What Is Semi-Private Personal Training? A South Melbourne Guide
Semi-private personal training is coaching in a small group of up to four people, where each person follows their own individual program with a coach supervising, correcting and progressing everyone in the session. You get a personal program and real coaching for roughly half the per-session cost of one-on-one training.
It is the most popular way to train at Revolution Personal Training in South Melbourne, and the format most of our members settle on. Here is how it works, what it costs, and who it suits.
How does a semi-private session work?
A semi-private session looks like a quiet, focused personal training session that happens to have a few other people in it. At our Market Street studio, a typical session runs like this:
- You arrive and warm up with drills chosen for your program and how your body feels on the day.
- Each person works through their own strength program, with their own exercises, weights and targets.
- The coach moves between up to four people, coaching technique, adjusting loads and making sure every set is done well.
- Your coach reviews your program regularly and progresses it as you get stronger.
Because the group is small, the coach sees every one of your working sets. It is very different from a group class, where everyone does the same workout at the same time.
Why do small groups work so well?
Small groups work because they combine individual coaching with a bit of shared energy and accountability. Training next to two or three people who are also working hard makes it easier to turn up and to push a little more, while the small numbers mean your coach still catches every technique fault. Many members also find the rest periods between sets more enjoyable with a few familiar faces around, which is a big part of why semi-private members tend to stay consistent for years rather than weeks.
What should you expect in your first few weeks?
Your first few weeks of semi-private training are about learning your program and building a routine. Your coach starts with an assessment, usually in a one-on-one session, then writes a program around your goals, training history and any injuries. In the following sessions you learn each exercise, find the right starting weights, and get used to how the studio runs. By week three or four most people know their program well enough to move between exercises with little prompting, which frees the coach to focus on technique and progression. Programs are reviewed every few weeks so you keep moving forward.
Is semi-private training cheaper than personal training?
Yes. At Revolution Personal Training, semi-private coaching is $65 a week for one session, $120 a week for two ($60 a session) and $165 a week for three ($55 a session). A casual semi-private session is $69. One-on-one personal training starts at $159 a week for one session. Combined memberships add unlimited group training: Bronze is $109 a week with one semi-private session, Silver $149 with two and Gold $199 with three.
See every price side by side in our 2026 South Melbourne price guide.
Semi-private vs one-on-one vs group training
| Format | People per coach | Program | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-on-one personal training | 1 | Fully individual | $159 a week |
| Semi-private training | Up to 4 | Fully individual | $65 a week |
| Group training | Small group class | Same session for everyone | $49 a week |
Who is semi-private training best for?
Semi-private training suits most people who want a program written for them and coaching on technique, without paying for a coach’s undivided attention. It works especially well if you:
- Know the basics, or are happy to learn them alongside a couple of others.
- Want to get stronger and fitter on a plan that progresses week to week.
- Enjoy some company and energy in the room but not a big class.
- Want coaching two or three times a week at a sustainable cost.
One-on-one is a better fit if you are rehabilitating an injury, have a complex health condition, or are preparing for a specific performance goal. In those cases our accredited exercise physiologists or a private coach can start you off, then many people move into semi-private. Read more on our semi-private training page.
How to try semi-private training
The easiest way to try it is the 21-Day Jump Start at $327. You get one one-on-one session to set your program, then four semi-private sessions to train it with a coach, plus unlimited group training and nutrition and accountability coaching for 21 days. Most people then continue on Bronze at $109 a week or Silver at $149 a week. We are at 17A Market Street, South Melbourne, close to Albert Park, Port Melbourne and the CBD.
Frequently asked questions
How many people are in a semi-private session?
Up to four people train with one coach in a semi-private session at Revolution Personal Training, and each person follows their own program.
Is semi-private training as good as one-on-one?
For most people with general strength and fitness goals, yes. You still get an individual program and coaching on every set. One-on-one is better for injury rehabilitation or very specific performance goals.
How much does semi-private training cost in South Melbourne?
At Revolution Personal Training, semi-private training is $65 a week for one session, $120 a week for two and $165 a week for three. A casual session is $69.