How Group Training Can Benefit You Hitting Your Health Goals

Caitlyn Davey • July 8, 2025

Previously, we spoke about the benefits and drawbacks of personal training – when it suits and when it might not be right for you. There are many benefits to both group training sessions and personal training, and ideally, if you have the time and can afford it, it’s worthwhile to opt for a combination of group training and personal training sessions. But if you're weighing up your options, it's worth exploring how to combine the two. Group training, attending classes, is a more cost-effective option, that has social elements, it’s beneficial to build relationships with those in the gym and adds structure to your week. Group settings like at Rebuild Health & Fitness build community, and classes are structured based on programming for the whole gym. On the Rebuild Health & Fitness podcast, coaches James Batey, Sean Carroll and Darius Holliday-Miller discuss the pros and cons of both personal training and group training. Personal training, as previously outlined, is known to be specific and tailored, which will get you bigger results, faster than attending just classes – but as Sean explains, there are good PTs and not-so-good PTs. Sean says: “Going into group training, you can get better results than with poor personal training.”  The benefits:Group sessions are more affordable as you’re often only required to pay your gym membership to participate. Attending group sessions offers a higher volume of attendance typically. James explains of group training: “You can do more sessions, so you can get a greater amount of volume, therefore, could lead to greater results. And that’s what it comes down to – having a mix of both, could be an absolute winner if it’s in the same facility.” Sessions are still coached – you’re never alone in the gym and interact with other members, thus offering a social setting. Coaching minutes are less than personal training, so you’re not getting as individualised feedback, however, as James outlines, you’re still being coached in the class setting.“You are coached in every session, so yes there are fewer coaching minutes, but those coaching minutes are very specific,” says James. There’s also something special about suffering together – group training is social and you can interact with other members. James says the benefits: “Community, motivation, interaction – the social side of things is a massive part to group fitness.” Sean agrees, citing the sense of community that gyms establish through group training: “Every group fitness facility will preach about their community; and every group fitness facility has their own community. I think that’s the good thing about it, you get that social connection that you don’t always get in this day and age.” Sean explains that it also often pushes people to work a bit harder in that social setting. He says: “People don’t want to be seen as the one who’s not working in a group environment. It brings everyone up a little - because you’re working hard is going to make me work harder, which will flow on. One person working hard will bring up the group.”  The drawbacks:Group sessions can seem daunting if you’re new to a gym, you may not understand movements or styles, and with so many other members in the class, coaches can only focus on so many people. James explains: “People may feel lost, if you haven’t got a great onboarding process.  You’re coming into a facility, there are 20 other people on the floor who know what they’re doing – you’re walking in and everyone may be in shape and you’re walking in thinking ‘what have I got myself into here’.” At Rebuild, as part of the onboarding process, all members new to the gym are required to sign up to a personal training programme prior to joining classes – this is to ensure every single member is confident in the movements in class, is comfortable in the gym, and ready to join the Rebuild community. James says: “It’s something we’ve learned over time. You never want people to feel lost.” Often in group fitness facilities, there are limitations on progress for fitness, based on the limitations with the equipment, Sean explains: “Some gyms, there’s no progression – there’s only so good you can get in that facility – because of the equipment available or style of programming.” There are also less coaching minutes per person with group training as opposed to personal training, so if you’re struggling with a movement, it can be difficult to get enough cues from the coaches to nail it. Ideally, a combination of both personal training and group training will get you further – based on your goals. In summary, James says: “There are positives to both – financial versus individualisation. I believe you can get better results doing personal training, if you can afford it and do it enough, and if your PT is good enough.” Group training is great for adding structure and routine to your week – and for making new friends. Tune in to the Rebuild Health & Fitness podcast to hear more, or get in touch with our team to learn more about programming to suit your goals.     

