6 Reasons to Try Small Group Fitness Classes in 2026
Some people come to Park Avenue Fitness knowing they want to join a small group, usually because they already know someone in the group. However, most new clients want one-on-one sessions and don’t always understand the benefits of small groups.
We totally get it, working in a new group can be nerve-wracking, but most of our clients (and our trainers!) truly love their small group classes. Here’s why we think you’ll love it too.
Why Our Clients Love Small Group Fitness Classes
Get Twice the Workout for Half the Price
Personal training can be a significant investment; we know this, so we offer competitive pricing. For some, this might not be enough or only allows them to work out once a week. In these cases, we suggest small group training to get them in the door twice or thrice a week.
Let’s break down the math. We offer 25-minute one-on-one sessions for $60 and 50-minute sessions for $90. We only offer 50-minute sessions for small group training at a rate of $55 per person. So, for 5 dollars less, you get an extra 20 minutes tacked onto your workout. It doesn’t sound like a lot initially, but let’s look at the package rates. For 8 sessions, you’ll get an extra 220 minutes (approximately 3.3 hours) for $240 less.
That's a significant saving that you can put towards other fitness goals or even treat yourself!
It’s Still a Personalized Workout
Many new clients worry they’ll lose out on a personalized workout because it's group training, assuming it will be similar to a class at a gym. We’re here to tell you that isn’t true!
In a class environment, you won’t get one-on-one adjustments from the instructor, and they certainly won’t be spotting you. Can you imagine trying to spot 20 people at a time? This also means they won’t be taking the time to ensure that you’re completing exercises with the correct form—which helps prevent injuries and encourages proper muscle growth. Instructors for a small group session will have one game plan for everyone attending, they won’t have individual exercises for anyone.
Small groups are capped at 4 or 5 clients during any training session. With only a handful of clients to keep track of, the trainer can pay attention to everyone, giving adjustments and spotting you when necessary. In a small group, your trainer will write a program that works for the clients coming to the session, even if it means having people do different workouts entirely. The trainer will consider your fitness goals and individual injuries and health issues when writing the program.
We Place You in a Group You’ll Love
When you decide to try out small group training at Park Avenue Fitness, we place you with a small group that shares similar fitness abilities and goals. For instance, if you need to work on balance, we match you with a group that regularly works on balance.
We’ll also recommend the group or groups we think you’ll enjoy the most. Small group workouts can be super fun! Most of the time, we can hear bursts of laughter through the studio walls. Some groups are formed by clients asking their friends to join, and some groups become friends over time. But one thing is for certain: having a fun group to work out with gives you something to look forward to instead of a chore to cross off your list.
Check out our schedule for small classes like gyrokinesis, yoga, balance, getting off the floor, and more!
Why Our Personal Trainers Love Small Group Classes
We Can Do More with the Client
For financially restrained clients, small group sessions allow our trainers to spend more time with their clients. Instead of a 25-minute workout, they can now do a 50-minute workout. This essentially doubles the amount of time the trainer gets to spend with these clients.
Of course, this means the trainer can fit more exercises into a session, but this isn’t the only benefit! Longer training sessions allow trainers to get to know their clients better and what fitness elements need to be worked on. The better we get to know you and your fitness level, the more tailored a workout will be. Plus, a longer workout means you're working on your endurance!
Our Community Keeps Things Fun
One surprising benefit of small group training is the element of fun. Trainers have observed that groups that enjoy their workouts tend to complete more exercises. In one-on-one sessions, it's easy for clients to watch the clock and drag their feet to the next exercise. In contrast, clients in a group often chat, swap stories, and have fun, distracting them from the workout's intensity. This results in a more enjoyable and productive session, with no complaints!
You may wonder how a small group can have fun during a workout. In addition to the flow of conversation, we’ve seen groups celebrate birthdays (even on Zoom using fun filters, like trainer Joan’s 7 am donut gang), dress up for Halloween, and swap cooking and baking recipes.
Enjoy Some Friendly Competition
Many of our limitations are mental ones we impose on ourselves, and it’s so easy to fall into the “I can't do that” or “I’ll never be able to do that” mindset. We have a biased view of ourselves and our capabilities, which ties in with our self-image and confidence. Sure, working one-on-one will help with that. But working in a small group can secretly boost your confidence as well.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, we all have a competitive streak and compare ourselves to those around us. This can come in handy when a client mentally limits themself. Being in a group with people who are in different stages of their fitness journeys can inspire you to get to the next level or give you an extra dose of encouragement to try something new.
Your trainer believes in you, but seeing is believing, so give it a shot and see for yourself!
