Choosing How to Train
Small-Group Training vs. Personal Training (vs. a Big Gym)
Three good ways to train. Here's how to pick yours.
There's no single right answer — the best option is the one you'll actually keep doing. Here's an honest look at how small-group coached classes, personal training and a standard gym membership compare.
Side by side
Small-group coached classes
- Coaching
- A coach runs every class, demonstrates every exercise and helps with form and modifications as you work.
- Who plans it
- Your coach. The workout changes daily — you just show up.
- Schedule
- Set class times, six days a week (about 50 minutes each).
- Accountability
- Built in. Coaches and members notice when you show up — and when you don't.
- Cost structure
- A membership (unlimited classes), a punch card or drop-ins. Lower cost per session than 1-on-1.
Personal training
- Coaching
- Undivided attention from a certified trainer for the whole session.
- Who plans it
- Your trainer, built entirely around your goals, history and limitations.
- Schedule
- Arranged with your trainer.
- Accountability
- One-on-one: someone is expecting you, every session.
- Cost structure
- Priced per session, so it costs more per hour than a class. At Altman, it's custom-priced to the number of sessions you want.
A big-box gym membership
- Coaching
- Usually none included — you're on your own unless you pay extra for a trainer.
- Who plans it
- You do.
- Schedule
- Typically long opening hours; come whenever you like.
- Accountability
- Mostly up to you. Nobody may notice if you stop coming.
- Cost structure
- Monthly dues, often lower than coached options, plus extras like personal training. Prices vary widely — check the details.
Who each option suits
Small-group classes
- You want coaching on every workout without paying for 1-on-1 every time
- You'd rather not plan your own workouts
- You do better with a set time and people expecting you
- You enjoy (or want to discover) the energy of training with others
Personal training
- You're working around an injury, surgery or limitation and want extra care
- You have a specific goal or event you're training for
- You want to build confidence before joining a group
- Your schedule doesn't fit set class times
A big-box gym
- You already know how to plan your own training
- You're self-motivated and don't need anyone to notice whether you came
- You mainly want access to equipment at all hours
If that's you, a big gym can be a great fit — and we're happy to say so.
What it costs at Altman Fitness
Our prices are published so you can compare before you walk in. We don't quote other gyms' prices — they vary, so check what's included.
Free week
$0
Try real classes first
Intro month
$39
Your first month of classes
Monthly unlimited
$199/mo
On a 12-month agreement
Month-to-month
$249/mo
No long-term commitment
Annual pre-pay
$2,148
A full year, paid once
10-class punch card
$229
Use at your own pace
Drop-in class
$30
One class, no commitment
Personal training
Custom
Priced to the sessions you want
When you compare, look at the cost per coached session rather than just the monthly number. A membership gives you a coach at every class; at many gyms, coaching is an extra. Full details are on our memberships & pricing page.
How to choose
Four questions worth answering honestly.
- Do you know what to do when you walk into a gym?
- If not, coaching matters more than equipment. Small-group classes or a few personal training sessions will get you further than a membership you don't know how to use.
- What's made you stop in the past?
- If it was motivation or schedule, choose the option with the most accountability — set class times and people who notice. If it was pain or injury, start with personal training.
- How often will you realistically train?
- A few times a week suits a membership. If your weeks are unpredictable, a punch card or drop-ins let you pay as you go.
- Do you want individual attention, or group energy?
- Both are valid. Plenty of members combine them — classes most of the week, plus a personal session now and then for something specific.
Still not sure? Our Start Here quiz asks seven quick questions and recommends a starting point, or you can book a free 15-minute consult and talk it through with a coach. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you.
Find your best starting point in two minutes.
Answer seven quick questions and we'll recommend the right way for you to start — or just come try a free week.