The Dos and Don’ts of Gym Flirting

The art of successfully flirting at the gym is a subtle one. Just as gym-wear can be revealing, so, too, are many of the tactics that guys typically employ to try to pick up a girl mid-workout.

As in, way too obvious and for the most part unwelcome.

First of all, you need to be mindful of her situation. She is busting her ass trying to get fit, so she is out there with an intention, and that intention in no way involves you. It requires getting creative. She is also sweaty, red-faced and out of breath which either leaves her feeling like a bad-ass gym goddess or vulnerable and exposed. We don’t want to be gawked at or interrupted. Which makes it difficult to come up with a novel approach that doesn’t have you coming off like a creeper. So though the gym may seem like a great place to meet other hardbodies, you may be setting yourself up for failure.

Here’s how to navigate the situation and score some flirty banter and possibly more:

DON’T: Approach mid-workout and interrupt our flow. You will be immediately written off as annoying, too forward, disrespectful, etc.

DO: Approach during downtime, water breaks, between reps, when we are finished with machines. Choose a time when our earphones are already out- if we have to stop our music and take them out to find we are getting hit on, we are already annoyed with you, and your chances of success have significantly diminished.

DON’T: Position yourself in her field of vision and try to show off your rippling muscles and lifting skills.

DO: Just do what you normally do, be authentic, and we will notice you if we deem you worthy of our attention.

DON’T: Stare at us and grin creepily while we are bending over to touch our toes or comment about how good we look in our spandex.

DO: Be a gentleman. Chivalry isn’t dead after all these years precisely because it’s effective. Hold a door open, let us in front of you at the water fountain, let us have the machine that we are both approaching at the same time. Smile at us and make eye contact.

DON’T: Offer fitness tips with hands-on assistance, run right next to us on the track, or ask if we would like the companionship of a “gym buddy.”

DO: Break the ice with a thoughtful question on our times or reps, ask if we are training for anything in particular, or pull out an intelligent comment about the book we are reading.

Done correctly with these tips in mind, flirting at the gym can be a great opportunity to connect with women with who you share common interests and take care of their bodies.