| You don't have to wait for New Year to make | | | | what now? |
| resolutions. If you aspire to get fit and find a girl, I'm | | | | Bear in mind that the gym is not a pick up joint. Yes, |
| going to show you how to achieve both goals at | | | | loads of the women are single, but they're not there |
| once. | | | | to get chatted up - they're there to keep |
| Now, I've got to admit, I've always been the kind of | | | | themselves fit. If they catch you drooling at them in |
| guy who prefers the route of least exertion. Given | | | | the mirror they're going to steer well clear. |
| the choice between a night on the sofa and an hour | | | | Forget about finding a date for the moment, and |
| at the gym, I'll take the remote control, please. | | | | think about making new friends. Greet the staff with |
| But all that changed when I realised that if I wanted | | | | a smile, chat to other guys while you wait for the |
| some female company on my sofa, an hour at the | | | | weights, make pleasant conversation with anyone |
| gym was one of the best ways to achieve my goal. | | | | who offers; get yourself known as a really decent |
| Gyms are incredibly sociable places. They're packed | | | | guy, and before you know it people will be |
| full of people keen to share and receive good advice, | | | | clamouring to set you up on blind dates with their |
| chat while they wait for an exercise class, or grab a | | | | mates. |
| quick smoothie when they've finished their work out. | | | | Keep yourself presentable. You're going to get |
| Whether you're looking for friends, fun or romance, | | | | sweaty, there's no avoiding that, but make sure you |
| there are few quicker ways of getting to know girls | | | | deodorise beforehand and shower thoroughly |
| than regular trips to the gym. | | | | afterwards. No matter how proud you are of your |
| So, how do you go about it? | | | | new pecs, steer clear of the skin tight clothes, and |
| Well, the main thing to remember is that you're | | | | stick to appropriate gym gear. |
| actually there to exercise. I'm serious. And there are | | | | When you do talk to cute girls, start off slowly. Say |
| three very good reasons why this is so: | | | | hi if you're on the machine next to them. Offer |
| Firstly, tone up those abs a bit and you'll soon find | | | | advice if they need it, but move away once it's |
| yourself looking and feeling a whole lot better. Good | | | | taken. If you're getting more water, offer to fetch |
| news for you, and much more attractive to her. | | | | for them, too. But remember that they're there to |
| Secondly, most gyms have a swarm of sleazy guys | | | | work out, so don't keep distracting them unless it's |
| who never do any exercise. Slack off too much and | | | | clear that they want you to. |
| the girls will assume you're only there to ogle them | | | | Remember, women like nice guys. You're smart, |
| which doesn't do much for your chances! | | | | you're considerate, you've got a cute smile. Take |
| And thirdly, if you know what you're doing, you can | | | | things slowly, be patient, be polite and before you |
| strike up a conversation by offering a girl good | | | | know it you'll find yourself sitting in the juice bar (well, |
| advice. | | | | it is a gym!) getting to know a girl better over a post |
| Okay, so you've familiarized yourself with the running | | | | work out pineapple smoothie. |
| machines and you know your way to the pool - | | | | |