One of the girls I'm seeing right now, I met in the gym.
I've gone there for about 2 months now, and I have plenty of friends(some who already went there before), alot of people that I say Hi to and have acouple words with when I get in, and a bunch of girls that I'm friendly and on chatting terms with. It's more of an opportunistic approach, not actively going out creating social situations.
However...
I don't go to the gym to approach, or meet people. I go there to lift. period. There's a world of difference between somebody who is there never talks to anybody, and somebody who goes there to lift yet will talk to somebody if they cross paths. I'm not afraid of talking to anybody in the gym(hbs, instructors, the "big" guys, etc) yet I don't go out and actively engage them in convo. Just be cool in the gym man. Go in there, do your lifting/cardio, and get out. The only modification is, don't be afraid to engage in convo if you want to. When I ask to "work in" with somebody on the squat rack or something, I usually end up talking to the guy. If there's a girl using the ABdominator crunch thingy for like 500 sets, then I'll go up and ask her if she ate too much that afternoon, and how many more sets she had. Put a smile on your face, and be genuine. If you go there to "get some azz", chicks being the great body language detectors that they are, will sense it and "close up shop." If you go there and are focused on what you're doing instead of the girls, then conversation comes much easier, and girls can sense that you're not "out to get with them".
I've met plenty of people in the gym, and if somebody were to look at me offhand, they'd see me as anti-social(i wear ipod when doing cardio). After afew weeks though, everybody knows I'm a confident guy because not only am I there to lift(disinterested in puzzy, ie. not desperate), but if I feel like talking to somebody who I cross paths with, I will(social, confident, conclusion is that I'm likely in a LTR, because I CAN engage in good conversation, but don't feel like it).
I think I will write something on gym pick-ups too, and how simple pea-****ing(wearing some nice lifting threads), plus cool demeanor(not going overboard, like SamePendo, in talking to people.), plus being friendly and social, works like magic.
Also, if you go there to lift, and end up getting big instead of staying small like somebody who goes there for their social fix, the muscles certaintly help in any situation.
When I use the treadmill now, I don't know whether its just happenstance, or me being so bloody attractive, but EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I use the treadmills, pretty girls start using the ones beside and behind me, or infront of me(my personal favorite. They know that you are going to be staring at their azz for the whole time, its actually an IOI when they do this.).
Why, might you ask, do they do this? Simple. They could find me attractive at best, or at worst, they are comfortable around me, because they know that I'm not going to start talking to them with any "hidden motives", but if a situation comes up, I will be social. Therefore, by being as close to me as possible, they're trying to increase their chances for one of those "situations". No, I'm not a 10/10 in looks, no I'm not a 10/10 in personality...But I act like it.
There are many many many many shy guys in the gym who even when the opportunity falls into their lap to talk to somebody, they opt not to, out of fear most likely. There are also those select few who use the "puzzy weights", and gaze around the room longingly at people, clearly going there for their social fix, who still end up talking to few or nobody, because they are socially CHALLENGING. I on the otherhand, am socially DISARMING.
Act like you're disinterested, but if the opportunity comes in your training routine where talking to them is a clear option, then go for it and be friendly.
They will wonder why you don't act so social, even when you can, and this will get them wondering "what kind of a life does he have?" , "he must be a fun guy, but he's so mysterious".
Lastly. Everybody is the same. You "notice" things happening in the gym, interactions between people, etc. And think that you are the only one. Well let me tell you, every time you approach a girl, other girls notice. This solidifies in their mind that you are
1) Single. this is bad by the way.
2) Desperate. talking to everybody is a no-no. it means you have no personal standards, and aren't selective, and don't qualify people.ie. not dominant.
3) Socially challenging. this is bad as well. When you finally approach the girl who's been watching you approaching the other girls, your chances just went down the toilet. In her head, she's thinking "Oh, so I'm just another piece of ass to him, and thats why he's talking to me??".
Basically, don't go Actively seeking girls in the gym. Talk to girls and guys both. Don't be proactive in your socializing, or you'll come off as desperate and unattractive/non-mysterious. Go about your lifting business, and when one of those moments comes where you could either be social, or be shy...Be social.
DON'T GO TO THE GYM FOR PUZZY, AND IT WILL FALL INTO YOUR LAP.