Small-Group Clinical Exercise Sessions in Hampstead — Personalised Exercise for 2–5 People
- 12 hours ago
- 7 min read
Author: Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Facilitator, & Founder of My Movement Medicine.
7 minute read
Category: Services, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Heart Health, Cardiac Rehabilitation
Introduction
From October 2026, My Movement Medicine is introducing small-group Clinical Exercise sessions at The Armoury in Hampstead for groups of 2–5 people.
These sessions are designed for people who want more individual attention than a larger group class can provide, while still benefiting from exercising alongside other people.
The group can follow a shared session structure, but exercise selection, weights, cardiovascular intensity, Borg RPE targets and progression can still be adapted to each individual.
Small-group exercise sits between a 1-to-1 session and a larger class: more individual attention, shared motivation and a lower cost per person.
What are small-group Clinical Exercise sessions?
Small-group sessions are gym-based exercise sessions led by a Clinical Exercise Physiologist for 2–5 people at a time.
Rather than everyone completing exactly the same programme at exactly the same level, the session can be adapted around each person's current capacity, health needs and goals.
That might mean:
Different weights for the same strength exercise
Different cardiovascular speeds or resistance levels
Different Borg RPE targets
Different exercise options
Different rest periods
Different ranges of movement
Different progression rates
The group provides shared structure and motivation, while the exercise prescription remains flexible.
Who may benefit from a small group?
Small-group sessions may suit people who:
Want more support than a larger group class provides
Prefer exercising with a friend, partner or family member
Have similar exercise goals but different fitness levels
Are transitioning from cardiac rehabilitation into longer-term exercise
Want clinically informed gym-based exercise
Need help progressing strength or cardiovascular fitness
Feel more confident exercising with a small number of familiar people
Would like individual adaptations without paying the full cost of a 1-to-1 session
You do not all need to be at the same fitness level. The session can be structured so each person works at an appropriate level.
Where do the sessions take place?
Small-group Clinical Exercise sessions are delivered at The Armoury in Hampstead.
The gym environment allows the session to use cardiovascular machines, resistance equipment, free weights and functional exercise space depending on the needs of the group.
How are the sessions personalised?
Small-group sessions are not simply a mini fitness class.
The session can be built around the shared goals of the group while still adjusting the exercise dose for each individual.
Personalisation may include:
Individual exercise options
Individual dumbbell or machine loads
Personal Borg RPE 6–20 targets
Different cardiovascular speeds or resistance levels
Adaptations for pain, mobility or balance
Different exercise durations
Individual progression from week to week
One person may be ready to increase resistance while another maintains the same level. One person may use a more challenging movement option while another uses additional support.
Progress does not have to look the same for everyone.
What can a small-group session include?
Cardiovascular exercise
Treadmill walking
Stationary cycling
Cross trainer
Other suitable gym-based cardiovascular equipment
Steady-state exercise
Controlled intervals where appropriate
Each participant can work at their own appropriate pace or resistance.
Resistance training
Machine-based resistance exercises
Dumbbells
Functional strength exercises
Lower-body strength
Upper-body strength
Progressive resistance training
Loads can be adjusted individually even when the group is performing the same exercise.
Balance and mobility
Balance, mobility and functional movement can be included where they support the goals of the group.
Exercise confidence
Small groups can be particularly useful for people who feel unsure about entering a gym alone but do not necessarily need a full 1-to-1 appointment.
How intensity is monitored
My Movement Medicine uses the Borg RPE 6–20 scale alongside the talk test and, where appropriate, heart-rate monitoring.
Warm-up: begin around RPE 6 and gradually build towards approximately 10–11
Main exercise: commonly work within RPE 11–14 depending on the individual and how they feel that day
Cool-down: gradually return to single figures and towards RPE 6 where possible
Within the same small group, people may therefore work at different exercise levels while still following the same overall session structure.
The aim is not for everyone to match each other. The aim is for each person to work at the right level for them.
Why choose a small group instead of a larger class?
A larger group session works well for many people, particularly when they are confident with their exercise options and enjoy the community environment.
A small group provides more time for:
Individual coaching
Technique feedback
Load selection
Exercise adaptation
Progression decisions
Questions during the session
More detailed gym-equipment guidance
It can be a useful step between a 1-to-1 programme and a larger group class.
Why choose a small group instead of a 1-to-1 session?
A 1-to-1 session allows the entire appointment to be focused on one person.
A small group shares that attention between 2–5 people, which reduces the price per person while keeping the group much smaller than a standard class.
Small groups may be particularly attractive when you already have a friend, partner, family member or small group who would like to exercise together.
30, 45 or 60 minutes — which session length works best?
30 minutes
Best for a focused session with a smaller number of exercises or a group that prefers a shorter appointment.
45 minutes
A balanced option for most small groups.
It provides enough time for a progressive warm-up, a useful cardiovascular and/or resistance-training block, and a proper cool-down.
