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Private Personal Training vs. Group Classes: Which Is Right for You?

Not Sure Whether You Need Personal Training or a Group Class?

If you’re thinking about getting back into training or stepping things up, you’ve probably considered both options.

Group classes are everywhere bootcamps, spin, circuits, HIIT.
Personal training feels more tailored… but is it worth the investment?

At Soma Fitness in Hale, we get this question all the time.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences and how to choose the right path for you.


Group Classes: The Pros & The Pitfalls

Pros:

  • Affordable

  • Good for general fitness

  • Social and community-based

  • Fun, fast-paced, high energy

Pitfalls:

  • One-size-fits-all programming

  • No individual coaching or form correction

  • Difficult to progress if you’ve got specific goals

  • Risk of injury if movements aren’t coached properly

  • Not ideal if you’re new to training or returning after injury


Private Personal Training: The Real Difference

At Soma Fitness, personal training is more than just 1-1 workouts.
It’s a full coaching system designed to help you achieve results safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

✅ Personalised training programme based on your goals, body, and lifestyle
✅ Injury-aware coaching all our coaches are qualified in injury rehab and corrective exercise
✅ Full movement assessments
✅ Clear progression, performance tracking, and structured phases
✅ Ongoing nutrition, recovery, and mindset support
✅ Flexible scheduling around your work and family life
✅ Private studio space no crowds, no distractions, no intimidation

You don’t just “go hard” for 60 minutes. You train with purpose and build long-term results.


So Which One is Right for You?

Ask yourself:

❓Do you want general fitness or a body/strength transformation?
→ Group classes may help get you moving, but PT will deliver measurable changes.

❓Do you have any injuries, movement restrictions, or confidence issues?
→ Then structured coaching is the safer, smarter option.

❓Are you stuck, plateaued, or spinning your wheels doing the same thing?
→ Personal training will help you break through that plateau with clarity and strategy.

❓Do you want accountability and results not just a sweat?
→ Coaching wins every time.


Why Soma Fitness Might Be the Right Fit for You

We’re not a class-based gym.
We’re a private training studio for people who want more than just a quick fix.

Our clients come to us because:

  • They’re tired of guessing

  • They’ve tried the classes, the apps, the gym memberships

  • They want personalised help, long term change, and expert support

Whether your goal is fat loss, strength, confidence, injury rehab, or simply feeling better we’ll build the right plan for you.


Still Not Sure? That’s What the Consultation Is For

If you’re based in Hale, Altrincham, or the surrounding area, we offer a free consultation where we:
✅ Talk through your goals, lifestyle, and training history
✅ Do a quick posture/mobility screen
✅ Show you around the studio
✅ Answer all your questions
✅ Make honest recommendations no pressure, no obligation

Visit us at Soma Fitness, 37 Hale Road, Altrincham WA14 2EY
Book your free consultation here: CONTACT US
Follow us on Instagram @somafitness

Why Most “Fat Loss Workouts” Fail & What Actually Works Long-Term

Still Not Losing Fat Even Though You’re Training Hard?

You’re not alone.

At Soma Fitness in Hale, we meet people all the time who are doing everything “right”:
✅ HIIT classes
✅ 10k steps a day
✅ Clean eating
✅ Gym 4–5 times per week

But the scales won’t budge… or worse, they lose a little, then gain it back.

Here’s the truth: most fat loss workouts are designed to make you tired not better.
And that’s the problem.

Let’s break down why these approaches fail and what actually works for long-term fat loss and body transformation.


1. They Focus on Calories Burned, Not Adaptations Built

Yes, burning calories helps with fat loss but if that’s your only goal, you’re always chasing the burn.

❌ Endless burpees
❌ High heart rate = “good workout”
❌ No structure or long-term progression

What your body actually needs is muscle-preserving, metabolism-supporting training not just sweat.

Our solution at Soma:
✅ Structured resistance training
✅ Progressive overload
✅ Smart conditioning protocols (not punishment)
✅ Long-term adaptation > short-term fatigue


2. They Neglect Nutrition or Go Too Extreme

You can’t out-train a poor diet.
But you also can’t stick to an extreme one.

The typical fat loss plan:
❌ Slashes calories
❌ Cuts carbs
❌ Leads to binges on weekends
❌ Leaves you tired, moody, and burnt out

At Soma Fitness, we coach you through:
✅ Realistic calorie control (no starvation)
✅ High-protein, high-satiety eating
✅ Nutrition that fits around work, social life, and family meals
✅ Flexible dieting with structure not restriction


3. They Aren’t Sustainable So You Burn Out and Quit

Most programs fail not because they don’t work…
But because they’re impossible to stick to.

Extreme classes. Meal plans that don’t fit your life. Zero support when motivation drops.
It’s no wonder people bounce from one “fat loss phase” to another.

We help clients build:
✅ Sustainable habits
✅ Adaptable routines
✅ Systems that work through holidays, stress, and busy weeks
✅ Coaching support to guide you through plateaus, challenges, and mindset dips


4. They Don’t Prioritise Strength and Muscle

This is the missing link in most fat loss journeys especially for people over 30.

Without strength training:
❌ You lose muscle as well as fat
❌ Your metabolism slows
❌ You end up skinny-fat, not lean and strong
❌ You regain the weight faster

At Soma, we prioritise building and preserving muscle because it’s your fat loss engine.
It improves your shape, energy, and long-term health.


5. They Offer No Accountability

Fat loss isn’t just about workouts and meals it’s about staying consistent when life gets tough.

Most apps and gyms leave you on your own.
We don’t.

Our clients have:
✅ 1-1 coaching
✅ Weekly check-ins and feedback
✅ WhatsApp support and adjustments
✅ Long-term structure not guesswork

You’ll never wonder “what should I do now?” because we’ve already got the plan in place.


