Private Lessons or Group Classes?

What's the basic difference between the two?

In a group class the coach's attention is shared across the class, and the level of the class sets the program. In a private lesson all of that attention is on you, and the program is set by your goal, your weak points and how you are that day. That doesn't make one better than the other: a group class gives you tempo, partners and consistency; a private lesson gives you speed and precision.

Who are group classes the better choice for?

• Most people starting from scratch. This is exactly what the beginner group is for: low tempo, a focus on technique, everyone at the same stage.
• People looking for routine. A fixed day and time takes away the “should I go today?” question. What keeps you going is usually the calendar, not willpower.
• People who run on social motivation. If the person next to you does one more round, so do you.
• People watching their budget. Same coach, same gym, half the price.
• People who want partner work. Working with partners of different heights and tempos isn't possible in a private lesson.

Who do private lessons make sense for?

• People without a fixed schedule. Shift workers, seasonal workers, frequent travellers.
• People with a specific goal. Competition prep, getting one particular technique right, supporting another sport.
• People with reservations. Those who feel shy about starting in a group, who are coming back after a long break, or who have an old injury. Moving into a group after a few months of private lessons is a common route.
• Kids who can't make the group times. At F8, private lessons can be arranged for any age from 6 up.
• People who want to progress fast. In an hour where every rep is watched, a mistake gets corrected before it becomes a habit.

Do private lessons really teach you faster?

On technique, yes: you get more corrections in the same amount of time. But progress in a combat sport isn't only technique. Your sense of distance, your timing and your ability to stay calm under pressure develop by working with different partners, and private lessons alone can't give you that. That's why even competitive fighters work one-on-one for technique and with the group to apply it.

A realistic expectation is this: private lessons build the foundation quickly and cleanly; group classes teach you to use that foundation in real conditions. For more on how long progress takes, see the guide what do you learn, and in how many months?

Can you combine the two?

Yes, and it's often the most effective set-up. Three common ways to do it:

• Start with private lessons, then move to the group. Stance, footwork and the basic strikes settle one-on-one; after that you walk into the group comfortably.
• Stick with the group and take a private lesson where you get stuck. A mistake that hasn't gone away in months can be fixed in an hour or two of one-on-one work.
• Add private lessons in the run-up to a competition. Camp, tactics and weight management are individual.

At F8, the combat sports classes, group or private, are taught by Turkey National Muay Thai Team Coach Doğukan Siler, so when you move from group to private or the other way round, the coach and the method stay the same.

How do you decide at F8?

To decide, you need to try first, and the first class is free for both. When you message us on WhatsApp, tell us your age, your sports background, your goal and the times that suit you; the coach sees your level in the first class and gives you an honest recommendation. For most people our advice is to start with group classes; if you do need private lessons, that becomes obvious within a few weeks.

All the prices and the membership terms are on the prices page: membership is monthly, with no contract, upfront payment or cancellation fee.