All gyms are a place for many types of gym-goers, this does not include bodybuilding gyms and all-female gyms. All gyms offer personal training. There has always been a certain separation between male and female personal trainers. The big question here is why do men and women avoid personal training with the opposite sex?
From a personal trainer’s perspective, I see this male and female personal trainer avoid it quite often. First, most personal trainers are willing to work with everyone. Some may prefer older adults, men, women, children, or just athletes. In my own personal experience, some older women tend to avoid male personal trainers because they feel like they only like bodybuilding, which reduces the chances of training with a male trainer. Some women think that male trainers are the “arrogant” type. A good majority of women only want to train with trainers because they feel uncomfortable training with men. Most women look for instructors who are understanding and knowledgeable. Some seek out trainers who specialize in certain aspects of training, such as weight loss, corrective exercise, strength training, and have no preference for men or women.
The other day I ran into a gym goer while training some clients. Let’s call her “Connie”. He spoke with some of my clients both men and women. He asked them about my ability as a personal trainer and about my personality. Then my clients talked about my training methods and my personality. When I approached and introduced myself, he said that he had been looking for a personal trainer for a while and that I seemed like the type of trainer he wanted to work with. Of course I had to ask him why. Hearing some frustration in her voice, she indicated that she was intimidated by the male personal trainers she has seen at this particular gym. She needed to be trained by someone else “like her,” that is, a female personal trainer.
On very rare occasions, men have come to me for advice on how to achieve goals. Of course, I am always ready to help anyone with any fitness related question, be it male, female, young or old. I have had men who have deliberately avoided me like the plague in the gym even though they have watched me work out for several months. Don’t the letters on the back of my uniform say “Personal Trainer”? Am I bullying? Do you think that my years of experience and knowledge are insufficient? Am I not strong enough to see you? “Do you think you will offend me while you are talking to me?”
A few years ago while at the gym with my husband. I was watching him on his last set on the bench press. There was a guy at the chest press who clearly needed help. She waited until my husband finished and walked past me without saying a word and asked my husband for a place. I was disappointed. I may not be 6 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds, but I can clearly see a grown man lifting over 200 pounds. They deliberately ignored me. The question is why? Is it a testosterone thing? Not comfortable asking a personal trainer for help? Is it the male ego?
According to an anonymous source, I successfully received some answers to my previous questions. Most men prefer to train with male personal trainers due to their body type or physique. Training with another man who is fit or “fit” will ultimately result in the same fitness results. Many men believe that female coaches are uninformed or have no way of relating to them. Others see coaches as a distraction, they may have a bad attitude or personality. Some men could care less as long as their fitness goals are met. In some cases, men prefer a trainer because training with a male personal trainer makes them feel out of shape. There is definitely a pattern with both sides. Everyone wants personal training with someone they can relate to, be it a male or female coach. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.
While researching this particular topic, I came across little to no detailed information on why men avoid personal training for women.