Morning! In honor of the upcoming Healthy Living Summit (I leave for Chicago on Thursday), I had a Grilled Banana Sandwich for breakfast:
I first ate Grilled Banana Sandwich (the unhealthy version) in Boston on the Friday of the first HLS, and then I came back home and created a healthifed version of the recipe!
It will always be one of my favorite recipes!
I wonder what kind of recipes I’ll bring back from HLS 2010 in Chicago!
How to Pick Up Friends at the Gym
This post idea came to me in my sleep! I woke up this morning and thought, “I should write about my pick-up tips at the gym.” 
I know how many of you are dying to meet more healthy-minded friends. I’ve actually picked-up many friends at the gym over the years. Here’s how to pick up friends at the gym… without appearing creepy or desperate.
![[DSCN9996[3].jpg]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DOQrQIzggu8/SoVw3EVSdUI/AAAAAAAAM3g/jMnfERdD1O8/s1600/DSCN9996%5B3%5D.jpg)
Prepare to dust yo’ shoulders off.
- Pick the right gym: If you’re new to an area and want to meet people, don’t join the small neighborhood gym just because it’s close to your house. If most of the attendees are several decades older than you are, it’s going to be hard to meet friends your age. When scoping out gyms, consider all the factors: location, atmosphere, price, and friend potential.
- Listen to earbud cues: Don’t stroll around the gym blasting music. It makes you seem unapproachable. Similarly, if a potential friend has her earbuds in, don’t interrupt her – she doesn’t want to chat. Some people use the gym to socialize, and others use earbuds as a “No talking” sign. Be aware of your signals and others, too.
- Don’t forget about the employees: Become friendly with the trainers and receptionist. They are potential buddies, too!
- Take classes (and show up a little early): Find a class you enjoy and attend it regularly. You’ll become a familiar face and other regulars will notice. Say hello to people when you walk in and ask them how their weekend went – be engaging! By arriving earlier, you’ll have more time to talk.
- The best opener: I always open conversations with a stranger with a genuine compliment. “I have those sneakers, too. I love Brooks – aren’t they great?” or “I love your ring – when are you getting married?” It’s hard to turn down a compliment.
- Take it outside the gym: Once you establish a connection with a gym buddy, try to move the friendship outside the gym after a few weeks. This will probably happen naturally, but if it doesn’t, jokily saying something like, “We should probably hang out outside of these crappy fluorescent lights and yoga pants one day.” Go for a post-workout smoothie or coffee. Or suggest trying out a yoga studio or going for an outdoor run.
Have you made friends at the gym? What’s your pick-up line?
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haha this is hilarious! i don’t know if i have a pick-up line, but everyone always wants to look like they know what they’re doing. maybe ask someone how to do the move they’re doing? or what they’re doing it for? i’m sure they’d love to explain and it’s a great convo starter!
I always become buddy-buddy with the guys who work at the gym – well, namely older, more buff-grandpa-types, but whatever.
It’s nice to be greeted/ encouraged at 6AM!
Sandwich looks phenom. Must. Have. Now.
lol – The only guys that approach me are the buff grandpa’s. Sad but true.
I can’t wait to read all the comments for this post! And thanks Caitlin for your tips
I am the worst at putting myself out there (although was certainly forced to last weekend at Blogher) and I would love to make friends at the gym. I always figure no one wants to chat.
I’m not one to make friends at the gym. I prefer to get in, do my workout, and get out. Once you start chatting then your workout takes twice as long.
good list,I think taking classes is a easy way.
Great tips! It seems harder to make girlfriends as you get older and especially healthy friends.
Sad to say, I’m the earbuds in, “no talking zone” type. I find that I am usually pressed for time and like to get out of there! But that being said, I have made a few friends coming early to classes and stayed after to chat. It’s motivating to know that you’ll know others when you want to take the class again.
