Steph Claire Smith on why men shouldn’t try to pick up women at the gym

Gym flirting etiquette is a hot topic right now, and some women say it’s never appropriate to chat with someone while working out.

Fitness influencer Steph Claire Smith joined the discussion, saying she understands why many women don’t like being hit while exercising.

she said KIIS FM Will and Woody For many busy women, going to the gym is precious “me time” and they don’t want to be interrupted.

The 28-year-old added that for many people, attending a fitness center is as much about mental health as it is about physical health and fitness.

“They don’t pick up,” she says, before admitting that some women “put themselves out there” and actively seek male attention.

Steph said men should “read the room” first before starting a conversation with a woman at the gym, but personally she “doesn’t get it.”

“I don’t go to places that want to check out or anything like that,” she said.

“It’s my time to set up my corner, put on my headphones, and complete my workout.”

Steph recalled her own experience of a man jogging to catch up with her as she strode for the last kilometer.

He tapped her on the shoulder and said a corny pick-me-up line.

I actually said to him, “Are you kidding?” I put my headphones back on and kept running,” she said.

Steph advised the man to stop flirting and focus on his own training.

This follows a TikTok trend of women calling for harassment at the gym.

Women are using the hashtag #GymCreep to highlight the unwanted attention they receive during their workouts, and videos of their awkward encounters have 100 million views.

However, the movement has met with backlash, with women accused of staging the footage and openly denounced men for not trying to flirt with women.