Pioneer Performance began in 2014 as a small group/semi-private personal training gym - before moving into a specialist 121 Personal Training Facility in 2015.
We initially did this to provide an accessible and structured way for people to improve their fitness in a supportive, group-based environment.
Although we no longer this model(for reasons you will find at the bottom of this page), group training remains a popular model in the fitness industry, offering an efficient way to train multiple clients simultaneously.
For many gyms, this approach streamlines operations, allowing them to reduce staffing costs, minimise equipment requirements, and adopt a scalable one-to-many coaching model.
Typically, group training involves sessions with anywhere from 5 to 20 participants, all working through the same program with oversight from one or more instructors.
Some gyms even add nutritional guidance as part of the package to support overall progress.
The Benefits & Challenges of Group Personal Training
Group training can be a fantastic option for those looking to increase general fitness, enjoy the camaraderie of a class environment, or stay motivated through shared goals. It’s often more cost-effective than one-to-one coaching and provides structure and routine for those new to fitness.
However, group training may not always meet the needs of individuals with specific goals or unique challenges. This model is designed to serve the majority, which can sometimes leave individual needs unmet.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when deciding if group training is right for you:
- Benefit: Group training provides a structured program that’s ready to follow, removing the need to plan your own workouts.
- Challenge: The same program is applied to everyone in the group, which might not address individual differences such as injuries, physical limitations, strength, differences in skill or specific areas you’d like to focus on.
- Benefit: Coaches provide general guidance and motivation to the group, helping everyone stay on track.
- Challenge: With multiple clients to monitor, individual attention may be limited. Corrections to form, adjustments to technique, or detailed progress tracking might not be feasible during group sessions. Often, the more experienced clients within a group have a hand in assisting less experienced members. Which might fall below a client’s expectations.
- Benefit: Group settings foster a sense of community and accountability, which can be a strong motivator for many people.
- Challenge: A coaches understanding of what your goals & needs are may not develop as deeply due to the rotation of instructors or the time constraints of managing a larger group. Although many great group-orientated facilities have a client liaison manager, this doesn’t provide the 121 support, structure or guidance many people need to make long-lasting results.
While group training offers advantages, there are instances where personalised coaching can deliver better, faster & more individualised outcomes. If you have a specific goal, whether it’s improving your athletic performance, addressing an injury, or needing a training & nutrition structure that caters for your specific day-to-day needs —working one-on-one with a coach offers a tailored solution.
At Pioneer Performance, we provide personal training programs that are fully client-centered to meet individual needs.
Here’s how personalised coaching differs:
Individualised Assessments
Every personal training journey begins with a thorough assessment. This includes evaluating your body mechanics, flexibility, previous injuries, and desired outcomes. A clear understanding of your starting point allows us to create a program that’s as unique as you are. We discuss what your dream outcome would be, and together we build a process and timeline that will get you to that destination.
Focused Attention
During personal training sessions, your coach’s sole focus is on you. This ensures that every moment of your session is spent refining technique, tracking progress, and adapting exercises to maximise your results.
Goal-Oriented Programming
One-to-one coaching allows for a program tailored to your specific goals, whether that’s building strength, improving mobility, or overcoming physical challenges. Your progress is consistently reviewed and adjusted to ensure continued success.
Comprehensive Support
With personal coaching, support extends beyond your sessions. From lifestyle advice to strategies for overcoming setbacks, 121 support from a coach can provide the tools you need to stay on track and achieve lasting results.
When Pioneer Performance was founded 10 years ago, our initial vision included moving our one-to-one (121) clients in a group setting.
For about six months, we offered a group/semi-private coaching model, aiming to combine the personalised approach of 121 training with the camaraderie and affordability of group sessions.
However, after gathering feedback and reflecting on our core mission, we made the decision to focus exclusively on 121 coaching.
Why Our Clients Chose to Move Back to 121 Coaching:
Preference for Individualised Attention
Many clients expressed a strong preference for the undivided attention & attention to detail they received in 121 coaching. They valued the ability to focus on their unique goals without competing demands for their coach’s time.
Self-Comparison Challenges
Some clients found that group settings led to unhelpful self-comparisons with others. This affected their confidence and made their sessions less enjoyable, detracting from the supportive environment we strive to provide.
Limitations to Resistance Training Programs
In our group model, we worked with a 5-to-1 client-to-coach ratio. While this allowed us to help multiple clients simultaneously, it limited the ability to safely incorporate resistance training for everyone. Sessions often became a hybrid of cardio and resistance training, which didn’t align with the primary focus of many of our clients: building strength and muscle.
Slower Progress Compared to 121 Coaching
Clients who had previously experienced 121 coaching noticed a difference in their progress. The group setting didn’t deliver the same personalised guidance or allow for the focused, incremental improvements they had come to expect.
As we evaluated the feedback and our goals, we also considered the type of experience we wanted to provide.
A constant theme amongst the clients who come to us is that they have been let down before. Be it, by other gyms or personal trainers. We wanted to be the full stop in someone’s journey. to be able to be the last personal trainer that someone needed to work with.
In a group of five clients with 45-minute sessions, we found it impossible to teach the nuanced skills or instil the tools needed for clients to become fully self-sufficient in their fitness journey.
We wanted to completely rewrite what training should feel like, creating an experience that was as transformative as it was empowering.
To fully embody this mission, we decided to invest all our resources into offering 121 coaching. This shift allowed us to provide unparalleled service, facilities, and support tailored exclusively to each client.
Ten years later, we haven’t looked back.
There’s no universal “best” way to approach fitness. Group training can be a fantastic way to get started, stay active, and enjoy a sense of community.
However, for those seeking focused, individualised coaching, a 121 approach offers a level of personalisation, depth, and progress that group programs can’t match.
At Pioneer Performance, we’ve chosen to go all in on 121 coaching because we believe in delivering the best possible experience for our clients. One of the best ways to find out if our 121 service is suited for you is by checking out our clients results & testimonials.
If you want to speak to us about your unique goals, you can contact us & book a consultation using the link below.
If you’re interested in personal training or being coached at Pioneer, get in touch by completing the below form.
