Is group PT or Individual PT more motivating to you?

I feel that both provide different types of motivation. Yes, working out on your own is great. You are able to focus on the specific area(s) you want/need. Yet, working out in a group gives you the change to be pushed by others.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver
I always found individual PT more motivating. I can do the exercises that I want, that work for me, etc. Plus I can listen to my music!

Honestly, I've found group PT more motivating ONLY with the right PT leader in charge.

Some PT leaders let the power of being in charge of their peers go to their heads, trying to make much more strenuous workouts than most people can handle. Just because YOU do push-ups for breakfast, lunch, and dinner doesn't give you the right to force your division to do 300 in one PT session. But I'm a swimmer, and I find my motivation in completing workouts with teammates, rather than going it alone.


On the other hand, I'm more in shape now than I have been in a long time, and I've been on a PT profile since January. I'm paying out the nose for it, but I find my off-base group class to be the most motivating thing I've ever done.

mu only question, Where are their PT belts?!?!?!?

I find and always have found individual PT to be the most motivating. Everyone should know pretty clearly where your weakest points are because nobody knows their physical capabilities better than yourself, so then you should have the push to work on improving them. If you can't do that, then you should question why you are here in the first place. When typical morning PT conducted by the unit is having no effect on you then obviously you would have to also engage in going to the gym to ensure you are improving your strength and I feel you shouldn't have to workout 2 times multiple times a week. That would promote physical strain if you ask me. I'm a 91B so my job is pretty physically demanding at times. The last thing I want is to do harm to myself on the job because I'm having to compensate the gym for what traditional PT cannot do for me. I'm not bashing traditional unit PT, but it from my experience it hasn't done any good for me besides running. I'm a regular gym soldier and take nutrition seriously. Maybe it's just my unit, but yea where I'm at I think here doing it on your own would do you so much good so long as you're taking it serious working hard like I do. If soldiers are granted supervision from their leaders whike they conduct individual PT in eye sight, the only way it could be an issue is if the leader is also not taking it serious. Otherwise, there really would be no "shamming." Just my opinion from my experience. Everyone is different and finds motivation differently, but me just naturally enjoying exercise and knowing what to do to get a workout and how to do it, I enjoy it more alone because I know how to get the most out of it some soldiers might see eye to eye on that, maybe not.

Personally, group PT is much more motivating to me. I like the competitive atmosphere. At the same time, I'm a distance runner and love those long runs on my own simply because I know many of those I serve with wouldn't be able to or wouldn't want to run that far.

I am definitely more motivated by small group PT. Left to my own devices, I find it difficult to push the necessary intensity level to get the most from my workout.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I always preferred group PT! You could do so many more things with group PT and I always felt it continued to build the team. I like working out by myself as well, but it was always great to have group PT and interact with all the soldiers in the command. Just a personal preference. I also remember the great "Buffalo Runs" at Fort Ord, CA where every Friday we had the entire Division on line running by Brigade, Battalion, and Company for a nice 2 mile run. Loved it! We virtually took for the entire base and you could hear cadences from miles away! Good Stuff! During OIF 05-07 I use to get my staff up (I called them the Iron Majors) and we use to run at 0300 hours in the morning while the temperature was only 100 plus for about 3 to 4 miles around the base, then we hit the gym for weight lifting. We were in the best shape ever!

CH (MAJ) William Beaver for me, there's no better way to start a week than with a Company run. Calling cadences, pumping my peers motivates me and gives me a fresh start for the work week. Tuesday-Thursday, I love lifting heavy things, in the gym I don't like to talk or mess around so individual is better for me. Friday, a good smoking session with the Company is a great way close the work week.

For me individual PT is a lot more effective. I can do what works for me and wear civilian clothes. I do weight training and alternate running on a path then treadmill. Running on asphalt kills your knees.