I am lucky enough to have an awesome amenity center so I don’t belong to a gym. I feel I miss out on meeting people because of this, but I don’t see paying $$ for something I have for free. It’s hard to put yourself out there and meet new people. Maybe I need to reconsider paying for a gym membership. I could definitely use more healthy minded people in my life!
I was just thinking about how grateful I am for all the friends I have made at my gym!
I defintely agree that getting to classes early is helpful. I don’t have a pick up line per se, but I will smile & ask how someone’s week is going. Or sometimes I’ll notice someone using a great product in the locker room & I’ll ask about it.
Great post, those are wonderful tips!
I definitely think it’d be nice to get to know people at my gym. Having a workout buddy (or 2) would be good motivation on those days that it’s harder to drag yourself to the gym. We all have those days, right?
I REALLY want to pick-up a friend (new-ish to the area, don’t have workout buddies). I was just thinking about it the other day when I was running along on my treadmill…earbuds firmly in place, and a girl my age got on the one next to me, even though most of the equipment was available. But did I take off the headphones and say anything? No… So, yes. Your point about being aware of how I come off is VERY appropriate!
CrossFit affiliates are an excellent place to meet other healthy like-minded folks. Everyone is extremely down to earth and supportive. Coming from a non-athletic background, no one has ever made me feel bad about my capabilities or lack of knowledge. Many affiliates also do a lot of socials. Find an affiliate at the CrossFit main website: http://www.crossfit.com/cf-affiliates/
Great post! I’ve actually been thinking about this topic lately. I’m looking for a new gym because my current one is full of guys admiring their muscles in the mirror. My “favorite” is when a guy finishes doing crunches in front of the mirror, stands up, and then pulls his shirt up to admire his abs. So funny!!!
I really want to make some gym buddies! Unfortunately it’s slim pickin’s at 5am, ha.
Ah! Wish you were in the ‘burbs!
I like this idea a lot! I always wonder how to make friends outside of work and through other friends and these are really great tips. Thanks!!
Thanks for the tips everyone. It’s hard to make friends as an adult! I’m definitely going to try taking classes and perhaps yoga or cross fit too. Ive been looking at doing that anyway.
I’ve never picked up a friend at the gym! I go to the gym with friends, but have never made friends at the gym. I guess I’m a little shy! However, now that I train people at a gym, I’m very open and engaging to try to make everyone feel welcome and part of something:)
I work out at the gym in my condo building and I have met some really awesome people! I have also met some very obnoxious people…I totally agree that one needs to respect the earbud cues. My neighbors don’t quite have a handle on that concept just yet.
(sigh) it’d be great if I was able to work out in front of anyone I knew. Or join a gym. But these are great tips if I ever do
Wei-Wei
At my school gym, I always worked out at the same time, and so did these 2 guys who are probably twice my age. I thought that it was really weird for them to be at a college gym, but whatever. As the year went on, finally I met one of them outside the gym. It turns out, they work in the residential life office for my school(one was the dean), and they said that my long runs on the treadmill were inspiration to work out. Now I’m pretty good friends with them and even got invited to lunch at the faculty club once
so fun!!
I haven’t belonged to a gym in quite a while but I definitely made great friends with one of the female trainers who was my age. She held me accountable and helped push me through boot camps and training.
Nice tips. I just try to always be extra friendly when I am there. I don’t specifically chat people up besides the staff. I’ve heard so many times that people don’t want to go to the gym because they worry that people will judge them or they will look funny on the treadmill. So, I don’t say anything specifically, but I definitely think of positive comments for the other gym-goers around me and put those positive thoughts out into the gym-universe. I’m not sure if anyone picks up on it or not, but I’m shy so it’s all I got.
I absolutely try to find girls to “pick up” as friends in the gym!!! I actually came home a few weeks ago and proclaimed to my boyfriend – “I gave a girl my number.” hahahaha.
I have made a friend at the gym! We’ve fallen out of touch now, but we used to plan to workout together. The great thing about meeting a friend at the gym is that you already know you have something in common!
Unfortunately I don’t go to a gym, so no friends for me there but I am considering joining a local women’s running group!
