Valentine’s Day has come and gone and if you’re one of those people who has found true love elusive, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief when Cupid hangs up his bow and arrow for another year!
However, the good news is that the gym is actually one of the best places to find love because the gym environment is usually a relaxed environment that attracts like-minded and health-conscious people.
Research reveals that matchmaking potential is high at health clubs with statistics indicating that one in four health club members feel it is a great place to meet someone special, while one in five members actually met your partner in the gym.
A friend of mine once joined a gym just before she went abroad to live permanently. She wanted to be in the best physical shape of hers before starting her journey and then settling down in London. However, in the lead up to her departure, every night at the gym, a very cute boy kept catching her eye. Smiles were exchanged, as were subtle ‘hellos’, but she didn’t think of that because she thought he was completely out of her league and she was concentrating on traveling abroad. Then one night, she cheekily rolled a weight in her direction, nearly tripping her (after all, boys will always be boys!). She broke the ice allowing them to talk so they went out to dinner and these days they are happily married and still love going to the same gym where they first met!
So, what are you waiting for? True love could be watching you from across the gym floor right now!
Tips for men
Want to know how to approach someone you’re attracted to at the gym? Let me share some secrets that will allow you to break the ice without looking like a stalker. Remember, while the gym is a great place to meet someone special, it’s not as appropriate to flirt as you would at a nightclub, however it may require an equally detailed and well thought out approach.
Back:
o Be fun, relaxed and playful.
o The biggest obstacle to socializing would have to be the iPod. If your person of interest is trapped in their iPod universe, you’ll need to be smart and use solid, non-intrusive eye contact. Be kind, smile, and look for a positive response. Be patient and slowly wear down the barriers. If you’re getting negative feedback, it’s time to move on and respect your space.
o Be prepared, pay attention to your training regimen (without getting creepy about it!) as otherwise your person of interest may appear out of nowhere, potentially leaving you stuttering and missing out on interaction. Have an icebreaker prepared ahead of time, praise her (again without looking creepy) and once you know her name, use it!
o Spin class is a great way to break the ice, the lights are off, the music is loud, everyone is relaxed and playful. A good time to talk is before or after class. Just remember to keep it relaxed, light and smile!
o Be friendly and fun! Great relationships often start with friendships. Challenge them to a race on the treadmill, see who can do the most curls or hold the iron the longest! It could leave you both with stitches (in a good way, not in a medical sense).
not to do:
o Flexing in front of the mirror, grunting, or acting like Mr. I’m Too Sexy.
o Overspray your cologne, heavy breathing requires fresh air, a nice light deodorant and fragrance will suffice.
o Continually harassing staring or disrespecting personal space.
Tips for women
The gym is a great place to find a partner who cares about your body and health. But how do you approach the guy you’re interested in since he’s there to work out, not socialize? The last thing you want is a public rejection and having to go back day after day. However, there is a way to make this a win-win situation, keep reading to find out more.
Back:
o Be warm, open and smile, you will ooze mystery and charisma. Men (and women!) love a fun, upbeat lady. You’ll appear fresh, straightforward, ensuring they’ll come back for more.
o Make friends with staff and other members; The more networks you have, the closer you will be to them.
o Ask around and see who might already know them. Find out if they are single to begin with. Keep it casual and it will probably tell them that you were showing interest, which may motivate them to break the ice first!
o Ask them for help, for example, to get a heavy weight on or off a machine. Then see if he’s happy to oblige, and if so, try to start a conversation. Of course, if it feels/seems like it’s taking up their valuable time and the task is more of a nuisance than a privilege, then you know that making a move probably won’t go down well.
o Of course, if she starts paying more attention to you and her gaze becomes more intense, ask her out! Seriously, girls can do it! Just keep it casual and lighthearted. If you have all the signs, ask them casually if they’d like to join you for a drink. Short and relaxed is the key.
not to do:
o Avoid wearing overpowering perfumes.
o Don’t dress like you’re in a bar. Avoid heavy makeup and instead opt for a new gym outfit, smell fresh, and keep your look natural.
o Do not wear headphones as this can make you appear inaccessible. To make it easy for him, invite him with your smile, eye contact, and an icebreaker compliment.
Meeting someone special at the gym can be fun, so take a deep breath, be brave, and say ‘hi’. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?
Happy dating and go out and meet someone like-minded!
