Contrary to popular opinion, personal training is not dying!  There is still not a more effective way to achieve your wellness goals than to work with a qualified personal trainer.  The real question is not whether or not personal training is still a fantastic investment of your time and resources but what type of personal training best fits your needs.  Some people are more motivated working out in groups so that would be the most effective option for them to pursue.  Can you receive personal attention in a group setting?  Of course, but if you prefer or need one on one attention, have special needs – perhaps you are doing work to finish rehabilitating a torn ACL – then working out in an individual setting would best meet your needs.

A fantastic, fun, effective and growing personal training niche in the fitness industry is what is popularly know as “bootcamps” or more generically what we would refer to as group exercise.

The possible pros of bootcamps:

1. High energy group exercise – can be very motivating.  Whether it’s working out with some friends or your entire family, working out in a group setting can be incredibly fun!
2. Instructors provide guidance for specific exercises you should perform and supervise the workouts to make sure you are properly performing the exercises along with showing you modifications that are specific to your needs.  Teaching in a group setting is a special skill set.  Some trainers who are great at one on one training may not be experts at group instruction so be sure to check on what type of group coaching background your trainer has.
3. Develop community and accountability with your fellow group exercisers.  If you can get over being shy or embarrassed about your current condition – and a good instructor can really help you with this – the friendships and comradery you develop in a group setting is unique.  If you enjoyed playing team sports you may be a perfect fit for group exercise.
4. Less costly than one on one personal training.  No matter what type of  personal  training you choose to  invest in, it still costs more than doing nothing – well,  not really if you count  the lost productivity and medical issues that come from being unfit – so it’s important to evaluate what your goals and needs are before you invest.
5. Misery loves company!  Ok, that’s just for fun but it’s true to a certain extent.  Seeing other people work hard around you can be motivating.

The possible cons of bootcamps or group training:

1. If you need or want the undivided attention of your trainer it cannot happen in this setting.  It’s important to evaluate up front what type of environment you would be most comfortable with.
2. Just  like with any form of personal training, there are good bootcamps and there are not so good bootcamps.  Just as you would with any other professional you are going to pay for services you need to carefully screen the trainer and what their qualifications are for training you.  Exercise and nutrition are highly specialized fields that take years of study and hands on learning to be qualified to teach others.  Weekend workshops and certifications are nice for continuing education but it takes much more than that to be a Professional Trainer/Fitness Coach!
3. Peer pressure.  Where some find group training motivating, this motivation can at times lead people to work at levels that are unsafe for them.  It takes very qualified instructors to know what each client needs and to then help those clients work at levels that are appropriate for them.  If you don’t have a comprehensive health assessment performed prior to starting your exercise program then you are not working with a real fitness professional.  At a minimum, the trainer should be aware of your basic health history prior to leading you through and  sort of exercise program!
4. No group exercise program can ever be as specifically individualized as actual one on one training.  Every set and every repetition of every exercise presents an opportunity for something good, bad or ineffective to occur.  No matter how good the trainer, they don’t have eyes in the backs or sides of their heads so they cannot see and coach you through each movement and moment which is what some clients need.  This is not always a bad thing so it’s important again to discuss what your needs are with your trainer before you make a decision on what type of program you should enroll in.  The good news is that you can even mix things up and have some one on one sessions along with  participating in some bootcamp/group exercise programs.

At XCELFIT, we specialize in the following types of personal training. Click on each category that interests you to read more about why XCELFIT should be your choice for personal training.

1. One on One:  Just you, your trainer and your goals!
2. Medical Exercise: We have specialized in working with clients with medical needs including pre and post rehabilitation of various orthopedic injuries, diabetes - Type I and II, cardiac rehabilitation, and a variety of conditions related to obesity.  Pat has been certified as a Medical Exercise Specialist since 1996 and we work with a great group of medical professionals in our area to meet your wellness goals.
3. Nike SPARQ Training: this can happen in one on one settings as well as group or clinic settings.  We enjoy working with teams and groups like the  Boys and  Girls Clubs of America and as one of the areas few AUTHORIZED Nike SPARQ trainers we can get your athletes officially rated for the Nike SPARQ website.
4. Small Group Personal Training: We especially love getting families to work out together.  How many opportunities do parents actually get to do something fun and productive with their kids?
5. Senior Fitness:  Many of our clients have been with us for over 10 to 15 years.  Working with seniors, who definitely benefit from individual  attention, is one of our favorite things to do at XCELFIT.

We’d love to have you become part of our training family.  Fill out the contact form below and we’ll set up your free initial visit.