You love that feeling: both of you drenched in sweat, short of breath, flushed, and spent from exertion. But now you have to think of something to say. It should be natural: The gym seems an ideal spot to find someone to share a smoothie with, considering all the exposed flesh and sexual posturing (she's on the thigh adductor again!), plus a common interest in fitness. And it's not just a guy thing; there's a good chance she has mentally slipped off your CoolMax shorts. "A woman's estrogen level rises and sexual fantasies increase during a strenuous workout," says Robert S. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of psychiatric medicine at the University of Virginia school of medicine. "That, in conjunction with enhanced cheerfulness and arousal, along with lowered hostility, anger, and stress during exercise, makes some women more approachable." Key word: "some." Keep reading to find out what works and what doesn't. How do we know? We asked!
As a personal trainer at Bally Total Fitness in New York City, Nikki Kimbrough has seen plenty of guys shot down. A guar- anteed loser move: interrupting a woman's workout. "That can be insulting because she's there to work out, not necessarily to get hit on." Try these tips to further elevate her heart rate:
WHEN:
"Wait until I get off the treadmill. Like I'm going to puff and yell to talk, then trip and fall on my face?" --Angela, 25, artist
"To work out, I usually wear an old college tee or one I think is funny, so I like when a guy asks about my shirt. It's a conversation starter." --Maria, 36, editor
"Find a non-intrusive way to approach me. I'd be impressed by a guy who offered to fill my water bottle." --Sara, 27, caterer
HOW:
"I feel totally flattered if he asks me to spot him. It means he doesn't see me as some dainty weakling." --Alice, 28, teacher
"Instead of being all superior and telling me what I'm doing wrong on a machine, nicely ask if I want a better way to work that muscle, so I don't feel like a big loser." --Jenny, 26, copywriter
WARNINGS
"If she's wearing headphones, staring intently at Tucker Carlson on CNN, or focused on a magazine, not even a shirtless Tiki Barber could get her attention." --Nikki Kimbrough
"Sorry, I don't want to talk to you if you're dripping sweat. Wipe yourself off before trying to pick me up." --Ana, 27, waitress
"If I've just heard you grunting in the weight room like a walrus, there's no way I'll talk to you." --Nina, 24, florist
