is Best?
There isn't one answer.
It depends on how much support you need.
If you're experienced, motivated and already know exactly what you're doing:
A 24/7 gym might be perfect.
If you love atmosphere, community and simply want someone else to organise the workout:
Large Group Training might suit you really well.
If you want your own program, coaching and accountability but don't necessarily need a trainer standing beside you for the entire session:
Semi-Private Personal Training can offer an excellent middle ground.
And if you need maximum attention, want to learn quickly or have something more complex you need help with:
One-on-One Personal Training may be the better option.
“Which type of gym is best?”
A Simple Way to Compare the Four
What We Offer at Adaptive Strength
At Adaptive Strength in Booragoon, we primarily offer two forms of Personal Training:
Our version of true Semi-Private Personal Training.
More focused individual coaching when you need it.
Our Supervised Personal Training is our version of true Semi-Private Personal Training.
You have your own individualised program, but you train in a supervised environment with a Strength Coach on the gym floor.
Our team includes physiotherapists, exercise physiologists and exercise science professionals who also coach strength training on the floor.
That means your training can be progressed, modified and coached around the person you actually are — rather than expecting you to fit into the workout everyone else is doing.
You still get the social side of training around other people.
You're doing yours.
For members who need more individual attention, we also offer One-on-One Personal Training.
This can be useful when you're getting started, learning new skills, returning from an injury or simply want more focused coaching.
Some people primarily use Supervised Personal Training.
Some primarily use one-on-one coaching.
And some use a combination of both.
It's to give you the level of support that makes sense for you.
Not Sure Which Type of Training You Need?
If you're trying to decide between joining a gym, group training, Semi-Private Personal Training or working one-on-one with a coach, you don't need to have it all figured out first.
You can book a quick call with me, Kurt, Head Coach at Adaptive Strength.
We can have a chat about your goals, your training experience, any injuries or limitations, how much support you're looking for and what type of training might suit you best.
If Adaptive is a good fit, I can explain how we can help.
And if it isn't, at least you'll have a clearer idea of what you should be looking for.
Book a Quick Call With Kurt
