Personal training
Training with your partner: is couples PT worth it?
The benefits and pitfalls of training with your partner, how sessions work when you are at different levels, and what it costs in Solihull.
Published · 4 min read
Quick answer
Couples personal training is worth it if you both want to train, have broadly similar goals and can commit to a regular time. You share the cost and keep each other accountable, and a good trainer adapts each exercise to each person. In Solihull, Max Brazier charges £55 per session for two, or £27.50 each.
Training with your partner sounds appealing: you keep each other going, you get time together and you share the cost. It can also go wrong if you are at very different levels or one of you is far keener than the other. Here is an honest look at whether couples personal training is worth it, how it works when you are not equally fit, and what it costs in Solihull.
What is couples personal training?
Couples PT is a session with one trainer and two people training at the same time. It is not two separate one-to-one sessions squeezed into one hour. A good couples session uses a shared structure, with each person's exercises, weights and targets set for them.
I run couples and small group sessions for 2 to 4 people. It does not have to be a romantic partner: friends, siblings, a parent and adult child or two colleagues all work the same way.
What are the benefits of training together?
- Accountability. It is harder to skip a session when someone else is relying on you to turn up.
- Lower cost per person. You share the trainer's fee, so each of you pays less than for one-to-one sessions.
- Time together. For busy couples, an hour training together can double as quality time.
- Shared habits. If you both know what to do, it is easier to keep training together between sessions and to support each other's routines at home.
- Partner drills. Some exercises are more fun with two: pad work, partner resistance band drills, relay shuttles and mirrored circuits.
What are the downsides?
- Less individual attention. The trainer's focus is split, so if you need very close technique work or have a complex injury, one-to-one may suit you better at first.
- Different goals can clash. If one of you wants to run a half marathon and the other wants to build upper-body strength, sessions need careful planning.
- Scheduling. Two diaries are harder to coordinate than one, and missed sessions affect both of you.
- Competitiveness. A bit of friendly rivalry helps; trying to keep up with a fitter partner can lead to sloppy form or injury.
What if one of you is much fitter than the other?
This is the most common worry, and it is very manageable. In my sessions, both people usually follow the same overall structure, with different versions of each exercise. For example:
| Exercise slot | Partner A (newer to training) | Partner B (more experienced) |
|---|---|---|
| Squat | Chair squat holding a light kettlebell | Heavier goblet squat with a slow lowering phase |
| Push | Incline press-up on a bench | Full press-up or suspension trainer press-up |
| Pull | Band row | Suspension trainer row with feet further forward |
| Conditioning | Pad work at a steady pace, 20 seconds on | Faster pad work, 40 seconds on |
Both people work hard relative to their own level. Done this way, the fitter partner is challenged and the newer partner is not overwhelmed. Timed sets help a lot, because you start and finish together even if you complete different amounts of work.
How much does couples PT cost in Solihull?
My couples and small group prices are:
| Group size | Price per session | Cost per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | £55 | £27.50 |
| 3 people | £65 | About £21.67 |
| 4 people | £75 | £18.75 |
For comparison, two people each booking a pay-as-you-go one-to-one session with me would pay £90 between them. One 2025 UK price guide puts group sessions at roughly £20 to £30 per person, so couples PT sits within the typical range. There are no contracts and no joining fee, and I ask for 24 hours' notice to cancel or rearrange. For the full picture on pricing, see how much a personal trainer costs in Solihull.
Where do couples sessions happen?
Anywhere that suits you both: your home, a local park or a gym. Parks work especially well for couples and small groups because there is room for partner drills, shuttles and circuits. Our guide to outdoor training in Solihull's parks covers Olton Jubilee Park, Elmdon Park and Brueton Park. I bring the kit, including kettlebells, adjustable dumbbells, resistance bands, boxing gloves and pads, a suspension trainer, mats and cones.
Is couples PT right for you? A quick checklist
Couples or small group training is likely to suit you if most of these are true:
- You both genuinely want to train, rather than one of you being talked into it.
- Neither of you has an injury that needs very close individual attention.
- You can commit to a regular time that works for both of you.
- You will cheer each other on, not compete in a way that ruins technique.
- Your goals are broadly similar, such as general fitness, strength or feeling healthier.
If one of you is a complete beginner and slightly nervous, it can help to start with a couple of one-to-one sessions to learn the basics, then switch to training together. Our guide to personal training for beginners explains what those first weeks involve.
Want to try training together?
If you and your partner, friend or family member are in Olton, Solihull or nearby, send me a WhatsApp on 07914 046329. We will have a free 15-minute chat about both your goals, any injuries and where you would like to train. For more on how personal training works, read the guide to personal training in Solihull.
Questions people ask
Can we train together if one of us has an injury?
Often, yes. The trainer can give the injured person different exercises while you follow the same session structure. Mention any injury in the free chat beforehand. If it needs very close attention or medical guidance, a few one-to-one sessions first may be the better option.
Can we bring a third or fourth person?
Yes. Max runs small group sessions for up to 4 people. A session is £55 for two, plus £10 for each extra person, so £65 for three and £75 for four. Everyone gets exercises suited to their own level.
What if my partner cannot make a session?
Give at least 24 hours' notice to rearrange so you can find a time that suits you both. If one of you regularly cannot make it, it may be worth talking to your trainer about switching to one-to-one sessions for a while.
About the author
Max Brazier
Max is a Level 3 personal trainer, LTA accredited Level 3 tennis coach and 3rd Dan karate black belt based in Olton, Solihull. He trains clients one-to-one at home, in local parks or in the gym, and coaches tennis at West Warwickshire, Moseley and Streetly tennis clubs.
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