Why You’re Not Getting Results From F45 Even If You Go Every Day
Why You’re Not Getting Results From F45 Even If You Go Every Day
There’s a certain type of person who ends up at F45, Barry’s Bootcamp or Orangetheory.
They’re consistent. Disciplined. Willing to work hard.
They don’t need motivation. They already have it.
They like structure, they like intensity, and they like walking out of a session feeling like they’ve done something worthwhile. And for a while, that approach works. Fitness improves, energy lifts, and there’s a sense of momentum that feels encouraging.
But over time, something changes.
You’re still going regularly. Still pushing yourself. Still sweating through every session. But your body isn’t changing in the way you expected. Strength plateaus. Body composition stalls. The results that once felt inevitable start to feel just out of reach.
If you’ve found yourself questioning why, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you’re not doing anything wrong.
The Problem Isn’t Effort, It’s Direction
Most people assume they need to do more.
More sessions. More intensity. More effort.
But research consistently shows that effort alone is not what drives physical change. Adaptation - the body’s ability to respond to training - depends on how that effort is structured over time, not just how hard each session feels.
There’s a clear distinction between:
· Exercising frequently
· Training progressively
Group training environments are very effective at the first. They are far less reliable at delivering the second.
Why HIIT Stops Working for Fat Loss and Strength
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become one of the most popular training methods globally, largely because it is time-efficient and engaging. It does improve cardiovascular fitness, and studies have shown it can be effective for general health (Weston, Wisløff & Coombes 2014).
However, when HIIT becomes the primary or only form of training, its limitations become more apparent.
Most sessions are built around:
· Elevated heart rate
· Repeated short bursts of effort
· Constant movement with minimal rest
What’s often missing is structured progression.
A systematic review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that while HIIT can improve aerobic capacity, it is significantly less effective than resistance training for increasing lean muscle mass and strength (Grgic et al. 2019).
This is important because muscle mass plays a critical role in metabolism, body composition, and long-term weight management.
In other words, you can be working extremely hard, but without the right stimulus, your body has no reason to change.
Sweat Feels Like Progress, But It Isn’t
One of the most persistent misconceptions in fitness is that intensity equals results.
You can leave a session exhausted, drenched in sweat, completely spent - and still not be progressing.
Because sweat is a response.
Progress is an adaptation.
And adaptation requires progressive overload - the gradual increase of stress placed on the body during training.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) identifies progressive overload as a fundamental principle for improving strength and body composition (ACSM 2009). Without it, the body simply maintains its current state.
This is where many group-based programs fall short. The intensity is there, but the progression is not.
Why Group Training Hits a Plateau
At the beginning, almost any form of training works. Your body is exposed to something new, and it responds quickly.
But over time, that response slows.
In a group training model:
· Workouts vary daily
· Exercises change frequently
· Load is rarely tracked or progressed systematically
This lack of consistency makes it difficult to build strength in a meaningful way.
Research published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research highlights that structured resistance training programs with consistent progression lead to significantly greater improvements in strength and muscle mass compared to non-periodised or randomised training approaches (Kraemer & Ratamess 2004).
Add to that the absence of individualisation, and the limitations become more obvious. Everyone is following the same session, regardless of their goals, injury history, or training experience.
That works well for engagement.
It doesn’t work as well for results.
Strength Is the Missing Piece
If the goal is to:
· Improve body composition
· Build lean muscle
· Increase strength
· Support long-term health
Then resistance training is not optional.
It’s essential.
The Australian Government’s physical activity guidelines recommend muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week, specifically because of their role in improving metabolic health, bone density, and overall physical function (Department of Health and Aged Care 2021).
Strength training provides:
· Progressive overload
· Measurable progression
· Increased muscle mass
· Improved insulin sensitivity
These are the factors that drive visible, lasting change.
HIIT alone does not provide this.
F45 vs Personal Training: What Actually Changes
The difference between group training and personal training is not simply the environment. It’s the intent behind the training.
In a group setting, the goal is to deliver a session that works for as many people as possible.
In a personalised setting, the goal is to create a program that works specifically for you.
That introduces:
· Structured progression
· Load tracking
· Movement-specific coaching
· Individualised programming
Instead of repeating effort, you’re building capacity.
Instead of chasing fatigue, you’re developing strength.
This is where the comparison between F45 and personal training becomes meaningful. Not in terms of difficulty, but in terms of outcome.
Where CGPT Fits In
Most people who come to CGPT are not lacking motivation or discipline. They’ve already proven they can commit to training.
What they haven’t had is a system that allows them to progress.
At CGPT, the focus is on:
· Personalised strength training
· Progressive programming
· Building strength safely and consistently
There’s less emphasis on intensity for the sake of it, and more emphasis on doing the right things over time.
For many clients, this is the point where results start to become noticeable again. Not because they’re working harder, but because their training finally has direction.
A Smarter Next Step
If you’re currently training in a group environment and enjoying it, there’s no reason to stop.
But if you’re not seeing results, it’s worth asking whether your current approach is actually giving your body a reason to change.
In many cases, the answer becomes clear once you experience something more structured.
That’s why we offer a free intro session at CGPT.
It’s an opportunity to:
· Understand why your progress has stalled
· See how a structured strength program works
· Get clarity on what your next step should be
You can read more about what to expect here:
https://www.chrisgympt.com/what-to-expect-at-your-first-personal-training-session-at-cgpt-and-why-its-different-to-every-other-gym
From there, you can decide what makes sense for you.
If you’ve been searching for alternatives to F45 in Melbourne, comparing personal training vs group fitness, or trying to understand why your results have plateaued, this is usually where things start to shift.
Ready to find out more? Email Andrea.
REFERENCES:
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 2009, Progression Models in Resistance Training for Healthy Adults, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 687–708.
Department of Health and Aged Care 2021, Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines, Australian Government, Canberra.
Grgic, J, Schoenfeld, BJ, Skrepnik, M, Davies, TB & Mikulic, P 2019, Effects of resistance training on muscle size and strength in very elderly adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis, British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 53, no. 14.
Kraemer, WJ & Ratamess, NA 2004, Fundamentals of Resistance Training: Progression and Exercise Prescription, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 16, no. 4.
Weston, KS, Wisløff, U & Coombes, JS 2014, High-intensity interval training in patients with lifestyle-induced cardiometabolic disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis, British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 48, no. 16.




