Group Training

One-on-one training has natural limits. There are only so many hours in a day, and trading time for money directly caps your income. Group training offers a path to earn more while serving more people.

Done well, group training can be as effective as individual coaching for many clients, more fun, more affordable for participants, and significantly more profitable for you. Done poorly, it becomes diluted coaching that leaves everyone dissatisfied.

This chapter covers how to structure group sessions, price them appropriately, manage mixed ability levels, and find great locations for outdoor training.

The Benefits of Group Training

For Your Business

Higher hourly revenue: Training 4-8 people at $30 each generates $120-240/hour versus $100 for a single client.

Scalable income: Break the time-for-money constraint of one-on-one training.

Community building: Groups create belonging, which improves retention and referrals.

Marketing opportunities: Visible group workouts attract attention and potential clients.

Variety in your work: Teaching groups uses different skills and keeps your work interesting.

For Clients

Lower cost per session: Makes training accessible to more people.

Social motivation: Training with others creates accountability and fun.

Friendly competition: Pushing alongside peers often produces better effort.

Community belonging: Relationships beyond just coach-client.

Flexibility: Easier to find a spot in group schedules than individual appointments.

Types of Group Training

Small Group Personal Training (2-4 people)

Close to individual training but with shared cost and social elements.

Pros:

• High-quality attention per person
• Can customize significantly
• Maintains personal coaching feel
• Good revenue per session

Cons:

• Dependent on consistent small group attendance
• Scheduling can be challenging
• Less scalable

Best for: Friends/partners wanting to train together, similar-level clients with shared goals.

Group Fitness Classes (5-15 people)

More structured classes with less individualization.

Pros:

• Highly scalable
• Creates strong community
• Efficient use of time
• Can run on set schedules

Cons:

• Less personal attention
• Harder to modify for individuals
• Requires programming for mixed levels

Best for: General fitness, conditioning, building community, reaching more people.

Large Bootcamps/Outdoor Classes (15+ people)

Event-style training sessions.

Pros:

• Maximum revenue potential per session
• Creates buzz and visibility
• Community atmosphere

Cons:

• Significant logistics
• Limited individualization
• Requires assistant coaches at larger sizes
• Weather-dependent for outdoor

Best for: Lead generation, community events, experienced coaches with systems in place.

Structuring Group Sessions

Group sessions require different programming than individual training.

Class Structure Template

Arrival/Setup (5 minutes)

• Welcome participants
• Quick announcements
• Set up equipment/space

Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Universal warm-up that everyone can do
• Led progressively (you demonstrate, they follow)
• Prepare for the day's movements

Skill/Technique Focus (10-15 minutes)

• Teach or refine a specific movement
• Provide progressions for different levels
• Allow practice time with coaching

Main Workout (20-25 minutes)

• Structured workout (circuit, AMRAP, EMOM, etc.)
• Clear instructions that work for all levels
• Active coaching during execution

Cool-Down (5-10 minutes)

• Group stretching/mobility
• Breathing exercises
• Session summary

Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

• Highlight wins/progress
• Announce next session
• Individual check-ins as needed

Programming for Groups

Keep instructions simple: Complex exercises or sequences create confusion in groups. Choose movements everyone can understand quickly.

Use time-based rather than rep-based work: "30 seconds of push-ups" works for all levels. "15 push-ups" creates wildly different experiences.

Provide scaling options: For every exercise, offer an easier and harder version. "Regular push-ups, or knees down for easier, or feet elevated for harder."

Create flow: Minimize equipment changes and transition time. Design workouts that move smoothly from one element to the next.

Balance attention needs: Pair high-coaching-need exercises with simpler ones so you can attend to those who need help.

Workout Formats That Work for Groups

Circuits: Stations with different exercises, participants rotate through.

• Time-based stations (45 seconds work, 15 seconds transition)
• Good for mixed equipment availability
• Allows staggered starts for large groups

AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible): Set time limit, participants complete as many rounds of a sequence as possible.

• Self-paced within the time
• Everyone works for the same duration
• Easy to track progress over time

EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute): Perform prescribed work each minute, rest the remainder.

• Structured rest periods
• Scalable by adjusting rep counts
• Good for skill practice

Partner/Team Workouts: Pairs or small teams work together.

