Methods and apparatus are provided for per-antenna training in a multiple antenna communication system having a plurality of transmit antenna branches. A long training sequence is transmitted on each of the transmit antenna branches such that only one of the transmit antenna branches is active at a given time. The active transmit antenna branch transmits the long training sequence with an increased power level relative to a transmission of a payload by the active transmit antenna branch. The increased power level for the active transmit antenna branch compensates for the inactive transmit antenna branches being silent during the given time. Thus, the active transmit antenna branch provides approximately the same antenna power while transmitting the long training sequence as a total power of the plurality of transmit antenna branches during a transmission of the payload. The increased power level can be provided, for example, by a digital-to-analog converter associated with the active transmit antenna branch.