Maddie is a 28-year-old student who was back in London for six weeks over Christmas while studying abroad. She wanted to stay consistent with her training, meet new people, and make real progress in the gym — not just go through the motions.
The Challenge
Maddie had always enjoyed big group classes.
She loved the energy, the buzz, and the social side of training.
But there was a downside.
Like many people, she felt that in large classes she wasn’t getting much individual feedback or coaching. She wanted to improve her technique, build strength properly, and feel more confident in the gym — especially with a marathon coming up.
She needed something more personal, without losing that group training atmosphere.
Why She Nearly Didn’t Start
Maddie knew personal training could help — but one-to-one PT wasn’t what she was looking for.
She wanted:
- Coaching and feedback
- A supportive group environment
- Training that fitted around running and marathon prep
Small group personal training felt like the best of both worlds — if it was done right.
The Turning Point
Maddie joined a 6-week small group programme at Engine Room, and everything clicked.
From the start, the coaches worked with her to build a specific training plan around her goals — improving lower body strength while balancing marathon training.
That early planning meant she felt confident combining strength work with running, without worrying about overdoing it or training blindly.
The Results
In just six weeks, Maddie saw and felt real changes:
Visible changes in her physique and muscle tone
Increased lower body strength to support marathon running
Gained muscle in her arms — an unexpected bonus
Improved form, speed, and endurance when running
Built enough strength to do push-ups (which she couldn’t do before)
Here’s what Maddie had to say:
“I did a six-week programme at Engine Room and definitely saw changes in my physique.
I gained muscle, improved my strength, and it’s really helped my running — especially my form, speed, and endurance.”
What This Means for You
If you enjoy group training but feel like you’re missing out on real coaching, you’re not alone.
At Engine Room, small group personal training gives you:
- Individual attention
- A structured plan built around your goals
- A friendly, welcoming community
As Maddie put it, every time you walk in, people are happy to see you — and you’re in very good hands.