The choice between group classes and private coaching is one that most people overthink before a trip and underthink once they arrive. Before they book, they worry about getting left behind in a class or wasting money on privates they might not need. Once they are training, the decision often makes itself, because you quickly develop a sense of what you are getting from the group sessions and what is missing.
This guide gives you the honest picture of what each option actually provides, what each costs, and how to think about the decision based on your goals and your trip length, rather than just defaulting to one or the other.
What Group Classes Give You
Group classes are the foundation of training at the gym. The vast majority of trainees, from first-timers to people on their fifth trip, do most of their work in the group sessions. There are good reasons for this.
Structure. A good group class is a designed learning environment. The warm-up, technique focus, drilling, and rounds are sequenced intentionally. You are not just hitting a bag for an hour. You are following a curriculum built around developing specific things.
Pace and energy. Training with other people at different levels is motivating in a way that solo or private sessions are not. The energy in a full class pulls effort out of most people that they would not find training alone.
Variety of partners. In a group setting, you drill and work with different people of different sizes, speeds, and technical levels. This variety is a real training advantage. A smaller partner teaches you something different from a larger one. A more experienced partner reveals gaps you would not find working with someone at your own level.
Value. Your weekly or monthly training package covers group classes. Private sessions are a separate cost on top.
For most training visitors on a first or second trip, group classes alone are more than enough to have a productive and challenging week. The group is where the bulk of learning happens for most people.
What Private Coaching Adds
Private sessions are one-to-one time with a coach: your full hour, focused entirely on what you specifically need to develop. This is a different kind of training from the group class.
Personalised correction. In a group class, a coach manages 10 to 20 people. They can correct you when they notice something, but their attention is divided. In a private, you have the whole session to work on exactly your technique gaps. Coaches identify habits and errors that would not get consistent attention in a group context.
Speed of development. For people who have a specific technical goal, privates accelerate progress faster than group classes alone. If you want to improve your jab, or fix a specific kick mechanic, or understand a BJJ position you keep getting caught in, a private session addresses it directly.
Pacing for your level. A group class is calibrated for a range of levels. A private is calibrated for you specifically, which means the pace, the complexity, and the focus are adjusted to exactly where you are.
Goal setting and feedback. Private coaches can give you a structured assessment of where you are and what to work on, which helps you make better use of your group sessions too.
Who Benefits Most From Private Sessions
Private sessions are not for everyone, and they are not a necessity for a successful training trip. They make the most sense in specific situations.
You have a specific technical weakness you want to address. You know what it is, and you want dedicated attention on it rather than hoping it comes up in the group session.
You are on a short trip and want to maximise learning speed. A private session or two in a one-week trip can significantly accelerate what you get out of the group sessions by giving you specific things to work on.
You are preparing for a fight or grading. If you have a competitive goal, private coaching is how you prepare specifically for it rather than generally.
You find group classes overwhelming at first. Some people benefit from one or two private sessions at the start of a trip to build enough of a foundation to follow the group class confidently. This is a legitimate and practical use of a private session.
You are significantly more advanced than the group. If the group content is consistently too basic for your level, private sessions work on more advanced material.
What Private Sessions Cost
Private coaching is priced separately from training packages and is arranged directly with the gym. Contact the team for current pricing, as it depends on the coach and the session length. See the pricing page for a starting reference.
Private sessions on top of a full training week is a real additional cost, so most trainees treat them as targeted additions rather than daily defaults.
A Practical Approach for Most Visitors
For most first-time visitors, the recommended approach is:
- Start with group classes only. Do this for the first two to three days. Get a feel for the coaching, the format, and what you are getting from the sessions.
- Identify one thing you specifically want to improve. It almost always becomes clear within the first few sessions what your biggest gap is.
- Book one or two private sessions focused on that. Not a general session, a targeted one on the specific thing you identified.
- Return to group classes and apply what the private session worked on.
This sequence gets more from both the group and private sessions than doing them in isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need prior experience to book a private session?
No. Coaches work with complete beginners in private sessions regularly. It is a particularly good format for beginners who want a thorough introduction before joining a group class.
How long are private sessions?
Typically one hour. Half-hour sessions may be available; check with the gym.
Can I book a private session for a discipline I am also doing in group classes?
Yes, and this is the most common approach. The private and group session reinforce each other when they are focused on the same discipline and the same specific development goals.
Is a private session worth it for a one-week trip?
For most people, one or two targeted private sessions in a one-week trip add real value. Spending the whole week in privates instead of group classes is not necessary and is a more expensive approach than most visitors need.
Can I share a private session with a friend?
Often yes, if you are at a similar level and want to work the same material. Check with the gym when booking.
Book Your Training
Whether you go group classes only, add private sessions, or start with a private to build confidence before joining the group, the training is there for you.
Check current pricing on the pricing page and the full class overview on the classes page. Book your spot on the booking page.
