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Sweating with a Crush: How to be Cute & Charming at the Gym

I’m a huge proponent of meeting people via activities on campus, like in an intramural sports league, a dance class, or while you are getting elliptical at the recreation center. But I can see where some us might be a bit concerned about getting to know someone who makes your heart go twitter-patter while you are busy huffing and puffing on the treadmill or keeping your nose intact during a rowdy game of Dodgeball.

Fear not, for what follows is your very own how-to report on working out with your crush and managing to keep them interested in you despite the sweat stains on your back or your ineptitude at doing the twist.

Let your education in being cute and charming while you work-out begin!

For starters, don’t let the fact that you are about to get physical keep you from putting an ounce of effort into your overall look. I’m certainly not suggesting that you wear your best Puma sweatsuit or your Saturday night sparkly eye-shadow to the gym (because frankly, that is unrealistic and ridiculous), but take a little bit of pride in attempting to appear as though you didn’t try too hard to look naturally good. Show off a bit of your style by wearing funky arm warmers or a retro sweat band, or keep it simple and just look classically fitness-adorable in a body suit. Just kidding! A pair of black sweatpants and a white, sweat resistant T-shirt looks good on both the men and the ladies, comes in a variety of cuts for all body shapes, and allows you free range of motion.

Speaking of motion, allow yourself to move! It is tempting to get all Statue of Liberty on the volleyball court (one arm in the air and motionless) when your crush is around, so you look like you are playing without actually joining in the game. This is a tragic way to look socially awkward instead of like the fun loving person we know you to be.  Take a chill pill and play your sport for the very reason you joined in the first place–for the joy of the game. If you aren’t the Michael Phelps of your swim club, take it in stride and just do your best; if you are the Venus Williams of tennis, knock that fuzzy ball around like you’re the queen of the court–the very humble queen, anyway.

Which reminds me, when it comes to holding a superior ranking in your given activity, be it Zumba or lacrosse, showing off tends not to bode well. Being good and rubbing it in everyone else’s face are two different tactics to getting attention. Don’t be afraid to show off your skills on the trampoline during class, but offering to help others (especially the very special someone who is making you fizz inside) and genuinely demonstrating sharing your love of what you do gives your crush a reason to chat with you. If you throw a strike on every turn in bowling and jump up and down squealing, “Did you see that? That was me!” and do splits, no one is going to want to talk to you no matter how how nice you look in your bowling shoes.

Don’t worry about the sweat. You’re both going to be doing it. If you like each other, you’ll survive. Trust me. If you cannot sweat in front of each other, it wasn’t meant to be. If you are worried about potential excessive sweating, wear dark colors, lots of deodorant, and take it a little easy on the basketball court. But seriously, your crush will be sweating too and they’ll feel more at ease if you lather up a bit of glow!

If you get one-on-one time, be yourself! Remember how the Genie tells Aladdin to “bee” himself and confess to Princess Jasmine that he’s not really a prince? This is the exact same advice, just without any fancy magic carpet ride song and dance number. Whether you are taking a jog, a bike ride, or getting silly with table tennis or the Wii Fit, use your exercise as a jumping off point for talking about the fabulous person next to you! If you are just running because it was an excuse to hang out, do not pretend to be the best runner this side of the Mississippi; it’s okay to mention that you’re a bit out of shape.

Has anyone had any successful or unsuccessful crush moments while exercising? I’m ever so curious…