Group training for personal trainers is among the most researched health protocols, and it has been shown to improve people’s quality of life. Meaning training in groups makes people happier and less stressed, and if that’s not the main indicator of the success of any fitness solution, we don’t know what else could qualify.
Because when someone feels better, they don’t quit. They show up more, cancel less, and stay longer.
Group training works so well because of accountability, consistency, and a sense of belonging. They relate to the people they train with and connect more with their trainer.
And in 2025, that group doesn’t have to be in the same geographical space. Hybrid training allows people to train together from anywhere in the world and still feel that same sense of connection.
In this article, we’ll go through five reasons why adding group personal training can change the way you work, helping you earn more, keep clients longer, and let your community grow your business for you.
Table of Contents
- 1. Personal Training Scalability: Scale Your Income Without Losing Personalization
- 2. Build a Stronger Sense of Community and Accountability
- 3. Improve Client Retention and Satisfaction
- 4. Attract More Clients Through Affordable Options
- 5. Create Scalable Hybrid Fitness Experiences
- Getting Started with Group Personal Training
- Conclusion
#1: Personal Training Scalability: Scale Your Income Without Losing Personalization
Group sessions unlock true personal training scalability, helping you earn more, serve more clients, and maintain the same level of quality and attention across your programs.
By adding just a few more clients to a session, you’re not only increasing your income but also creating more energy and engagement in the room.
Clients get a premium experience at a lower price, and you get to coach more people in the same hour.
Studies show that members who train in small groups have a 56% lower risk of canceling their memberships. That means better retention and more long-term relationships.
Plus, once you’ve built that trust, upselling becomes natural. You can offer add-ons like nutrition support, habit coaching, or occasional semi-private training sessions for extra guidance.
So even if you position your group sessions as the “cheaper” option, the reality is they open up multiple revenue streams and make your business more scalable without losing the personal touch.
With ABC Trainerize, group training runs smoothly. You can assign programs to multiple clients, track everyone’s progress individually, and keep communication in one place.
With our group messaging feature, you get to keep members connected and accountable between sessions, while habit tracking and progress updates help you stay on top of each client’s results. It’s everything you need to manage, coach, and scale your groups, all from one app.
Free Guide: How to Transition Your Coaching Business to ABC Trainerize
#2: Build a Stronger Sense of Community and Accountability
People who train in groups push themselves 26% harder than when training alone. That higher effort translates into better results, stronger commitment, and higher overall satisfaction, all achieved during your group sessions, so you get to take the credit too!
Community plays a big part in that. When clients feel part of a team, they’re more likely to show up on time, not cancel or drop out, and talk about this experience with their loved ones.
That sense of belonging makes training more enjoyable and naturally drives referrals, because people share what they love doing and with whom.
For your group personal training business, that community is one of the most powerful retention tools you can have. It turns clients into advocates who promote your sessions, celebrate wins publicly, and bring in new members without you having to run another ad.
With ABC Trainerize, you can keep that same group energy alive with leaderboards and challenges to spark friendly competition and keep motivation high. Plus, shared habit tracking lets members see each other’s progress and stay accountable together.
Check Out: Selling Challenges and Adding Multiple Clients to Them Just Got Easier
#3: Improve Client Retention and Satisfaction
Members who attend 3 or more group classes per week are shown to stay an average of 35.3 months, compared to 23.4 months for those who don’t.
That’s almost a 50% longer membership, proof that the group fitness business model is one of the most sustainable ways to grow as a coach. It builds loyalty, creates energy, and multiplies your impact per hour.
Clients show up for the workout, but they stick around for “the tribe.” When someone feels supported, noticed, and part of something bigger, dropping out feels like letting the group down. That sense of belonging creates loyalty that discounts or new challenges alone can’t buy.
You can strengthen that connection through the systems you already use, such as progress tracking, and through your regular check-ins. When clients see their progress and celebrate it together, they’re reminded that the program works they feel invested.
Read More: Build Strong Relationships with Clients Through Engagement & Community
#4: Attract More Clients Through Affordable Options
Group personal training gives clients access to a premium coaching experience at a lower cost, while still protecting your income.
For many people, 1:1 training feels out of reach. But when they can join a small group, that barrier disappears, and so does the risk of losing them to cheaper, less personal options.
One idea is to position group sessions as your “access point” offer.
Clients start here because it’s affordable, but as they build trust and confidence, many naturally might upgrade to nutrition coaching, habit programs, or occasional 1:1 sessions for more personalization. The value is clear from day one; they get coaching, structure, and community all in one package.
If your goal is to increase gym revenue, group training is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do so. You might want to look into this strategy because it also has lower overhead, higher engagement, and long-term client retention.
Check Out: Making the Ultimate Client Workout Program
#5: Create Scalable Hybrid Fitness Experiences
The biggest shift in fitness right now is flexibility. People want options, some love showing up in person, others prefer training on their own time, and most want a mix of both. Group personal training fits perfectly into that hybrid model.
During the pandemic, online group workouts proved how powerful this format can be. Even after restrictions were lifted, research found that virtual and hybrid fitness programs continued to improve well-being and training adherence.
That demand for convenience and connection hasn’t gone away; it’s only grown stronger.
Here’s how it would play out:
- Create one scalable program: Build a group workout plan once and assign it to multiple clients. Everyone tracks their own progress individually under the same structure.
- Deliver workouts anywhere: You’re no longer tied to your local market. Now, you can train people in different cities or even different countries as part of the same program. Run sessions live in-person or upload recordings for clients who train remotely or want to repeat the session later.
- Keep everyone connected: Use group messaging to share updates, reminders, and celebrations in one place, no need for separate chats.
- Motivate with challenges and leaderboards: Track consistency, celebrate wins, and create friendly competition that keeps engagement high.
- Encourage daily consistency: Add habit tracking so clients check off hydration, recovery, or nutrition goals as part of their group program.
- Track and support progress: View attendance, completion rates, and performance trends across the whole group in one dashboard.
- Automate follow-ups: Set reminders or milestone alerts that trigger based on activity.
Read More: Hybrid Personal Training: The Best of Both Worlds for Clients and Trainers
Getting Started with Group Personal Training
Follow this simple framework to get started:
- Group size: 3–6 clients per session is ideal. It’s small enough to keep things personal but large enough to build energy and connection.
- Program structure: Choose one focus, strength, endurance, or mobility, and build around it. Keep workouts adaptable so each client can progress at their own pace.
- Pricing: Position group sessions between your 1:1 and large class rates. For example, if you charge $80/hour for private sessions, charge $40–50 per person for small groups.
- Schedule: Start with one recurring session per week, then scale based on demand and retention.
- Follow-up: Use quick check-ins, group messages, or progress updates to keep engagement strong between sessions.
If you’re running a hybrid setup, ABC Trainerize makes it easy to manage every part of the workflow, from program delivery and communication to tracking and payments. It’s your full coaching system, whether clients train together in the gym or from different time zones.
Free Resource: The Guide to High-Impact Habit Coaching
Conclusion
Group personal training is a smarter way to grow your business, one that builds stronger relationships, improves client results, and keeps people coming back.
When clients feel supported, connected, and part of something, they train harder and stay longer. That loyalty turns into retention, referrals, and stability for your business.
If you’re ready to take the next step, start experimenting with small groups and hybrid delivery. Build your first group program, test your pricing, and start connecting clients in ways that scale your impact.
Start today with ABC Trainerize, the platform built to help you manage, track, and grow your group training business.