60 minutes
Best for groups wanting a broader gym session with more time for cardiovascular exercise, strength work, technique coaching and individual progression.
Making the most of your booked session
If you are comfortable exercising independently and have already been advised that it is appropriate, you are welcome to arrive early and complete some of your warm-up or cardiovascular exercise before the small-group session begins.
For example, you may choose to spend some time walking on the treadmill or using a stationary bike before the booked session.
Arriving gently warmed up can allow the group to move more quickly into the main cardiovascular, strength and individual progression work, making more use of the booked 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
This is completely optional.
If you would prefer your warm-up to be supervised, are new to exercise, have recently had a cardiac event or procedure, or are unsure what intensity is appropriate, your warm-up can remain part of the booked session.
The aim is to arrive gradually warmed up, not fatigued. A harder cardiovascular workout before the session is not necessary.
October 2026 Discounted Starter Pricing
The prices below are introductory rates for the launch of the new small-group service.
Prices may increase in the future. However, anyone who gets started during the first month and remains an active client will keep their original starter pricing, even if the public price later increases.
Small-group package prices are shown per person. The amount in brackets is the equivalent cost per person, per session.
Package | 30 minutes | 45 minutes | 60 minutes |
PAYG – 1 session | £50 per person | £60 per person | £70 per person |
4 sessions | £160 (£40 pp/session) | £200 (£50 pp/session) | £240 (£60 pp/session) |
8 sessions | £280 (£35 pp/session) | £360 (£45 pp/session) | £440 (£55 pp/session) |
12 sessions | £360 (£30 pp/session) | £480 (£40 pp/session) | £600 (£50 pp/session) |
Why choose a package?
Small-group exercise works best when the group has enough time to build consistency and progress.
A package allows the programme to develop across several sessions rather than treating each appointment as a one-off workout.
That makes it easier to:
Repeat key exercises
Progress weights gradually
Increase cardiovascular duration or intensity
Build confidence with gym equipment
Review what each person is ready to change
Keep the group moving forward together while still adapting individually
Can people in the same group have different goals?
Yes.
One person may want to improve cardiovascular fitness while another wants to become stronger or more confident using gym equipment.
The session can still contain a shared structure, with individual adjustments within it.
Where goals are very different, a 1-to-1 session may sometimes be more appropriate.
Can small groups include people with different health conditions?
Potentially, yes.
The important consideration is whether the session can be delivered safely and usefully for everyone in the group.
Exercise selection, intensity and progression can be adjusted individually.
Where someone needs significantly more assessment or supervision, beginning with a 1-to-1 session may be more suitable.
Other ways to work with My Movement Medicine
Small-group exercise is one of several options available from October.
You can also choose:
1-to-1 Clinical Exercise Physiology at The Armoury
Larger My Movement Medicine group exercise sessions
Home Visit Clinical Exercise sessions, subject to location and availability
Frequently asked questions
How many people are in a small group?
Small-group sessions are designed for 2–5 people.
Do we all need to be the same fitness level?
No. Exercises, weights, cardiovascular intensity and progressions can be adapted individually.
Do we need gym experience?
No. The session can include learning how to use equipment safely and confidently.
Can I attend with my partner or a friend?
Yes. Small groups are well suited to people who already want to exercise together.
Can I arrive early and warm up before the session?
Yes, if you are comfortable exercising independently and have already been advised that it is appropriate.
A gentle independent warm-up or easy cardiovascular exercise before the booked time can allow more of the session to focus on strength, technique, progression and individual exercise prescription.
If you are unsure what to do, your warm-up should remain part of the supervised session.
Can we combine small-group sessions with larger MMM classes?
Yes. Some people may use a small group for more detailed gym-based progression while continuing larger group sessions for regular exercise and community support.
What happens if prices increase?
Anyone who gets started during the first month of the service and remains an active client will keep the starter pricing shown above.
If a client stops and later returns after a break, the current public price at that time may apply.
How to get started
If you already have 2–5 people who would like to exercise together, you can enquire about a suitable session length and time.
You do not all need to know exactly what your programme should include before getting started. The exercise structure and individual adaptations can be worked out as part of the service.
Summary
Small-group Clinical Exercise sessions offer a middle ground between a larger group class and a full 1-to-1 appointment.
Groups of 2–5 people can exercise together at The Armoury in Hampstead while still receiving individual adjustments to weights, cardiovascular intensity, Borg RPE targets, exercise options and progression.
Participants who are already comfortable exercising independently can also arrive early and complete a gentle warm-up or cardiovascular exercise before the booked session, helping the group make more use of the supervised time.
The discounted starter pricing is available during the first month of the service, and clients who begin during that period can keep those rates for as long as they remain active clients.
The aim is to combine individualised exercise with the motivation and enjoyment of exercising alongside other people.
References and useful links
This health guide was written by Jamie Pickett, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Health Facilitator, & Founder of My Movement Medicine & My Movement Medicine C.I.C.
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