You’ve probably heard of personal trainers and the services they provide.
But what exactly is a personal trainer, what benefits do they offer, and what are some common ways to enjoy their services in 2025?
Let’s discuss.
What Are Personal Trainers?
A personal trainer is an experienced individual who guides trainees and helps them achieve their fitness goals.
Trainers evaluate each client and get familiar with their overall lifestyle, injury history, training preferences, goals, and current limitations. The information helps them develop a training plan that fits each client’s needs, making it easier to stick with an exercise plan and achieve the desired results.
Good personal trainers also keep their clients accountable and motivated, guiding them through each workout and helping them stay consistent. In turn, people who work with a personal trainer feel more motivated to show up and do their best each time, even when they don’t want to.
The Most Common Forms of Personal Training Today
1. One On One
As its name suggests, personal training is about personalized guidance from a professional, and one-on-one (1:1) best exemplifies it.
With 1:1 personal training, you’ve booked an entire session with a coach, who guides you through the whole workout––from warming up to cooling down after you’re done.
While more expensive than other options, 1:1 personal training is perhaps the quickest and most efficient way for beginners to get into fitness and build a foundation (1).
Working with a good personal trainer for a few hours per week would skyrocket your knowledge, help you master proper form on various movements, and teach you what common mistakes to avoid.
What’s more, 1:1 coaching is a great way to stay accountable and be consistent even when you don’t feel like showing up. Plus, a good coach will push you to work hard and prevent you from slacking off when you get tired.
2. Semi-Private
Semi-private personal training is slightly more relaxed because a trainer works with up to four people. As such, the focus isn’t on you the entire time, but you still learn a lot.
Some advantages of the semi-private format are that the atmosphere is more laid back, there is a bit more small talk and banter involved, and you get to make new friends while working out.
Despite offering benefits you would get from group classes, it is still personal enough, and you have a personalized training plan, similar to 1:1 coaching.
3. Group Training
Group training is arguably the least personal, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a chance (2). It typically includes a trainer who leads an entire class of 10, 20, or even 30+ people. The coach provides an effective workout plan and demonstrates it for everyone.
Your job is to come prepared by wearing comfortable clothes and being willing to push yourself hard. Follow your trainer’s instructions, and you will make great progress.
Group training might not be ideal for beginners who need guidance on how to perform each exercise. If you’re in that situation, it would be better to consider 1:1 or semi-private training to gain a fundamental understanding of proper form, effort, workout structure, and other details.
Conclusion
One-on-one, semi-private, and group classes are the three primary forms of training.
Each offers unique benefits, and you should go with the one that best fits your preferences, goals, budget, and fitness level.
