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 A simple option for group training is to allow a SMALL group (5 people or less) to purchase your discounted PT package and simply divide up the individual sessions based on the percentage they purchase. If your best “deal” for training is $500 for 10 sessions, for instance, you might consider allowing 5 clients to split the package each paying $100 and scheduling 2 sessions each. Normally, in a stronger economy, you would never do such a thing. The whole point is to keep those who only want a few sessions paying a higher rate. The discount is supposed to apply to faithful, long term participants. For now, however, making this exception might serve you well so that you at least keep working AND you may endear at least one member of the group to yourself and create a client relationship. Of course, all monies should be collected in advance and sessions scheduled immediately.
For clients who wish to purchase sessions together, there are frequently challenges related to one person being late, not paying, or needing to focus differently. An option here is perhaps to schedule an hour for the joint session, but ask one participant to work on cardio while taking the second through a brief strength circuit which they will repeat 2 or 3 times. After you are comfortable that the second participant is competent with the circuit, you can retrieve the first from the treadmill and “prescribe” their circuit…it may differ from their friend’s. Going back and forth between the two for an hour will allow you to provide them each some personal attention bringing them back together for the cool down so that they can also feel like they are jointly training. Otherwise, the success of both clients may be compromised. Both clients must be achieving their goals or neither of them will continue.
 For larger groups, reserving the group fitness studio may be your only option. Once upon a time, trainers had one client on the elliptical, one on upper, one on lower, one in plyo, and maybe even one more in the pool. No trainer can successfully coach 5 different workouts at once. Further, no participant is going to get the benefit of a trainer’s watchful eye if he/she is simply shouting instructions. Also, having 5 people rotate sets on one machine will waste far too much time to be effective. Using the group room and establishing challenging intervals, boot camp, or circuit stations will better serve the collective needs of the group. One trainer can demonstrate all the exercises and then “round” to spot check participants. This format is more economical for the participant, keeps the trainer working, and can actually yield quality results. Just make sure you are properly educated to create such a workout!
These are not the only options for group training. If you need to fill your schedule and make more money, you might look to group fitness for additional certifications and revenue streams. Make these choices carefully, however and know your limits. The answers to the opening questions are simple. When properly conducted, group training can still be personalized. Staggering start times and/or circuit work can keep multiple clients working toward their goals successfully. If one member of a group fails to show or pay, he/she forfeits the session. The “other” members may choose to either shorten their sessions or pick up the tab for the missing member. As a trainer, creativity will make or break you in a weaker economy. Unfortunately, fitness is considered a luxury in our society and may be the first thing cut from a budget when times get tough. Be flexible about your offerings and work with people wherever you can without cutting your own financial throat. If you have a creative solution to share, please forward to editor@SCWfitness.com. Stay strong!
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