From the day we opened, we’ve offered large group training. Shortly after that, we introduced personal training, and today, we have a split of about 73% of our members in classes and the balance working via personal training on individual goals.
Both are great options and all of our trainers are knowledgeable and take pride in what they do, but the large group isn’t for everyone. By stating this, I’m not trying to deter anyone from joining; however, success in a large group setting depends on three things:
- A certain level of proficiency of movement
- Mindset
- Accountability
Below, I detail the pros and cons of the large group class and when personal training might be a better option for you.
Before we get started, I must stress a non‑negotiable: your training at Vero Strength begins with a movement screen and a one-on-one discussion with a trainer. We want to understand your training and medical history, current abilities or injuries, and where you’re headed. This is how we keep you safe, make progress, and choose the right format (large group or personals). Be very leery of any facility that throws you right into a class or training session without this important first step.
OK, let’s get on with it…
We are very proud of Vero Strength’s large group program. You get complete, well‑thought‑out training phases and hands-on coaching—all for around $13 or less per class, depending on how often you come in. We’re technical, and we do our best to make sure people don’t get lost in the shuffle, although some still do.
Upsides of Large Group
- Great value. Structured programming and coaching at a very accessible price point.
- Community. You’ll train alongside awesome people who make it fun.
- Momentum and mindset. Showing up with a crew helps you stay engaged.
- Variety with structure. You’ll rotate through different training phases, movement patterns and intensities without guessing.
- Light accountability. If you miss a week, you end up on my “at-risk list,” and we’ll nudge you back in (or at least try; after several unsuccessful attempts, I feel like it borders on harassment!).
The Challenges of a Large Group
- Less 1:1 attention. In a room of ~20+ people, you won’t get the same coaching density as personal training, even with two coaches on the floor. It’s common for me to correct someone’s technique and then they say “well, this is my last set.” We rove around, triage, give pointers, and attaboys…but it’s impossible to see everyone all at once.
- Ego and pace pressure. You may feel like you need to go faster or lift more when you shouldn’t.
- Quiet communicators get less help. If you don’t speak up or ask questions, you’ll miss valuable coaching and possibly be confused. Some people just look around the room to see what others are doing and, inevitably, will mimic someone else doing something wrong.
- Movement constraints. If you don’t currently move well (weakness, limited range, pain), some workouts can feel discouraging—unless modifications are planned and used.
- Appointment accountability. If you’re the type who only shows up when someone expects you at a set time, classes might not deliver enough accountability.
- Comparison mindset. If negative self‑talk or comparison steals your focus, the group environment can magnify that. Over the years, we’ve had people in their very first class get extremely upset because they couldn’t do something others were doing. 100% of those people quit.
We mitigate this by providing clear standards for form (both in the app and during the whiteboard briefing), planned progressions and options, encouragement to scale, and coaches who circulate and cue. But format still matters—some people simply thrive with more attention.
Choose large group if you:
- Have the basics of squatting, hinging, pushing, pulling, lunging, and carrying—or are comfortable learning them with coaching.
- Like the energy of a crowd and want a community to train with.
- Are generally injury‑free or willing to scale as you build.
- Are self‑directed enough to tell the coach what you feel and what you need.
- Want the best value while still following a smart, coached program.
Those who have succeeded in a large group, often:
- Arrive early and talk to the coach or come with a plan.
- Scale with pride. Smart athletes choose the right variation, load, and pace for today.
- Chase quality, not chaos. Keep 1–3 reps in reserve, own your technique, and build week to week.
- Ignore the comparison trap. Your reps, your speed, your range—no one else’s.
- Ask questions during and after class. The more we hear from you, the better we can coach you.
When Personal Training Is the Best Move
At Vero Strength, most people are required to complete a series of personal training sessions before joining the large group. This ensures that they understand how to move, learn modifications specific to them and understand the class flow enough to not get too lost at first.
Beyond these intro sessions, stick to personals if you:
- Are brand‑new or returning after a long training hiatus and want to build a foundation.
- Have pain, complex movement limitations, or a medical history that warrants close attention.
- Have a very specific goal that may not be achieved in a general strength and conditioning program.
- Need appointment‑level accountability to stay consistent.
Some of our members stick to classes and work in personals from time to time to focus on personal goals or sticking points. That hybrid path often wins.
Whether it's large group or personal training, the goal is the same: finding the approach that fits you best so you can train consistently and keep making progress.
