Private or group lessons?

Question

I'm going to start ice skating this winter, and I was wondering if I should take private or group lessons. I really want to move quickly and I don't know if I will be able to do that if I'm skating with 7 year olds. Also, sometimes when I'm in groups learning things I get frustrated easier, and I definitely don't want to risk wanting to quit because I'm frustrated.
People having been telling me not to take private lessons right away because you're just learning the basics. I just don't think I'd be as excited to learn if I was with little kids. Does taking private lessons help you learn the basics faster (I would take 30 min. private lessons)? I can skate forward pretty steadily at a medium pace, but that's about it.
I can't take both, my parents say I have to choose between the two. So which would you choose and why?

Answer 1

Check with the rink to see what age groups there are for the group classes. Depending on your age, you may not have to be "stuck" skating with little kids!

This is just from my experience, but of course the final decision is totally up to you. I started with group classes and was glad I did.

*Group classes are cheaper. Pay the class fee up front and that's it. Plus you usually get free public session ice on the day of the lesson, and possibly some other "perks". With privates, you have to pay the coach AND for the ice time.

*Group classes have a specific structure . . . I knew what all I was going to learn by the end of that class. I think I learned faster initially because I knew what to expect and what was expected out of me by a specific time. You'll learn the same basics in privates, but the pacing will be at the coach's discretion.

*I met so many other skaters at my level in group class. We could compare notes and share lots of laughs. And after all these years we are still friends! It's not really good to "compare", but seeing how others progress can be a motivating factor to learn (or learn faster!).

*I was taught by many instructors in group - some I liked, some I didn't. They all have different teaching methods/styles and personalities - and I could tell which ones would be compatible with me. Sticking with group classes and getting to know other skaters, I also got the scoop on the different instructors which helped tremendously when it was finally time for me to pick one instructor. Otherwise, I don't know how I would have chosen the right instructor for "me".

*I learned the basics with different approaches because I had different instructors - not just one coach's view. Sometimes it took a different coach to make me understand how to do something.

*With group, I didn't have to feel pressured to have the focus on "me" the entire half hour or so. When the instructor came to everyone individually, I was glad to have some "break" so I could practice on my own a bit - to soak in what was being taught (and oh there's a lot to learn!).

*With group, sometimes you get to do the elements in front of your class one by one . . . which in hind sight I thought was good. It was sort of like getting a pre-experience of having to skate in front of people - skating with "some" pressure!

Group lessons aren't forever . . . it ends at a certain level and if you've made it that far, you'd probably continue on to privates anyway. And remember you can take privates at anytime - stop group to go private, or take privates in addition to group.

Taking private lessons off the bat may or may not make you learn faster in the beginning . . . it depends on the person. Really it's how much practice time you put into it!

Hope that helps! Good luck whichever you choose!

Answer 2

Start with the group lessons -- to make sure you even like skating in the first place. Maybe skating with 7-year-olds will cause you to work harder and pass out of the levels faster. Use it as motivation. Plus, you may not even start with 7-year-olds....you may find your whole group is your age. At times, you'll get frustrated in both group or private lessons. Being older, you may be able to test out of the "7-year-old level" anyway. In our group lessons, we have 7 to 9-year olds in all of our various basic levels, so it may be hard to completely avoid them. Maybe skate with the adult class if your rink has one -- that's how I started as a kid. Private lessons are more expensive than group lessons and your parents may be more willing to invest in the group lessons.

I would take the group lessons and practice hard. Tell your instructor your goals. Private lessons would probably be more helpful once you reach the free skate levels. I jumped into private lessons shortly after one set of group lessons. Now that I teach group lessons, I find that there are a lot of things they learn in groups that I never learned through private lessons (for example, I never did half jumps).

Answer 3

Id recommend starting with group lessons. It can be kind of embarrassing to be with five year olds but you need to learn the basics before taking private lessons. Once you've learned forward and backward crossovers, basic edges, one foot no entry spin, and maybe bunny hops and waltz jump. Which, since your older should not take as long. Practice at public skating and once you get better take private lessons becuase you will advance 100 times faster

Answer 4

Choose the group lessons because you can test and move up Quickly and leave the seven year olds.It is cheaper and when a coach tells you you need private lessons befor you are in group 5 Dont listen. After group 6 you can start.
Teara

Any questions e-mail me at [e-mail]
or [e-mail]

Answer 5

I am not a skating expert but like most activities requiring skill it is best to learn and practice the basic moves first, Once you have conquered these( and you will soonknow)you may then consider taking private lessons. There is no sense wasting your parent's money if the talent is lacking.

Answer 6

group. if u alrdy know how to go forward, u won't be at the lowest class. i learnt with little kids, i learnt just fine, i strted in feb, i was 13, im 14 now but ive alrdy landed m flip, i strted private lessons about 3 mths ago...neways take group first, when u get to about freestyle 1, thn take privates, its cheaper....and funner when u make friends, me n my friends who btw are younger thn me, have alot of fun at group lessons.( Right now, i take group and private lessons, both once a week.)

Answer 7

start with group then move to private...or just find a friend who's good and ask them to start you off. A lot of it has to do with your natural athletic ability so ask yourself if you are...if you are you should start with a few groups and then move up from there.