The People's Gym · Cork
Semi-private personal training, explained
Every personal training session at ATP is 1:2: one coach, two clients, each on your own programme, for 30 minutes. It is the format that makes coached training affordable enough to do for years, and this page explains exactly how it works at our Douglas and Ballincollig gyms.
Semi-private
One coach, two clients, two programmes
It is not a small class and it is not a shared workout. Two people, each doing their own programme, with a coach moving between them throughout the session.
Your own programme
Your coach writes your programme for your body and your goals. The person beside you has theirs. You are never doing what they are doing.
Coached throughout
While one of you rests between sets, the coach is with the other. Nobody is left unattended and technique is watched throughout.
30 minutes, no waiting
Short and dense. Because you rest while the other person works, the session flows with no dead time.
Same coach or any coach
Stick with one coach or book whoever is on at the time that suits. Your programme lives in the system, so any coach can run it.
Who you are paired with
Usually whoever booked the same slot. It could be anyone from a teenager to someone in their 70s. If you come with a friend or partner, you can be the pair.
Why it costs less
The coach's half hour is shared between two people, so the price is a fraction of an hourly one-to-one. The attention is not shared; the time is.
Real Google reviews
From members who started where you are
In their own words, straight from Google.
"Like others on here, i have tried gyms in the past but ATP just do it so much better. With the PT sessions the gym is never too busy so you get the exercise time and attention you need. The staff are all so friendly and knowledgeable and they take the time to understand what you want to get out of your time there and create plans to suit."
"I like the set up of booking in with a trainer as you are guaranteed the gym won't be over crowded. The staff genuinely care about the clients, checking in with them regularly. I would highly recommend ATP to anyone looking for fitness classes or personal training sessions, whether you have trained elsewhere or are a total beginner."
"The trainers and coaches are knowledgeable, supportive and are always more than happy to help. Training programs are tailored to each person with a variety of exercises and are updated regularly. ATP Fitness is a great small gym with a really positive atmosphere."
"PT sessions are set up so you can stick with the same trainer or switch between a few. So you can really book whatever slots suit you from week to week."
How it works
What a semi-private session actually looks like
Traditional personal training is one coach, one client, one hour. It works, and it is expensive enough that most people do it for six weeks and stop. Semi-private training is our answer to that. One coach with two clients for 30 minutes, each of you on your own programme. It is the only format we run for personal training, and it is how our members afford to train with a coach twice a week for years.
What a session looks like
You arrive for your booked slot. Your coach has your programme up and, usually, another client's. You warm up, then the coach sets you on your first exercise, watches your set, then turns to the other client while you rest. Back and forth like that for 30 minutes. Because a strength set takes less time than the rest after it, the coach is with whoever is working, and nobody is standing around unattended. You finish with your programme done, your technique corrected where it needed it, and your loads logged for next week.
Who is the other person?
Whoever booked the same slot. It could be a teenager, a rugby player or someone in their 70s working on their balance, and it does not matter, because they are doing their own programme and you are doing yours. If you would rather choose, come with a friend or partner and book the same session. Our training with a friend page covers that.
Who it suits
Almost everyone. Beginners, because the coach is right there. People with injuries or conditions, because the programme is built around them and a coach guides them through every session. Athletes, because it is proper coached strength work. People who cannot justify an hourly one-to-one, which is most people. The only people it does not suit are those who want a full hour of undivided attention every session, and if that is you, tell us and we will talk it through.
Getting started
Your first session is free. Claim it below and tell us anything you want us to know. It is a real coached 30-minute session at Douglas or Ballincollig, no card and no commitment. Our pricing page has the numbers, and our first session page describes the first visit.
Memberships & pricing
Simple, flexible pricing
Personal training from €20.56 a session on a rolling membership, €35 pay as you go, and no-expiry packs from €289. See full pricing →
FAQ
Semi-private questions
If yours is not here, give us a ring. We would rather talk it through.
Is semi-private the same as a small group class?
No. In a class everyone does the same session at their own level. In semi-private training each of the two clients has their own programme, and the coach runs both.
Will I get enough attention with someone else there?
Yes. The coach is with whoever is working while the other rests. Because strength training is mostly rest between short sets, your coach is with you throughout the session.
Do I have to train with a stranger?
You will often be paired with whoever booked the same slot, and it works fine because you are each on your own programme. If you would rather choose, bring a friend or partner and book together.
Can I have the same coach every time?
Yes, if their slots suit you. Your programme lives in the system, so you can also book whoever is on at the time you want and they pick up where the last coach left off.
Do you do one-to-one?
Semi-private 1:2 is our standard format. If you need something different, tell us and we will talk it through.
How long is a session?
30 minutes. It is short on purpose. A coached half hour with no waiting around does more than an unstructured hour.
How much does it cost?
Rolling memberships start at €179 every 4 weeks for two sessions a week, and our no-expiry packs never lapse. Your first session is free, no card and no commitment.
Get started
Claim your free session
Tell us a little about yourself and a member of the ATP team will be in touch to book in your free session.
ATP Fitness App
Manage your sessions on the go
Book your PT & classes straight from your phone, manage your membership and top up credits any time.
Find us
Two locations across Cork
Douglas
2nd Floor, Unit A1, Donnybrook Commercial Centre, Donnybrook, Cork City
Tel: 087 649 4134
Mon-Thurs: 6:30am - 8:30pm
Friday: 6:30am - 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Ballincollig
Unit 1A, Link Road Business Park, Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Tel: 085 725 2370
Mon-Thurs: 6:30am - 8:30pm
Friday: 6:30am - 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday: Closed