Up Close and Personal

Last night I was working with a client and I started thinking about how close the trainer/client relationship really gets. I've been working with "Zach" for about 6 months now, usually twice a week and I have to say - the job requires me to get pretty close. It's nearly a requirement for trainers to touch their clients. That's an interesting road to go down, especially in the early stages of the relationship.

The position during which I find myself always having to touch my clients is the bridge position (pictured). Nearly every session I have done involves me placing my hand under the small of their back and gently pushing upward. This isn't a problem with the women normally, but with the guys it can get a little weird.

I am always a little bit afraid that some guys will get freaked out with another guy touching the small of his back - with the close proximity to the "glutes" and all. But even further, this position usually involves me on my knee or knees and really close to the guy's crotch. Sure this could be like some great porn but I'm actually trying to get the guy to extend his hips and tighten his ass. Nothing is worse than a saggy backside.

With Zach the touching came pretty naturally - he didn't seem to mind. Since he was one of my first hardcore, dedicated, regular clients I followed the standard protocol, asking if I could touch here and there. Now we're to the point where I just do what I have to do to get him into the position he needs to be in.

Last night, we were in the middle of a very intense workout that pushed him to his limits and I found myself touching his sweaty back, pushing gently between his shoulder blades. He gets up from the t-bar row machine and ends up on the mat where I am putting my fingers around his belly button to see if he's "drawing-in" appropriately. I feel like I touch this guy everywhere all of the time and it's this vulnerability on his part that makes him such a good client and why he's progressing so well. He has no issues other than he wants a good workout and I have no agenda in touching him other than to give him the optimum workout.
I like it that way.

Contrast this with "Matt" with whom I spent the entire hour of his free introductory session looking at his muscles. Although he was highly experienced and needed very little assistance from me I found the need to readjust him more than most people. He was the eager type of gym boy who was oblivious to the cuteness he was oozing through his sweaty performance during squats on the Bosu ball. "Reach back with your butt," I would say. He'd do it without question or hesitation. Hours like that make my job oh so enjoyable.