What is SGPT training and how is it different from personal training?
If you've looked at our timetable and wondered what those SGPT sessions are, you're not the only one. SGPT training stands for Small Group Personal Training. It sits somewhere between a one-to-one session with a personal trainer and a busy group class. Your coach knows your name, your lifts and your dodgy left knee, but you share the session with a handful of other people instead of paying for the whole hour yourself.
We get asked about it a lot, usually by people who like the idea of personal training and then see the price. We covered some of this in our piece on one-to-one or small group personal training, so this guide sticks to how SGPT works at HIIT West Hampstead, what it costs and who it suits.
What is SGPT training?
At our studio, SGPT is a 45-minute, strength-focused session with a maximum of eight people. You follow a structured, progressive programme, so the weights and exercises build week by week. Sessions use heavier weights than our HIIT classes, and your coach spends the time watching technique, adjusting positions and deciding when you're ready to add load.
The small numbers are the whole point. With eight people or fewer, a coach can properly look at how you squat, hinge and press, spot what needs work and give you feedback that applies to your body. That close supervision also helps prevent the injuries that tend to creep in when people train alone with poor form.
SGPT vs personal training: what's actually different?
Traditional personal training is you and a trainer, one to one. It's the most individual option there is, and for some people, such as someone managing a complicated injury, it's the right call. The downsides are cost and, for plenty of people, a slightly flat atmosphere.
SGPT keeps most of what makes personal training work: a proper programme, a coach who tracks your progress and technique correction in every session. What changes is that you share the coach's attention with a small group. Most of our members find that a fair trade. You still get corrected mid-set, and the people around you add some healthy pressure to turn up and work hard. If you're weighing up whether personal training in West Hampstead is worth it, SGPT is a sensible place to start.
| SGPT at HIIT WH | One-to-one PT | HIIT class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group size | Maximum 8 people | Just you | Larger coach-led group |
| Main focus | Strength, technique and progression | Fully individual goals | Fitness, conditioning and calorie burn |
| Session length | 45 minutes | Varies by trainer | 45 minutes |
| Coaching | Close, hands-on feedback | Undivided attention | Coach-led with scaled options |
| Weights | Heavier, progressive loading | Depends on the trainer | Mix of functional equipment |
| Cost per session | From £20.75 on a membership | Usually the most expensive | From £9.91 on a membership |
| Best for | Getting stronger with guidance | Specialist or rehab needs | Fitness, energy and variety |
Who is small group personal training best for?
From what we see each week, small group personal training West Hampstead members tend to fall into a few groups:
- Beginners who want to learn lifts properly from the first session rather than picking up bad habits.
- People returning to exercise after time off, pregnancy or an injury who want someone keeping an eye on them.
- HIIT regulars who have built their fitness and now want to get noticeably stronger.
- Anyone who likes structure and enjoys watching the numbers on the bar go up.
For the best results, we recommend combining SGPT for strength with HIIT classes for fitness. Plenty of members do both, and our coaches can build a combo membership around your goals and diary.
What SGPT costs at HIIT West Hampstead
All memberships run on a 28-day cycle, so your sessions refresh every four weeks. Training twice a week costs £169 per 28 days (about £21.12 a session) and three times a week costs £249 (about £20.75 a session), with lower rates on 12-month contracts. Rolling memberships need 14 days' notice to cancel. If you'd rather not commit, a pack of 10 SGPT sessions is £250. Everything is listed on our prices page.
The easiest way in is the 2-week SGPT Kickstart for £59. You get four small group sessions, a goal-setting consultation and form correction throughout, which is plenty of time to decide whether this style of training suits you.
What to expect in your first session
You don't need to know your way around a barbell. Your coach starts with the basics, scales each exercise to where you are and builds from there. Bring comfortable kit, a water bottle, a towel and a padlock if you want a locker. We supply all the equipment. You book through our app, and if you need to cancel, we ask for at least 12 hours' notice so someone else can take the space.
If you're not sure whether SGPT or HIIT is the better starting point, get in touch and tell us what you're working towards. We'll give you an honest answer, even if that answer is to start with HIIT.
Start SGPT training in West Hampstead
Four coached sessions, a goal-setting consultation and form correction every time. Try the 2-week SGPT Kickstart for £59.
Enquire NowFAQ
Is SGPT training suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Every exercise is coached closely and scaled to your level, which makes SGPT one of the best ways to learn strength training safely.
How many people are in an SGPT session?
A maximum of eight. That keeps the coaching personal while still giving you the energy of training with others.
Can I do SGPT and HIIT classes together?
Yes, and it's what we recommend for the best results. Ask the team about a combo membership built around your schedule.
Will SGPT help with fat loss?
SGPT is designed to improve strength, muscle tone and body composition through progressive overload. Paired with a balanced diet, it supports fat loss well.
