Both have their place, and the honest answer is they're built to do different jobs.

A fitness class gives everyone in the room the same workout. It's great for people who already know what they're doing, who enjoy the format and who don't need much individual attention to get value from the session. What it can't do is account for the fact that you might have a dodgy shoulder, or that your goal is completely different to the person on the mat next to you.

Personal training, including the small group model we run at RAW, starts from the opposite direction. The programme is built around you first, then delivered in a setting that suits how you like to train. You get proper coaching on your form, progression that's actually tracked, and a plan that adapts as your body and your goals change.

The trade off people often expect, that personal training means losing the energy and community of a class, isn't necessarily true. At RAW, members train in small groups, so you still get people around you, music, atmosphere and that shared effort in the room. You just also get a coach who knows your name, your history and exactly what you're meant to be doing that day.

If you're new to training, carrying an injury, or you've tried classes before and plateaued, personal training is usually the better starting point. If you're experienced and self sufficient, a class might be all you need.