The solo, DIY approach

This is your basic gym membership. You get access to equipment, maybe some group classes, and you're left to figure out the rest on your own.

Cost: £10--£180/month depending on location and amenities.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Total schedule flexibility
• Access to a wide range of equipment and classes

Cons:

• No guidance, structure or accountability
  
• Easy to lose motivation or waste time doing the wrong things
  
• Can feel intimidating if you're not confident in what you're doing

Best for: Independent gym-goers who already know how to train effectively and just need the space to do it.
 

High energy, high volume workouts

This style is more like a bootcamp or circuit class, where a coach leads a group through a workout designed for a wide range of fitness levels.

Cost: £5--£20/session or included in memberships

Pros:

• Super affordable
• Fun, fast-paced, and motivating
• Great for general fitness and consistency

Cons

• Minimal individual coaching
  
• Little-to-no personalisation
  
• Can be overwhelming if you're a beginner or unsure of your technique

Best for: People who love group energy and just want a fun, regular way to stay active.

Affordable, social, and still highly personal

Think of this as semi-private training. You get professional coaching, but in a small group setting.

Cost: £15--£35/session dependant on intimacy of group size and quality of coaching

Pros:

• Lower cost than 1-on-1, but with real coaching
• Friendly group atmosphere keeps things fun
• Sessions can still be tailored to individual fitness levels
• Built in motivation and accountability

Cons:

• Less personal attention than 1-to-1 sessions
  
• May not be suited for people with super specific injuries/medical conditions or complex goals

Best for: People who want coaching and community--without the price tag of one-on-one training.
 

Customised coaching and accountability

This is the most personalised option. You'll work directly with a qualified coach who designs your training plan, tracks your progress, helps with nutrition, and holds you accountable.

Cost: £40--£100/session

Pros:

• Everything is tailored to your body, goals, and limitations
• In-person guidance keeps you safe and progressing
• Built-in motivation and accountability

Cons:

• Higher investment, especially for multiple sessions per week

• Scheduling can be less flexible

In the book The Road Less Stupid, Keith Cunningham says the biggest cost in business—and in life—isn’t usually money.

It’s the price we pay for solving the wrong problem.

That logic applies perfectly to fitness.

If the real issue is lack of structure, accountability, or confidence, then joining a gym for £20 a month isn’t a bargain—it’s an expensive distraction.

You’ll pay with your time, your energy, and most painfully… your results.

Before you choose the cheapest or most convenient option, ask yourself this:

What problem am I actually trying to solve?

• Is it motivation?

• Is it not knowing where to start?

• Is it falling off track again and again?

Don’t fall into the trap of buying a technical solution (like gym access) for a personal challenge (like consistency or confidence). It’s like hiring a plumber when what you really need is an architect.

The smartest move you can make?

Stop treating your fitness like a guessing game.

Because buying access to a gym or following random workouts from Instagram might feel like action—but if it’s not solving your core issue, it’s just activity masquerading as progress.

The real breakthrough happens when you choose the option that gives you clarity, structure, and accountability—so you stop wasting time and finally start building momentum.