What Is Semi-Private Training?
Here at Terre Haute Intensity Resistance and Sports Training (THIRST) we use a unique model called semi-private training. This is probably the most common topic discussed when we meet with new athletes and personal training clients, and discussing how it works compared to other personal training based services.
To kick things off, know that semi-private training is becoming a mainstay in bigger markets and the fitness industry has exploded with this model of training. We’ll get to why here in a bit, but know that we at THIRST are not responsible for it’s inception. We merely use this model as it’s what we’ve had experience with using during internships, working for other gyms, and working with clients for well over a decade over our careers.
In it’s simplest terms, semi-private training is personalized training provided in a group based atmosphere. Here at THIRST, our model is designed where we can work with up to five clients or athletes per coach or trainer on the floor. What makes this private is that each client is provided their own training program based off their assessment and consultation, just as if you were to work one-on-one with a personal trainer in a globo gym (although your personal trainer in a globo gym probably isn’t providing an assessment). The minor difference is there could potentially be up to four others in your given time slot as well. Notice that we said “up to”. In most cases than not, at THIRST our normal ratio is two to three clients or athletes with one coach. This is super manageable for both parties, and for the most part is pretty close to what you would get with a one-on-one service.
What Are The Benefits To Semi-Private Training?
Yes, it’s safe.
We work with a very athletic population, and by far the most common concern we get is how safe the environment will be for the child. In our tenure at THIRST, we’ve had ZERO athletes or clients get hurt in the weight room, and have ZERO injuries outside of the weight room for our athletes.
Chances are if your child can operate a cell phone, play sports in a group setting, or you can learn to shoot a gun in a group setting, semi-private training is entirely safe. As coaches and trainers, we are the ones also programming and dictating the workouts, so we are going to provide exercises and movements that you are ready for and capable of performing at a high level.
Each client is still taught how to train, how to perform exercises, how to warm-up, and how to be safe in the room. We do actually coach, and from our experience our athletes and clients learn how to train better than any other facility in the area.
Be part of a community.
Without hesitation we believe the best thing from a semi-private model is the community that is cater through relationships. Typically as humans we are creatures of habit, and we like to have schedules where things flow well from week to week,. Well it’s not uncommon that we see the same people at the same time, and the same goes for the clients and athletes. When you’re getting your workout on around other motivated athletes and clients, you’re bound to make some relationships and connections you didn’t know you could.
We have athletes from every age level to sport working right alongside our personal training client that is retired or a marketing professional, etc. Either way, this communication for both parties gives you as a client/athlete the comfort that others are working hard to obtain their goals right there with you, and to celebrate the accomplishments along the way.
Get a better bang-for-your-buck.
If you’re reading this you’re probably a potential customer of ours at THIRST, and we want you to know we’re humans just like you, and enjoy a good deal when we can get one. As a future client/athlete, semi-private training is a major money saver on what is typically deemed as a “luxury service”. Most training services cost anywhere from $60-$100 per session for strictly one-on-one training. With our semi-private training, you can get the same level of experience (and in our opinion even better) with a fraction of the price tag.
In addition to that, with a semi-private model, your training sessions are entirely flexible with no consequences for cancellations. This is an excellent system for parents that have kids with a moving sports schedule or the adult with uncertainty in their life. If this would happen with a one-on-one session, chances are you would be billed for leaving the time-slot vacant.
Improved social constructs.
As a team, THIRST has trained collectively more than 3000 hours while in business and in our careers approaching 20,000 hours of coaching. That’s a ton. We’ve done small groups, one-on-one, and semi-private sessions and there is one thing that we’ve noticed time after time….the clients truly enjoy being in an outgoing group environment, even when they are naturally an introvert. Parents often come to us explaining how much their child has benefitted from the confidence and socialization improvement just as much as the power, strength, and performance improvements. We know that kids love to be around other kids their age, and a semi-private model is above and beyond a home-run when it comes to buy-in and trust when they have friends they can count on to be there.
So What Are The Drawbacks, If Any?
The semi-private model doesn’t really have any drawbacks, unless one-on-one training is what you’re really after.
It’s not truly private.
By now you’ve probably gathered that you’ll very likely not be getting one-on-one attention the whole time. If you’re dead-set on having just one person work with you and no one else be present, unfortunately the semi-private model likely isn’t for you. We get it…some people really want the focus to be all on them.
There’s a learning curve.
For most people it will take about one to two weeks to get the hang of the semi-private model. However, when a new client jumps in to our model we set them up with a coach for one-on-one training for the first week. This is so we can teach them how to read the programs, learn the exercises, and become comfortable. Most pick up on things really quickly and have no issues, while some younger athletes need a bit more time to get the hang of things and let it settle. So long as you’re willing to be patient and learn the system, it’s smooth sailing (after all we can get 11 year olds to figure it out). But for some, they don’t want to learn how to exercise and train – in which one-on-one training is likely the preferred coaching route you need for success.
In Summary
So there you have a brief idea of how semi-private training works and how it can potentially benefit you and/or your child. We currently carry more active sports performance athletes and personal training clients than any other facility in the area, and we believe that the semi-private model has allowed us to provide high-quality training at a price that is the best in the area. If you have any questions regarding our semi-private model, please feel free to contact us. We’d love to set up a free assessment and consultation to show you how we can benefit you and/or your youth athlete.
