What Is Semi-Private Training? Benefits, Differences, and Real-World Results

If you’ve ever felt lost in a large fitness class or priced out of 1-on-1 personal training, you’re not alone. That’s where semi-private training comes in—a way to get individualized coaching without the pressure or cost of going it solo.

What is Semi-Private Training?

At Elevate Fitness in Mount Juliet, semi-private training is a small group setting (2–3 people) where each client follows a set workout program, personalized based on each clients abilities and training status, delivered under expert coaching.

You’re not doing a cookie-cutter workout—you’re getting tailored coaching, just in a shared environment.

Think of it as the sweet spot between personal training and large group classes: personalized, focused, and cost-effective.

Semi-Private vs. Group Fitness: What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest distinctions in the fitness world is the difference between semi-private training and traditional group fitness classes—especially those run by large franchises.

Franchise group workouts are typically built around a one-size-fits-all format. The workouts are created by corporate teams—far removed from the actual clients walking through the door. Local trainers follow a pre-written script, which leaves little room for personalization or hands-on coaching.

These classes can be fun and high-energy, but they often come with limitations:

• Little to no individual assessment before starting

• Pre-set workouts that ignore injuries, mobility issues, or fitness history

• High participant-to-coach ratios (1 to 20+), meaning form often goes unchecked

• Trainers with limited experience in programming or scaling exercises

• It’s easy to get lost in the crowd—especially if you’re just starting out

To be clear—I’m not here to bash those programs. They can work for some people. In fact, I worked at one of the most popular franchises (hint: they love the color orange and have a theory that, in theory, works…). The energy was high, the workouts were science-based, and the members were great.

But I left after less than two months. Why?

1. Trainers were certified online, and onboarding was all about managing the clock—not coaching technique or scaling for different fitness levels.

2. I had 20 seconds to demo complex movements like the Romanian deadlift—great exercise, but risky without proper instruction and mobility prep.

3. Most people followed along by watching a TV screen. If you got lost, your workout didn’t stop—just the coaching.

4. There was almost no time to give real-time feedback or offer corrections.

5. The cooldown? Rushed. Stretching was a checkbox—not a priority.

A Smarter, More Personal Approach

In contrast, semi-private training is built around the client—not the workout.

In my Midday Method sessions, each person follows a structured program that’s customized to their needs and goals—even though they’re training in the same time slot. I know their background, injury history, and what they’re working toward. We’re not chasing calorie burn or heart rate spikes. We’re building strength, mobility, and resilience—safely and strategically.

Here’s a real example from a recent Monday session in our Midday Method group, where squats were the main lift:

• Michelle was new to strength training, so we started with bodyweight box squats to dial in her form and depth.

• Nicole needed more quad strength and upright posture, so she used a heels-elevated low pulley squat.

• Kyle had been lifting for years, passed his movement screens, and was back squatting with a barbell.

All three were squatting—just in different ways that made sense for their bodies and goals.

While Michelle squatted, Nicole worked on hip strength with mini-band lateral walks, and Kyle focused on hip mobility. Then they rotated. Constant movement, active recovery, and purposeful programming—not chaos.

That’s the beauty of semi-private training: individualized coaching in a supportive, structured environment.

Why Semi-Private Training Works

Semi-private training combines the best of both worlds: personalized programming and social motivation. Clients get the structure they need—at ~1/3 the price of private training or the generic approach of group classes.

Key Benefits of Semi-Private Training:

• Customization – Each client follows a program tailored to their needs, goals, and limitations

• Accountability – Training with others fosters consistency and commitment

• Coaching Quality – Small groups allow for real-time feedback and movement corrections

• Visible Progress – Structured training cycles allow clients to see measurable results

• Nutrition – proper nutrition is ESSENTIAL to performance gains and fat loss, the small group format allows time to talk about nutrition, and with less overall clients I have more time to follow up and review diet logs and personalize nutrition advice.