Want to Finally Make Progress That Sticks?

You don’t need more random fat-burning workouts.
You need a plan, coaching, and a system that fits your life.

Train at Soma Fitness, 37 Hale Road, Altrincham WA14 2EY
Book your free consultation today: CONTACT US

Building Strength After 50: Why It’s Never Too Late to Start Lifting

“Am I Too Old to Start Lifting?”

It’s one of the most common questions we hear at Soma Fitness especially from new clients in their 50s, 60s, or even 70s.

And the answer is simple:
No. You’re not too old. In fact, this is exactly when you should start.

At our private studio in Hale, we help people over 50 build strength, confidence, and function safely and sustainably.

Here’s why lifting matters more as you age and how we make it work for you.


Why Strength Training After 50 is Non-Negotiable

From age 30 onwards, we begin to lose muscle mass and bone density. This speeds up significantly after 50, especially in inactive individuals leading to:

  • Loss of strength and mobility

  • Slower metabolism

  • Increased body fat

  • Joint pain and postural issues

  • Higher risk of falls, fractures, and frailty

The antidote? Progressive resistance training.

Just 2–3 sessions per week can help you:
✅ Build or maintain lean muscle
✅ Support joint health and posture
✅ Improve bone density
✅ Boost metabolism and energy
✅ Feel stronger, younger, and more capable every day


“But I’ve Got Injuries and I Haven’t Trained in Years…”

That’s exactly why we’re here.

At Soma Fitness, our coaches are not just personal trainers they’re also qualified in injury rehabilitation and corrective exercise.
We understand the unique needs of older adults and those returning to exercise after pain, injury, or a long layoff.

We’ll guide you through:

  • A full movement and mobility assessment

  • A tailored programme that works with (not against) your body

  • Safe, effective technique coaching

  • Gradual progressions that keep you improving without risking injury

Whether you’re dealing with lower back pain, stiff knees, old shoulder issues or general deconditioning we’ve got you covered.


Strength Training Doesn’t Mean High Impact or Intimidating

Forget the images of heavy barbells and bootcamp screaming.

At Soma, strength training means:

  • Using appropriate weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight

  • Focusing on form, control, and confidence

  • Building movement quality first, then intensity

  • Prioritising longevity over “beasting” yourself


We Also Coach Lifestyle Not Just Workouts

To get the best results after 50, we support you with:
✅ Nutrition guidance for muscle preservation and fat control
✅ Stress and sleep support for hormonal balance and recovery
✅ Daily activity goals that improve mobility and energy
✅ Clear tracking and goal setting to keep you focused and motivated


Meet the Soma Coaches

Our team at Soma Fitness in Hale are highly experienced, fully qualified coaches with special expertise in:

  • Injury rehab and corrective exercise

  • Mobility and joint health

  • Menopause and midlife transformations

  • Strength and fat loss programming for 40+

We pride ourselves on coaching real people not just athletes with care, patience, and precision. You’ll never feel judged, rushed, or overlooked.


It’s Never Too Late to Start But The Sooner You Do, The More You’ll Gain

You don’t need to train like an athlete. You just need to start moving with purpose, strength, and support.

And we’re here to help you do exactly that.

Train with us at Soma Fitness, 37 Hale Road, Altrincham WA14 2EY
Book a free consultation and let’s map out your personalised strength plan: CONTACT US

The #1 Reason Most People Quit Their Fitness Plan (And How to Avoid It in 2026)

“This Year Will Be Different…”

It’s the promise we all make at the start of January.

We set goals, join a gym, download a meal plan but by February, the motivation’s faded… and so has the consistency.

At Soma Fitness in Hale, we see this every year and not because people aren’t serious about their goals.
The issue isn’t willpower. It’s the plan.

Here’s the #1 reason most people fall off track and how we make sure you don’t.


The Real Reason People Quit: They Go Too Hard, Too Fast

It’s tempting to overhaul everything in January:

  • Cut all carbs and sugar

  • Train 6 days a week

  • Say no to social plans

  • Track every calorie

And for a week or two… it might even work.

But then life kicks in. Work ramps up. Kids get ill. Energy dips. You miss a session… then two. You feel like you’ve “failed” and the cycle starts again.

This isn’t a discipline problem. It’s an expectation problem.


At Soma Fitness, We Do It Differently

We don’t throw you into an unsustainable routine and hope you survive.
We coach you through a system that adapts to your life and grows with you.

✅ Start with 2–3 sessions per week
✅ Build habits that support your routine
✅ Focus on strength, structure, and mindset before chasing extremes
✅ Learn how to train when life gets hectic (not just when it’s easy)
✅ Track wins beyond the scales strength, sleep, energy, mood


Motivation Fades, Systems Stick

The goal isn’t to stay motivated forever.
The goal is to build systems so that when motivation fades (and it will), you keep moving forward.

That’s why our clients stay consistent:

  • Their plans are realistic

  • They’re coached, not just trained

  • They’re supported through the ups and downs

  • They see progress, even when life isn’t perfect


What to Focus On in January (If You Actually Want to Succeed)

Here’s our January checklist for long-term success:
✅ Find a coach, not just a gym
✅ Choose consistency over intensity
✅ Set realistic, specific goals (not just “get fit”)
✅ Focus on your process, not just the outcome
✅ Don’t fall for 6-week gimmicks
✅ Track small wins weekly and celebrate them


Want This to Be the Year You Actually Stick With It?

Let us help you build a plan that works and stick with it long after January ends.

Train at Soma Fitness, 37 Hale Road, Altrincham WA14 2EY
Book a free consultation: CONTACT US