Trying to pick up men or women at the gym. Bad or good?

i dont like talking to anyone in the gym. but my friend seems to be able to meet women all the time this way.

Conspicuously absent from the list: have your friend give her your phone number and confuse two countries that are on the brink of war.

In my defense, I wasn't even trying. I just used a guest pass to go to a class with my friend because she had been bugging me to try it out. I didn't really pay attention to anyone in particular... I was too busy being self conscious about being the only guy in the class. A week later my friend tells me that "The Russian Girl" was asking where I was. She explained that I wasn't a member, but I worked out running roads and trails, had my own home gym, etc.

So I allowed my friend to try to do "something". The next time the class met, she gave "The Russian Girl" a piece of paper with my number on it and said it would be great for us to meet because "He's Russian just like you!".

Except she's not Russian... she's Ukrainian.

Which if I was really Russian it would matter, but the extent of my Russian-ness is that I used to go to a Russian church, but it will still count against me.

Surprisingly my phone has not rung.

It's too late for that now. Plus, I'm not a member, so there's no way I'll join a gym I don't need for a girl who already thinks I'm some type of weird imperialist that is trying to take over her motherland.

I'd hate it.

I picked my gym carefully to avoid running into people I know (e.g. colleagues) so I can be as relaxed as possible. If someone hit on me at my gym, it would make me feel awkward and you shouldn't feel weird at a gym. You should feel comfortable making a fool of yourself - hard to do that when you think there is at least one person watching you.

I suppose if the person you're hitting on already looks super fit, they probably don't have the above issues.

Nope nope nope and NOPE.

This is bad. If I ever get hit on I will shut that s**t down so quickly. Time and a place people!

That said, in my gym there's certain times which seem to be more social. Going anytime after 8pm at night and it's more like a place where people go to chat etc. I guess if people are wanting to pick up, they would probably go at that point rather than the straight before/after work crowd who are just in - out, and want to get the workout done and get on with their lives!

Depends on how much they weigh and how much you can pick up. All kidding aside; I would go with a no on this one.

I was going to make this joke, but you beat me to it. This round goes to you.

You all make good points, but wouldn't you want to meet a like minded person? And if you're there to improve your body, chances are they are there for the same reason. I see nothing wrong with it, and if he's attracted to me when I look my worse, then it can only get better!

Here's what I've seen: 2 people hook up at gym. Things are fine for awhile. Break up happens. Person who is more sensitive leaves establishment because they can't seem to cope that their ex still works out there along side them.

Personally, I've never seen a hook up at a gym last. That's just from what I've observed though.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

This guy tells you how not to pick up chicks in the gym - its tongue and cheek...makes me laff anyways!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvHbnhl3M8

No, I really hate being hit on at the gym. Besides the fact that I'm Married, it's just very uncomfortable. I try not to make eye contact with anyone there. My gym is all mirrors, on every wall. So it's very obvious when someone is watching, so I just go to another machine or area.

Personally I don't want somebody trying to hit on me at the gym, it's not the place for it.

I do understand that sometimes you can be really attracted to someone, and at the gym I do talk to regulars / get on quite well with some of them. I don't necessarily think if you feel something in a situation like this that you should have to ignore it, couples have met in the unlikeliest of places before, and with the gym at least you have common interests but IMO it's best kept to outside the gym.
If you talk a lot already, maybe ask them if you fancy seeing each other outside the gym, or if you are into fb/social media, add them on there - I have a couple of the regulars I get on with on my fb, it's fairly common at both gym's I've been to. I would honestly prefer that sort of interaction to happen there or wherever else, than I would while working out, if they're genuinely interested.

If they're just some random guy who I've never spoken to, I definitely wouldn't be interested. Same goes for if you're just there to pick up women. Oh and I never understood the mentality to just do certain things (compliment outfit etc) just because you heard it's good to get girls. Like, what? Go to the club or bar for that. Be yourself/genuine and as in most environments, that's how relationships develop.

You all make good points, but wouldn't you want to meet a like minded person? And if you're there to improve your body, chances are they are there for the same reason. I see nothing wrong with it, and if he's attracted to me when I look my worse, then it can only get better!

But I don't want to meet someone right now. This means getting hit on can only result in awkwardness. (Only way to find out if someone is off the market is to make your intentions known.)

I definitely feel more body confident since I started working out, but I feel vulnerable in my gym clothes, sweating away. I would find being hit on in that environment an intrusion of my 'safe space'. I don't mind being hit on when I feel I look good (i.e. fully made up, nice clothes!) because I can shrug that off, but no, please don't anyone flirt with me in my gym!

I am anti social at the gym!!! It's not the place, I just want to workout and go home... I wear head phones with music loud.... I never hear anyone anyway!!!