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July 22, 2025
If you live in Wynnum or Capalaba , chances are you’ve seen a bootcamp in action — high-intensity sessions in parks, with lots of burpees, sprints, and shouting. While bootcamps can be a fun way to get sweaty, there’s a reason more people are choosing structured strength training instead. At Rebuild, we often meet people who’ve jumped from one bootcamp to another, chasing results they never quite achieve, or can’t maintain. Here’s why strength training, not bootcamp-style fitness, is the smarter long-term approach for your health and body. 1. Progress Over Punishment Bootcamps often focus on burning calories and pushing people to their limits every session. It feels intense — but it’s usually random. There’s no plan beyond “go hard”. Strength training is different. It’s measured, progressive, and adaptable . Whether you’re lifting a barbell or doing bodyweight movements, the goal is to build skill, strength, and confidence over time. You're not punished for where you're at — you're coached toward where you want to be. 2. Stronger Muscles = Better Results Cardio-heavy bootcamps might help you lose weight quickly, but they rarely help you build muscle, and muscle is the key to long-term fat loss, strength, and mobility . When you train with resistance (weights, bands, or bodyweight), your body becomes more efficient. You burn more calories at rest, move better, and feel more capable in everyday life. And unlike bootcamps, strength training actually preserves lean mass while you're in a calorie deficit — which matters if your goal is body composition, not just weight loss. 3. Individual Coaching Matters Most bootcamps have one instructor yelling instructions to a big group. There’s rarely time to check your technique, let alone adjust for injuries, experience, or confidence levels. At Rebuild, our group sessions are coach-led and purpose-built . We take time to teach proper form, scale movements to your ability, and track your progress. You're not just surviving a workout — you’re learning how to move better and train smarter. 4. It’s Not Just About Today’s Workout Bootcamps often lack structure. You show up, do something exhausting, and leave. There’s no continuity or long-term planning. Strength training follows a programmed approach , meaning each week builds on the last. You’ll have sessions designed to improve specific movements and outcomes — whether that’s lifting more weight, increasing core strength, or mastering your first pull-up. That structure keeps you consistent, motivated, and injury-free. 5. Sustainability Over Shock Tactics If you’re tired of the “go hard or go home” mentality, strength training is for you. It’s adaptable to all ages, bodies, and goals . You’ll get fitter, stronger, and more confident — without burning out or breaking down. Ready to train with purpose? If you're looking for something better than a bootcamp in Wynnum or Capalaba , join us at Rebuild. We coach real people — not fitness models — to get real results. 📍 Structured training 📍 Expert coaches 📍 Community that has your back You don’t need to be fit to start. You just need to start.
July 22, 2025
A lot of people have completed a marathon but how many people have collapsed at 40km?

Sometimes you do everything right, and shit still doesn’t go to plan.
 Last weekend I ran in the Gold Coast Marathon, my first ever marathon. I trained properly, my body felt relatively good (all things considered when preparing to run 42.2km), I carb-loaded, and my race day nutrition was dialled in.
 I was ready.
 We set off. Jess and the kids met me at different points on the course with signs, the atmosphere was great. I loved seeing the kids with their signs. Pacing felt on point. The first 21km? Easy. I felt great. Maybe I should’ve drunk more water, but I didn’t think too much of it at the time.
 At 25km, I felt slower, but pace wise I was still holding well. I’d kept telling myself throughout the day "The race starts at 30km." And let me tell you, it does.
 By 30km, the sun was out, and I was starting to struggle. My watch started glitching so I had no real idea of my splits. I thought I was slowing down a lot (turns out I wasn’t), but the effort to keep the same pace suddenly felt 10x harder.
 I hadn’t taken on enough water. Usually, I can get away with lower fluids. Not this time. Dehydration crept in. hard.
 At 35km I was in survival mode, one foot in front of the other, flicking between moments of pain and little short lived waves of “let’s go.” But by 39km I was delirious. I could see the finish line, I hit the 40km mark (where I thought enjoyment might return to finish), and I collapsed.
 I was gone. Scary stuff.
 The last few hundred metres were a complete blur. All I remember is the crowd, the medics, and about five paramedics suddenly around me. I was vomiting, shaking, confused, in and out of it. I had this overwhelming, indescribable feeling, and honestly, for a moment, I thought I could die.
 My memory went. I couldn’t recall the day, the year, where I lived, or how to spell. I only knew who Jess and the kids were, and that I didn’t want them to see me with wires in me. 
 My temperature had hit 40°C. Blood pressure crashed. Thankfully, the medics and paramedics were incredible, I had a drip running into me within 10 to 15 minutes.
 As I already knew, I’m stubborn. I wanted to run it all. Not walk. Not stop and breathe and In hindsight, I should have. 
 Seems like my mind was just a bit stronger than my body on the day. I never thought I could push myself there in all honesty. 

Am I gutted? Of course, I was only 2km away but I gave it everything I had on that day. Heat stroke, exhaustion, and dehydration got me. 

I am always reminded here of the quote ‘The man in the arena’ look it up if you need. 
 Will I run 42.2km again? Yes, I feel I need to. 

Would I do things differently, now I’ve run 40km under race conditions? You bet, lessons learnt. Always lessons. Never be scared to not succeed. Be scared to never try in the first place. 
 We go again.
By Caitlyn Davey July 8, 2025
You Need To Earn The Right To Be Good At Something
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