The Added Benefit of Friendship

Another underrated benefit of semi-private training? The relationships.

In most cases, you’re training with the same 1-2 people over the course of a program. That creates consistency and camaraderie—without the competitiveness that can creep into larger class environments.

Everyone works at their own pace, using exercises tailored to their needs. But there’s something powerful about showing up together. Familiar faces. Friendly encouragement. Conversations between sets. Over time, those training partners become more than just gym acquaintances—they become a support system.

Unlike large group classes that can feel chaotic or performance-driven, semi-private training fosters connection, not comparison. Progress, not pressure.

I’ve seen clients form bonds that extend beyond the gym—trading recipes, checking in between sessions, even forming walking groups or grabbing coffee together. That kind of community doesn’t just feel good—it helps you stay consistent.

And consistency is where results live.

Real People. Real Progress.

These stories come from actual Midday Method clients. Names have been changed to respect their privacy, but the experiences reflect the kind of progress that’s possible when you show up consistently—regardless if you’ve been training for years or just thinking about getting started.

Jason – The Comeback Kid

Age: 52

Background: Former athlete, dealing with chronic shoulder pain

Goal: Regain strength without aggravating old injuries

Jason had been trying to get back in shape on his own, but every time he made progress, old injuries flared up. He trained hard—but not smart—doing too much chest work and punishing himself with push-ups and burpees to failure. The problem? No balance, no recovery, and poor movement patterns.

He joined our Strong Start Men’s Program, where we took a different approach:

1. Introduced foam rolling for his upper back, lats, and pecs

2. Added shoulder stability work using light kettlebells (arm bars and halos)

3. Focused on tempo, isometrics, and upper back/core strength (seal rows and face pulls)

The result? After one week, his shoulder stopped feeling stiff in the mornings. By week two, he felt stable and strong. And by week four, he was benching more than before—despite doing less chest work and focusing more on technique and joint health.

Emily – The Lunch Break Warrior

Age: 42

Background: Healthcare worker with an inconsistent workout history

Goal: Stay active, reduce stress, and feel stronger in daily life

Emily didn’t struggle with the workouts—she struggled with everything around them. Stress led to poor sleep, low energy, and inconsistent nutrition. We worked on building habits outside the gym to support her success inside it.

Here’s what we did:

1. Introduced 5 minutes of box breathing twice daily to manage stress

2. Had her complete a food journal 3x/week for four weeks, with feedback to guide better choices

3. Added a goal of 8,000 daily steps and a 5-minute pre-bed stretch routine to improve sleep and recovery

Three months later, she feels stronger, more energized at work, and finally sees fitness as something she enjoys—not something she has to force.

Sarah – The Midday Reset

Age: 48

Background: Busy working mom of two with a sedentary job

Goal: Increase energy and lose weight after months of feeling drained

Sarah hadn’t worked out in over a year and was intimidated by the idea of joining a gym. We started slow—just two midday sessions per week, focused on movement quality, strength, and building a routine.

Within six weeks, she was sleeping better, had fewer aches and pains, and even took her kids hiking—without back pain.

But what stood out most was what she said after a session:

“I never enjoyed working out and was scared to start again. The first few weeks were tough—I even told my husband I was losing motivation. But then I missed a session in week three, and I realized something had changed. I wanted to come back. For the first time, I started to love working out. The way it made me feel gave me so much confidence and energy.”

And that’s what it’s really about—rediscovering strength, rebuilding confidence, and realizing that progress goes far beyond a number on the scale.

Ready to Get Started?

If this sounds like the kind of training environment you've been looking for, you're not alone. I’m adding new Midday Method groups each month, and I also offer the option to create your own semi-private group—perfect if you have a couple of friends or coworkers who want to train together.

Whether you’re getting back into a routine, working around old injuries, or just want a smarter way to train, semi-private coaching gives you the support and structure to make real progress.

Interested? Reach out here to learn more or reserve a spot.