HAHA love this! great tips. Would try, although I don’t go to a gym. No $$$$$! Workouts are done at home or on the road!
I haven’t picked up a friend at the gym but I did get asked out by a guy I met at the gym. Unfortunately he wasn’t my type and was 15 years older than me. He now dates my friend’s Mum. I’d like to make more friends in my area but I live in a small town and there aren’t many people around who are close to my age, and I never seem to meet girls at the gym!
This is kind of a humorus post, but at the same time totally how it happens!
great idea for a blog post. Sometimes it can be hard making girlfriends.
I think it’s important to try to get to the gym around the same time every day – it can help to see the same crowd which for me helps to break the ice easier. A friendly smile and a “Hey how are ya?” always worked for me! Perhaps I just went to really friendly gyms! And I agree with you – compliments are a great way to open up dialogue!
Ugh, I wish I had this problem. I haven’t joined a gym in my new town yet, but at my old gym I was always being approached by creepy old men. There’s a reason I’m listening to my iPod!
I don;t know why I get so nervous trying to approach people at the gym…! But I have used the line” love your ring! when are you getting married” and it actually led to a real life friendship. YAY for a successful pick up
I wish I could make friends at my gym! Nobody talks to eachother and everyone minds their own business. We don’t have classes either so its kind of hard to approach people who are working out! haha. These are great tips though!
gym membership is so expensive here…that’s why i prefer the park for a jog and or watch and follow workout videos
Great tips! I have actually never used a gym, but if I did, I would say these would be great ways to find people with some similar interests to you. It kind of holds true in some ways to blogging! Your sammich looks delicious! That is a favorite here too. Have a great day Caitlin!
At boot camp class, there is no time to chat! But we are all very encouraging to one another and I love that!
Oh, man! I am SO that person who is terrible at talking to people I don’t know.
It’s actually kind’ve terrifying.
These are all really great tips. I can’t think of any good friend I have made at the gym, but I have made some of my closest friends through fitness online and then they became real life friends when we realized we lived close. I’m open to making gym friends though!
Great post!! I feel like it’s so intimidating to approach people at the gym because I don’t want to interrupt anyone’s workout, but your tips aren’t invasive. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I have definitely made friends at the gym– even after I moved and now need to drive further to get there, I maintained my membership– mostly because of the people and class variety. I agree that classes are one of the greatest ways to hook up with friends at the gym. Often a good conversation starter is asking if they know the instructor, or if you have seen them there before, try to relate something funny that happened in class previously.
Oh, gym buddies would be great but I’m way too shy to talk to anyone there. Fear of rejection trumps my need for gym friends.
I am still working through my ‘gym fear’ but I think I am pretty unapproachable at the gym. I look really bad in the morning.
Great tips! A lot of my friends are from the gym, so it’s not only a great place to get a workout, but I also get to catch up with friends. I love new friends
I love these tips! I just moved, and could use more friends in my area. I did join a small neighborhood gym, but I see a few people around my age there…although I sweat more than any of them, so maybe they think I am gross….oops.
I think taking classes is the best way to meet people. When you take the same classes regularly, you start to become familiar with the other participants. And then the chatting just flows. Some of my gym buddies and I have even had post-workout coffee time at the nearest coffee shop. As a stay at home mom, with a deployed husband, the gym is pretty much my only source of adult conversation each day.
I did become friends with my first women with weights coach about 8 yrs ago and stayed in touch but my bestest most wonderful workout friends have come from the running programs at our local Fleet Feet. We have built up a great group of about girls and guys (most of us married and get along well as a Co-ed group) but we also just have girl fun, girl runs a d like to try other athletic adventures like yoga and mettlebelks together too.
These are great tips! I used to employ all of these until we moved into out current apartment. The rent is higher, but we have a great workout room, so I quit my gym membership and just use that. The only bummer is I’m usually the only one there and there are no group exercise classes anymore!
I like these tips a lot!
I always have trouble meeting new people, especially at the gym but I will definitely keep these ideas in mind!
