We’ve all been there: You’re all pumped for a group fitness class, but then life throws you a curveball—work runs late, your dog eats your shoes, you miss class and suddenly your workout plans for the week are off track. It happens. But relying on group classes to stay active can leave you stuck in this cycle, especially when your schedule doesn’t align with class times. That’s where learning to work out on your own comes in.
Not only can you skip the race against time to get to class, but you can also focus on your specific fitness goals instead of settling for whatever workout is on the menu that day. Here’s why (and how) you should start working out solo and the benefits that come with it.
1. Break Free from Class Dependency
Group fitness classes are a great way to get moving, but they also tie you to a specific schedule. Miss a class, and suddenly you’ve lost momentum for the week. When you start working out on your own, you get the freedom to exercise whenever it fits into your life.
This flexibility is key to staying consistent—which is ultimately what brings results. Plus, when you don’t have to rush to fit into a class schedule, there’s a lot less stress involved in getting your workout done. No more racing to make that 6 a.m. class when all you really want is coffee.
Flexibility means fewer excuses, and fewer excuses mean better consistency.
2. Group Workouts Aren’t Tailored to Your Goals
While group classes are great for general fitness, they may not focus on your personal goals—whether it’s building muscle tone in specific areas like your arms, increasing strength, or improving performance. Group workouts are designed to hit a broad spectrum of fitness needs, which often means they don’t target specific muscle groups with enough intensity.
If you want to grow your legs, strengthen your back, or sculpt your arms, you need a workout that’s designed to do just that. Most people don’t know what this kind of plan looks like, but that’s where a coach can help. They can design a workout plan specifically for you, focusing on the sets, reps, and exercises that will target your goals.
If you’re unsure about the specific goals of the workouts you’ve been doing with your coach or at the gym, don’t hesitate to ask them what phase of training you’re in or what the focus is. If the answer is vague or generic or always “fat loss” or “burn a lot of calories”, it might be time to find a new coach who can provide more personalized direction and structure.
What You Need to Know to Get Started: Progressive Overload
One of the most important principles in any workout plan—whether you’re training solo or with a coach—is progressive overload. This means gradually increasing the difficulty of your workouts by adding more weight, increasing reps, or shortening rest times. By consistently challenging your muscles, you force them to adapt, grow, and get stronger.
Without progressive overload, you’ll quickly hit a plateau, even if you’re working out regularly. Your muscles need to be challenged to continue growing, so simply repeating the same workout without increasing intensity won’t bring the results you’re after.
If your coach can’t explain how progressive overload has been incorporated into your training or how their program ensures ongoing progress, it’s time to look for a new coach who can.
Not All Workouts Are Created Equal
If you’re thinking you can just find any workout online and get started, it’s a little more complicated than that. Following random routines without a structured plan won’t help you achieve your specific goals. Plus, you run the risk of injury or burnout.
That’s why working with a coach is so important. An experienced coach will develop a plan that’s customized for you, considering factors like your goals, fitness level, injuries, and progress. Whether through semi-private or online coaching, you’ll have the guidance you need to stay on track and progress safely.
3. Leverage Semi-Private, Private, (or Online) Training for FORM & Customization
Here’s where semi-private, private, and online training come into play. If you’re unsure how to structure your own workouts or if your form is safe and efficient, a coach can guide you. In a semi-private training setting, you get personalized feedback while also benefiting from a more affordable price compared to private training.
But the real magic happens when you work with your coach to create a supplemental workout plan for your solo sessions if you can't add an extra day due to budget or schedule restraints.
A good coach can design a workout specifically for you that complements your regular training and focuses on increasing sets and volume in the muscle groups you want to improve—whether that’s hypertrophy (muscle growth) or strength. This approach lets you target those areas more intensely on your own time, reinforcing the work you’re doing in your semi-private or private sessions.
For example, if you’re looking to build stronger legs or add size to your arms, your coach can design a plan that you can do on your own increases volume in these areas. This extra focus brings big dividends by ensuring you’re hitting your goals, even when you’re not in the gym with your trainer. And if you prefer working out at home, an online coach can create a program that fits your lifestyle and gradually scales as you get stronger and more consistent.
While I may be biased (since this is exactly the kind of coach I am), a great coach should be empowering you to work out on your own and helping you build long-term habits for a lasting lifestyle change. If your coach or gym isn’t doing that, it might be worth considering a switch to one that does.
The Advantage of Fully Online Coaching
For those who need even more flexibility, fully online coaching can be a game-changer. With an online coach, your entire fitness program is customized to your goals, schedule, and unique needs. Whether you’re training at home, at the gym, or with limited equipment, an online coach can design a workout plan that works around your lifestyle, no matter how busy it gets.
Here’s what makes online coaching so effective:
• Tailored to Your Goals – Every workout is designed with your personal goals in mind—whether you want to build muscle, improve strength, or increase endurance. Your coach will adjust your workout plan to target the specific muscle groups you want to see progress in, while making sure you’re hitting the right amount of sets, reps, and overall volume for results.
• Flexible Scheduling – You’re no longer tied to a specific class or gym time. Your coach can build a program around your available time, whether you can only squeeze in a 30-minute session at lunch or prefer longer weekend workouts. Plus, the program can be adjusted as your schedule changes and your coach can hold you accountable to getting them done, so you always stay on track.
• Comprehensive Approach – An online coach takes your body’s needs into account, including any injuries, fitness level, and recovery time. They can modify your workouts to fit your abilities while still ensuring you’re making progress. As you grow stronger, your coach will gradually increase the intensity to ensure you’re constantly challenging yourself through progressive overload.
• Total Volume Management – Your coach will ensure you’re training at the right volume to avoid overtraining while still pushing you towards your goals. This careful balance of intensity and rest ensures that you’re training smart, not just hard.
Online coaching offers the personalized, flexible, and results-driven approach that’s often missing from general fitness classes. It’s like having your very own fitness blueprint designed specifically for you.
Ready to Take Control of Your Fitness?
If you’re tired of relying on group classes that don’t align with your goals or schedule, I can help at an affordable price. As an online coach, I specialize in creating personalized workout plans that complement your training, focus on your specific fitness goals, and give you the flexibility to work out on your own.
Let’s build your custom fitness plan together—apply for coaching today and start seeing the results you deserve!
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