I have a confession to make. For years, I was a professional gym sign-up artist. I had a unique talent for enthusiastically signing up for gym memberships and then rarely showing up. Despite my best intentions, I couldn’t figure out why my motivation evaporated the moment I saw that line of uninviting treadmills with folks trudging along side-by-side in grim silence.
So, one fateful day, I hired a personal trainer. Maybe I needed a taskmaster to hold me accountable. Little did I know, this decision would change everything. Fast-forward some years, and I’m now a personal trainer teaching small group sessions – customized workouts for 4-8 people at a time.
As an older trainer, I know firsthand the pitfalls of aging. Every day I wake up to new creaks and twinges. But I also know what can happen when we stop moving. Without exercise in our lives, specifically weight training and some regular cardio, we lose muscle mass, bone density, vitality and eventually, independence.
But I have come to realize that they’re not the only things that matter; maybe not even the most important part of the small group session’s “secret sauce.” Sure, folks will say: “I feel stronger and lighter,” or “I can now walk without worrying about falling.” And those are very real, noticeable benefits! But there’s more to it than that. When training in smaller numbers, you can’t hide in the back or tune out your surroundings. There’s not even a soundtrack to zone out to. You have to be fully engaged.
That’s why the best part of small-group personal training is the “personal” part. Working at the Ashland Senior Center (shout-out to the wonderful staff there!), which is a hub for group activities, has allowed me to witness the almost miraculous quality of small groups firsthand. My classes, intended to promote physical muscle growth, bone density, and improved balance, have quickly evolved into a supportive community where members celebrate milestones together, share stories, and provide mutual encouragement.
There’s even loads of research to show that our connectedness leads to greater longevity. While strength training 2-3 times a week has been tied to a reduction of 30% in all-cause mortality, a well-known Harvard study showed that adults with a strong social network can live as much as 50% longer. So, small group personal training really packs a longevity punch!
Witnessing people becoming active and engaged while getting stronger is incredibly rewarding. I feel grateful and honored, every day, to work with such amazing individuals. So, to all of my small-group students: Thank you for showing up, working hard, and being there for each other!
Beth Morris is a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, teaching small groups at the Ashland Senior Center.
