Group Training Equipment

This is for all the personal trainers out there.

Group training is one of the most time efficient and profitable ways to earn a living as a personal trainer.  If you can get decent sized groups together you will usually earn much more per hour than you would with one on one clients, and groups clients are often easier to retain for a couple of reasons: groups offer socialisation for clients, which is an added incentive to train, and with the lower session price per individual it's more affordable.

I personally think that group sessions are easier to run too and not as emotionally taxing as some one on one sessions can be.  I'm sure all of you have had those clients where the conversation is a bit forced and you just don't seem to "click" - those sessions can drag on.  The dynamics of a group environment are often more fun and stimulating.

Below is a selection of equipment that is really well suited to group training.

Kettlebells

In my opinion, kettlebells are probably the best group training equipment around for the following reasons:

• With just one weight per person and very little space you can get full body training and fantastic training effects
• They are extremely versatile
• Exercises are easily modified in a group situation (eg for individuals with injuries or for different skill levels)
• They're transportable and can be used indoor or outdoors
• They'll last a lifetime so are an excellent investment

Power Bands

Power Bands are another excellent piece of equipment for group training:

• Light and highly portable
• Very versatile
• Plenty of options for all different skill levels
• Easy to use and ideal for beginners
• Provide a full body workout

Aquabags

Aquabags are so much fun to use and great for group training, for many of the same reasons that kettlebells are but are slightly less technical to use than kettlebells:

• With just one Aquabag per person and very little space you can get full body training and fantastic training effects
• They are extremely versatile, especially with the two different handle positions
• Exercises are easily modified in a group situation (eg for individuals with injuries or for different skill levels)
• They're easy for beginners to get the hang of
• They're soft so are gentle when they impact on the body

The Matrix

The Matrix is really the ultimate in group training equipment if you have the room for a fixed structure:

• The Matrix is customisable so you can set one up to suit your specific group training needs
• The Matrix can be used in conjuction with many other pieces of eqipment, such as bands, rings, Torsonators, barbells etc so gives you endless options for exercises and can be used for many different training outcomes (from pure strength training to more cardio based training)
• The Matrix is very solid and can take large numbers of people training simultaneously