• Built-in accountability
• Social engagement
• Creative workout possibilities

Time Trials: Complete a set workout as fast as possible.

• Easy to measure progress
• Creates excitement
• Needs careful safety monitoring

Managing Mixed Ability Levels

Every group includes different fitness levels. Managing this is essential for everyone's success.

The Scaling Philosophy

Everyone should:

• Work hard relative to their ability
• Feel challenged but not overwhelmed
• Experience success within the workout
• Progress over time

Scaling Strategies

1. Progression Levels for Every Exercise

For push-ups:

• Level 1: Wall push-ups
• Level 2: Incline push-ups (bench)
• Level 3: Knee push-ups
• Level 4: Regular push-ups
• Level 5: Deficit push-ups

Present options clearly: "Find your level. Everyone should feel challenged but maintain good form. There's no shame in choosing an easier option - that's how we build up."

2. Rep Adjustments

If prescribing reps:

• Beginners: 8 reps
• Intermediate: 12 reps
• Advanced: 16 reps

Or use percentage targets: "Aim for 70% of your max. If your max is 10, do 7."

3. Time-Based Work

Everyone works for the same time, at their own level. The advanced person does more reps; the beginner does fewer. Same experience, scaled appropriately.

4. Station-Based Differentiation

In circuits, assign different stations by level:

• Station A (beginner): Assisted squats
• Station A (advanced): Jump squats

Same station, different exercises.

Communication for Mixed Groups

Normalize scaling: "The goal is to find YOUR challenge, not to do what someone else is doing."

Praise effort, not absolute ability: "Great effort, everyone. I saw people pushing to their personal edges today."

Individual check-ins within group context: "Sarah, those were much deeper than last week. Nice progress."

Prevent ego-driven injuries: "Remember, we're building for the long term. Choose the level that lets you move well and stay safe."

Pricing Group Training

Group pricing requires balancing accessibility, profitability, and perceived value.

Pricing Approaches

Per-Session Drop-In: Clients pay per class attended.

• Simple and flexible
• Lower commitment for clients
• Unpredictable income for you

Typical range: $15-40 per session depending on location and service level.

Class Packages: Discounted bundles of sessions.

• 5-class pack: 10% discount
• 10-class pack: 15% discount
• 20-class pack: 20% discount

Encourages commitment while providing savings.

Monthly Unlimited: Fixed monthly fee for unlimited attendance.

• Predictable recurring revenue
• Encourages attendance (good for results)
• Need to manage capacity

Typical range: $100-250/month depending on frequency and market.

Hybrid Memberships: Combine group classes with occasional one-on-one sessions.

• Example: Unlimited group + 2 private sessions/month for $300

Calculating Profitability

Per-session revenue calculation:

If you charge $25/person and average 8 people per session: $25 × 8 = $200/session

Minus costs (location, equipment, etc.): $200 - $30 = $170 net per session

Compare to your one-on-one rate. If you charge $100/hour privately, group training at $170/hour is significantly more profitable.

Break-even calculation:

How many people minimum to match your private rate?

Private rate: $100/hour Group rate: $25/person Break-even: 4 people

Anything above 4 people is more profitable than private training.

Price Positioning

Too cheap: Devalues your service, attracts price-shoppers, unsustainable.

Too expensive: Eliminates group training's accessibility advantage.

Sweet spot: Affordable enough to attract groups, high enough to be profitable and signal quality.

Research competitor pricing in your area. Position based on your service quality and target market.

Location Scouting for Outdoor Training

Outdoor calisthenics training requires suitable locations.

What to Look For

Equipment availability:

• Pull-up bars
• Parallel bars (dip station)
• Rings or TRX anchor points
• Low bars or benches

Open space:

• Room for group movement
• Space for circuits or stations
• Area for running/conditioning work

Surface quality:

• Grass or turf for floor work
• Flat, even ground
• Not too hard (concrete can be tough on joints)

Accessibility:

• Easy to find
• Adequate parking
• Public transit access if applicable

Safety considerations:

• Not in high-traffic areas
• Away from vehicles
• Adequate lighting if training early/late

Weather shelter nearby:

• Trees for shade
• Covered areas for rain options

Common Outdoor Venues

Outdoor fitness parks: Purpose-built calisthenics equipment, designed for this exact use.