Haha! I love this post. My husband and I actually met in the gym. He will probably tell you that I picked him up, but he is the one who started asking me questions first.
Being in culinary school, I worked out a lot to balance all of the rich food that I ate. Well one night, I was on the elliptical watching food network, Kevin was lifting next to me. He struck up a conversation about the show and how he lacked cooking skills and the rest is history. We dated for 4 years and have been married almost 3 now.
Awwww! a real pick up at the gym!
great tips! we dont have a local gym but once we move i’ll def be giving the gym a go, and these are some great tips for then! thanks x
Hehe I LOVE picking up friends at the gym!! I’m an instructor so I find that’s a good way to meet them.
I also totally agree on the earbuds thing – I usually do my cardio with them in but take them out for weights. I feel antisocial otherwise!
I actually met my (now) spouse at the gym. I really believe that a man who gets up at 5am and who can find me attractive at my aesthetic worst must be a keeper. He is!
One thing I have to say is that I find many women at the gym competitive, so this is a great post for breaking those barriers and bonding over common interest. Great post!
Good topic! During my journey to get healthy, I wanted to make friends who were healthy and liked fitness. I’m too intimidated to talk to strangers at a gym though…
Classes for sure will help you make friends. As an instructor, I have made amazing friends with my regular students. It is as simple as saying, hey I really want to see this movie, you want to join. Also, finding out their names, and then befriending them on facebook helps. I ask for soreness reports on chat the next day after a hard workout. I think gyms are really great places to meet friends/future spouses!
I’ve never enjoyed the atmosphere at a gym. The lost “gym” I went to was the little exercise room my apartment complex had. There wasn’t really anyone there in the mornings when I worked out, just the same one or two people with their ear buds in. The first time I will be a part of a real gym will probably be when and if I teach yoga there. But I definitely hope to make some gym buddies then. Until then, I work out at home on my yoga mat or with Jillian or Jackie.
Great tips! I haven’t made any friends at my gym yet but I’m almost always wearing earbuds! I have some friends who attend the same gym and always try to say hello, though!
I’m more of a “get in the gym, sweat, leave” kind of person these days but when I used to do a lot of the classes it was definitely easier to meet people.
I got the September issue of Glamour magazine in the mail yesterday, and was looking through it last night. Page 116 is a whole page on Operation beautiful! How fun, you should check it out. It’s the issue with Jennifer Lopez on the cover. So exciting!!!
The topic of making friends always reminds me of I Love You Man. great movie
. and these are great tips.
I am the worst potential gym friend! I go to the gym to work out and leave as quickly as possible with no chit-chatting. I blast my headphones and avoid eye contact most of the time. (Not in a rude way, but in a “I am just here to workout” way.) I just am pressed for time at the gym and don’t have a lot of time for socializing without compromising my workouts. I am sure I am missing out on some great gym buddies though… maybe one of these days.
I just emailed this link to my friend- because we met at our gym! lol. I’m glad we did, too- she’s one of my favorite girls to go have drinks with now!
My gym is weird, I don’t think I want to be friends with anyone that goes there, lol. Also, is that Jenna? She looks so young there, is that an old pic?
yup! the pic is from a year ago.
I’m definitely one who gets in and out and fast as possible. I always throw my throw my headphones on as soon as I can.
It’s not that I WANT to be stand-offish. I just want to get in and work out!
LOL definitely make friends with reception! They’ll help you out if you forget your card/misplace your locker key, etc. My “friendship” started with a Cubs hat! Now we talk baseball every time we cross paths.
I work as a Sales Advisor at a gym. I love it when members are nice and want to be my friend, rather than just yell at me and complain about stuff. It really really makes my day better!
This made me laugh. I don’t typically talk to people at the gym because I’m usually there to do my workout and leave. I do tend to talk to the people that work there though…especially if they teach a class that I like. But I’ve never been able to pick up a friend at the gym. Must be I’m not trying hard enough!
