The top 6 disadvantages of working out on your own at the Paseo Club

Much like how you order your coffee, how you exercise is a personal preference full of dozens of options. 

• HIIT or low-impact?
• Indoors or outdoors?
• Weightlifting or cardio? 
• Personal trainer or small group class?

Many people find that working out on their own is their default choice. You can do it anytime you want, decide what the movements or activity will be, and for how long you’ll train. 

The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that offers eight acres dedicated to health and fitness facilities. We have personal trainers, group and small group classes, as well as gym facilities that are available to our members. 

Although the Paseo Club has many options, many members still choose to work out on their own. 

But is solo training the best choice?

In this article, we will share why people like to work out on their own, what are the disadvantages and risks of solo training at the Paseo Club, and why combining training on your own with the club’s group classes may be the best recipe.

Why do people choose to work out on their own?

Whether it is a jog on the paseos or some quiet time lifting in the gym, many people turn to working out on their own because of how convenient it is — especially when your free time is at a premium.

Exercising on your own has other advantages:

• You can stick with the exercises you are familiar with
• Solo workouts are a chance to focus on yourself without distraction 
• You do not need to adhere to a specific schedule — so you can be spontaneous
• It does not require socializing, which can be a welcome relief after a stimulating day

The 6 disadvantages of working out on your own

Although it is nice to do your “own thing” at the Paseo Club gym, it may not be the best choice when you want to get results or mitigate injuries.

Here are the six most common disadvantages to training on your own at the Paseo Club. 

1. Less accountability 

When you exercise by yourself, all the motivation is on your shoulders. It is your responsibility to make sure you exercise frequently enough, hard enough, and for enough time. It is difficult to sustain that dedication without a friend or trained Paseo Club trainer helping you.

2. Poor technique

Although there are popular apps such as Peloton and Nike that provide guided workouts, they do not offer the equivalent of a skilled instructor. An app cannot ensure proper form or recommend exercises appropriate for joint or mobility issues. 

Exercising with poor technique is an invitation for injury. The Paseo Club’s instructors have many years of experience and are experts at keeping their students safe. 

3. Lack of progress 

Rarely can we push ourselves hard when we exercise alone — fewer reps, fewer rounds, slower movements. Often, we end our workouts early when there is no supervision or accountability to a coach or workout partner. 

4. Low variety of movements 

Unless you are using an app, many people do not know many functional exercises and will choose the same exercises to do every time. This can stall progress and not target certain areas of the body.

5. Inability to track progress 

Without a goal or a plan, there is no objective or finish line. Most people will cruise through their workouts without much, if any, progress. A Paseo Club instructor can help remind you of what you accomplished in prior classes and help you set new goals for the future. 

6. No camaraderie or encouragement

Working out needs to be fun, so you want to do it regularly. But training by yourself can be lonely and isolating. Research has proven that people excel when they exercise with others. An encouraging coach helps as well. 

Can a person do both solo training and group classes at the Paseo Club?

Of course! 

Combining group (or personal) training and exercising on your own can be a great fit. It’s enjoyable to experience the teamwork, camaraderie, and guidance of an instructor-led class at the Paseo Club AND it is great to have solo time in the gym to focus on your personal goals for strength, mobility, flexibility, or speed. 

Use your time in a guided class to learn new movements, rep schemes, and proper techniques so they can be a springboard for your programming. This system will help you stay on track with your fitness goals. 

The Paseo Club has a wide selection of exercise equipment in the gym

• Free weights
• Cardio machines
• Weight machines
• Functional fitness gear
• TRX suspension systems
• Mobility and stretching areas

When you are looking for a complimentary fitness class, you can check out our calendar of over 60 classes per week. Whether it is cycling, weights, HIIT, dance, Pilates, or yoga, the Paseo Club has you covered.

If you want more personalized attention, sign up for a small group training program or meet with a personal trainer. There are many options to meet your needs.