Playgrounds: Often have pull-up bars and climbing structures. Check local regulations about adult use.

Public parks: Open space even without equipment. Bring portable gear.

School grounds: May allow use outside school hours. Ask for permission.

Beach/waterfront: Unique atmosphere, sand adds challenge. Watch for tides and weather.

Corporate campuses: Some allow outdoor fitness classes for employees.

Permits and Permissions

Public parks: Many require permits for commercial use. Contact your city's parks department.

Permit considerations:

• Fees (often $50-200 for commercial use)
• Liability requirements
• Designated areas or times
• Maximum group sizes

Private property: Get written permission from property owners.

Best practice: Start with permit compliance. Getting cited or banned hurts your reputation and disrupts your business.

Portable Equipment Options

When fixed equipment isn't available:

Resistance bands: Versatile, lightweight, affordable

Suspension trainers (TRX-style): Attach to trees, poles, or structures

Parallettes: Portable dip and push-up stations

Gymnastic rings: Hang from structures, trees, or portable rigs

Ab wheels, sliders: Small equipment for variety

Cones and markers: For circuit setup and running drills

Yoga mats: For floor work comfort

Invest in a "mobile gym" kit that fits in your car and covers most training needs.

Building a Group Training Schedule

Starting Out

Begin with one or two weekly group sessions:

• Choose convenient times (early morning, lunch, after work)
• Be consistent with schedule
• Build momentum gradually

Growing Your Schedule

As demand grows:

• Add sessions on different days/times
• Offer specialty classes (beginner-focused, skill-focused, conditioning-focused)
• Create progression pathways

Managing Capacity

Minimum attendance: Below a certain number, sessions aren't profitable. Decide your minimum (3-4 people typical) and cancellation policy.

Maximum capacity: Beyond a point, quality suffers. Determine your max based on:

• Space available
• Your ability to coach effectively
• Equipment limitations

Waitlists: When sessions fill, keep waitlists to fill cancellation spots and gauge demand for additional sessions.

Weather Contingency

For outdoor training:

• Clear cancellation policy (how much notice, refund/reschedule policy)
• Alternative indoor location if possible
• Workout modifications for light rain
• Communication plan for weather cancellations

Marketing Group Training

Positioning

Why should someone join your group vs. training alone or elsewhere?

• Community and camaraderie
• Professional programming and coaching
• Calisthenics expertise
• Outdoor/unique environment
• Results and progression tracking

Promotion Strategies

Free trial classes: Remove barrier to entry

Bring-a-friend deals: Referral incentives

First-month discounts: Encourage commitment

Consistent visibility: Regular public sessions build awareness

Social media content: Share class highlights, transformations, community moments

From Group to Private

Group classes are excellent feeders for private coaching:

"If you'd like more personalized attention or are working toward specific skills, I also offer one-on-one coaching."

Some clients start in groups and upgrade. Others do both simultaneously.

Common Group Training Mistakes

1. Trying to individualize too much: Accept that groups require standardized programming. Save customization for private sessions.

2. Poor time management: Classes that run over or feel rushed frustrate participants. Rehearse your timing.

3. Ignoring beginners: Don't let advanced participants dominate attention. Beginners need more coaching.

4. Not creating community: Groups without social connection feel like crowded private training. Foster relationships.

5. Inconsistent scheduling: Changing times and days confuses clients. Commit to a consistent schedule.

6. Skipping permits: Operating without required permits creates legal and reputation risk.

7. Weather unpreparedness: No plan for rain or extreme conditions shows poor professionalism.

Your Group Training Action Plan

Before moving to the next chapter:

1. Decide which type of group training fits your goals (small group, classes, bootcamp)
2. Scout 2-3 potential locations and research permit requirements
3. Design a template class structure
4. Create a pricing structure for your group offerings
5. Plan your first group session date and marketing approach

Group training expands your impact and income potential significantly. It requires different skills than one-on-one coaching, but those skills are learnable.

In the next chapter, we'll explore online coaching - reaching clients anywhere in the world without geographic limitations.