THANK YOU. I haven’t made many local friends yet, so I’ll be using these tips at the yoga studio!
I’d never considered the gym a place to meet new friends. I guess that’s because I’m always red-faced and sweaty while working out, which I’m pretty sure would put most people off!
I feel like it’s impossible to make friends at my gym! Maybe it’s a New England thing…
I think the easiest way to meet friends is by going to a class regularly. When I first moved here and joined the Y, I started going to spin class and became pretty good friends with my favorite spin instructor, as well as another girl in the class. It’s great! Great post, Caitlin!
I’ve been wanting to meet new “fitness” friends. I don’t belong to a gym though and I’m not sure that stopping somebody while out running would go over well.
These are great tips! I usually don’t take classes, but I should start!
Great tips! As someone who will be relocating in the near future for grad school, I’ll definitely be keeping these in mind!
Cute post! Love it! Very good advice
I’m one of those freaks who blasts music but STILL attracts people-so I always take out my ear buds and talk anyway! LOL!
I think I was breaking all those rules when I last attended a gym. Planning on going back so will keep these tips in mind!
People that work in the gym are probably the best people to make friends with. They are most likely slightly bored and will welcome friendly conversation. I can’t even begin to tell you how many friendships I have made with members of different gyms I’ve worked in.
hah! it looks like you picked up ME at the gym. And that’s totally okay.
About a year ago I went on a couple of dates with a guy I met at the gym. We actually never talked until we ran into each other at a bar one night. Unfortunately it never went anywhere. Fortunately he moved away
This is a great, encouraging post! I’ve recently moved and have been trying to make new friends… I regularly go to yoga and am starting to run into the same people again and again at classes. It’s definitely challenging me to be more out-going/talkative!
Aww what a great post! I seriously need some work-out buddies. I have a yoga girlfriend on wednesdays, but I gotta surround myself with more exercise people! I’m lucky that some of my friends are vegetarians too, we just don’t have the same schedule!
It’s more nerve wracking than trying to pick up a guy!
Now…do you have advice for picking up besides the gym?!
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Hah – your right about the people it involves…I work with Seniors…and way older people…in a small town – hard place to meet somebody for sure.
I must try grilling my bread – I rarely even toast it – takes too long hah – I just grab it from the bag and munch away
Super cute post
and great tips!
Great advice! I made friends at my gym through the classes I took. I always arrived a little early and chatted with other people. I also found that you could make more friends if you went to the gym at busy times. If you go to the gym at random times, it’s harder to meet a lot of people.
you’re too funny! i totally agree with the class tip though… i’ve talked to so many people before and after classes!
What a snob I am! When we used to belong to a gym, I would go and just want to get my workout done, talking just caused delays. But then… I went with my best bud = my husband. Come to think of it, there WAS a time when I talked to other people because the gym is WHERE I MET MY HUBBY.
I love the gym pick up tips! I am always wishing I had a workout partner! Definitely trying this!
Haha I actually used that technique to talk to a guy on the street. He was wearing Vibrams, so that was my in!
When I first moved to NC I worked at the YMCA and subsequently, all my good friends are friends I met at the gym, either working out or working. I agree, the gym is a great place to meet like-minded friends. And your suggestion about becoming friendly with the staff is probably the best one on there. They can introduce you to others that are like you or interested in the same things you are.
Those banana sandwiches get me every time! Yummm. And I love this topic! I usually totally zone out at the gym and put my “don’t talk to me” face on. It would be nice to meet new, active people, but my gym time is my alone time and I really don’t like to be social! Maybe I’m missing out though…I’ll try to be a little more approachable next time
The banana sandwich looks really good, nice and comforting.
Love this topic! I’m going to keep some of these tips in mind. I would love to find some gym friends to take classes with!
I probably need to keep some of these in mind! I would love more friends with similar interests, but it’s hard to meet them!
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[...] Tipping Point has some great tips for how to pick up friends at the gym. My favorite ideas from the article are paying attention to ear buds (if someone is listening to [...]