The choice between small group training and one-on-one personal training comes down to your goals, budget, and personality. Small groups offer community, affordability, and expert instruction at $49-89 per week. One-on-one training provides full attention and bespoke programming at $159-339 per week. At Revolution Personal Training in South Melbourne, we run both so you can pick what actually fits your life right now.
Most people don’t need to choose one forever. Many of our members start in a group for confidence and cost, upgrade to semi-private (2-3 people) when they want more focus, and add one-on-one sessions for specific goals like powerlifting or injury recovery. The best fit depends on where you’re starting from.
Small Group Training: Community, Cost, and Accountability
Small group training at RevoPT runs in groups of 4-8 people, so you’re getting real attention from a coach without paying for their full time. It’s $49-89 per week depending on your membership tier, and sessions run Monday to Friday, mornings and evenings.
The biggest win with groups is accountability. You’re showing up because your crew is there. You know the other members, you joke with them, and you push harder because someone’s always watching (in the best way). Groups also create a real fitness community: people celebrate each other’s wins, spot each other safely, and make the whole thing way less lonely than training alone.
From a coaching standpoint, we run the same program structure for everyone in a session (same main lift, same rep ranges, same conditioning), but each coach watches the group and scales the load for each person. A beginner lifts 20kg while someone stronger lifts 60kg, but you’re both doing the same movement in the same session. This is efficient for learning movement patterns and staying safe.
The tradeoff: your program isn’t custom-built for you alone. If you’re training alongside four others, the session has to work for everyone. We adjust on the fly, but there’s a limit to how specific we can get without losing the group rhythm.
One-on-One Training: Precision, Speed, and Full Attention
With one-on-one training, your coach is yours. Every minute of the session is designed around your goals, injuries, preferences, and schedule. At RevoPT, that’s $159-339 per week, and your coach learns exactly how you move, what you respond to, and what you’ll actually do consistently.
One-on-one is the fastest way to fix movement problems. A coach can feel a fault in your squat depth or shoulder position and correct it instantly. Groups can’t always spot individual issues in real time. It’s also the only option if you’re rehabbing an injury, training for a specific sport, or working toward a deadline (like a competition or wedding).
You also get full-custom programming. Your coach might program a Monday session different from your mate’s because your knees respond better to trap-bar deadlifts. You get all the specificity and personality, and zero compromise.
The tradeoff: it costs more, and you’re relying on one person’s schedule. If your coach is booked, you might have gaps. And honestly, some people find one-on-one sessions less fun because there’s no crew vibe.
The Middle Ground: Semi-Private Training
RevoPT also runs semi-private sessions (2-3 people) for $65-199 per week. This is our sweet spot for people who want more attention than a full group but don’t need the cost of one-on-one. Two mates can train together and get semi-custom programming. Your coach can scale for you both individually and keep the community feel.
How to Decide: A Quick Framework
Start with small group if: You’re new to strength training or fitness. You want to try training without big cost. You’re motivated by community and accountability. You’re not recovering from injury.
Go one-on-one if: You have a specific goal or deadline (sport, comp, injury rehab). You’ve hit a plateau and need custom programming. You’re willing to pay for precision. You prefer one coach who knows you deeply.
Try semi-private if: You want group feel but more attention. You have a training partner or mate who’s also starting out. You want to split the cost of more custom programming.
At RevoPT in South Melbourne, you can also mix and match. Many of our members do 2-3 group sessions per week (core community) plus one semi-private or one-on-one session for something specific. This approach gives you the affordability and motivation of groups plus the precision of custom work.
Real Talk on Results
You’ll get results from both. We’ve had clients build serious strength, lose 10kg, and change their body composition in small groups. We’ve also had one-on-one clients quit after six months because they didn’t like training alone.
The best program is the one you’ll actually stick to for 12-16 weeks. If you hate the vibe, you’ll quit. If you can’t afford it, you’ll quit. If you love the people or the coach, you’ll stay and get the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try both before committing?
Yes. The 21-Day Jump Start Program at RevoPT includes 1-on-1 PT, semi-private, and unlimited group sessions for $327 upfront. It’s the best way to sample everything and see what clicks. After that, you can lock in a membership (Bronze $109/week, Silver $149/week) that mixes the sessions you actually want.
If I’m a total beginner, is group training safe?
Yes, totally safe if the coach is paying attention. At RevoPT, our coaches cue movement, scale load, and modify for beginners in every session. Your first group will feel like everyone’s been training forever, but you’ll settle in quickly. And if you’re worried, the Jump Start gives you one-on-one sessions to build confidence first.
How long before I see results in a group?
4-6 weeks to feel stronger. 8-12 weeks to see body changes. Same as one-on-one, honestly. The difference isn’t speed; it’s specificity and attention. Groups work, they just take a bit longer if you need to reverse an injury or train for something precise.
Can I switch between group and one-on-one?
Absolutely. Start in groups, add one-on-one for a specific goal, drop back to groups once you’ve nailed it. We adjust your membership whenever you want.
What Happens Next?
If you’re in South Melbourne or the bayside and you’re ready to stop wondering and start training, your first step is the 21-Day Jump Start. It’s $327 for 21 days, includes everything (1-on-1, semi-private, unlimited group), and you can cancel anytime. After that, you’ll know exactly which format suits you.
Click below to book your first session.