The Gym: New Meet Market?

Our dating blogger learns a valuable lesson at the gym.

By Liza Persky

When you are single you become acutely aware of the places you may meet men. We've all heard the stories where love is found in supermarkets, sports bars, dinner parties, museums and the park. I've tried them all. But there's one place that EVERYONE loves to tell you is a great singles scene and meeting someone is a sure thing. The Gym.

I have been going to the same gym for 15 years. I go faithfully five to six days a week, and yes, there are many healthy robust men there. Here's the thing: I look like crap at the gym. I really do. I'm not trying to be funny. My hair is up in a pony tail and always frizzy, sweating makes my skin blotchy, all of my workout clothes, while comfy, are stretched out and baggy, and, I'm pretty sure I smell. I'm surprised they let me in at this point.

But, recently, the strangest thing happened. There's a trainer who I've noticed over the last few months, but I've never spoken to. The other day as I was leaving I walked past him and he said, "I love your hair." Now, what I should have said was, "Thank you. That's so sweet." But what did I say? "Oh my god, really? It's so frizzy and dry, needs to be cut and looks so bad after I work out." Yeah, that's my usual approach. Pretty sexy, huh? He kind of smiled and I was on my way....to IMMEDIATELY LOOK IN A MIRROR. Sadly, I was right.

The next day I went in and we smiled at each other and while I was doing sit ups he came over to talk to me. I can't explain how awkward it is to have a conversation with a sexy stranger for the first time while you're lying on your back. He asked me my name and we chatted about...I have no idea what we chatted about, but I know I was sweating harder than a prizefighter. I got up and he hugged me goodbye. He held me tighter than Kate Winslet held Leonardo Dicaprio while he was going down for the count in "Titanic."

The next day he came over again and we started chatting. He told me his name is Angel, he's 26 years old, from Ecuador, loves NASCAR and was in the Marines. So, we have a bunch in common. I really wasn't sure what to talk to him about so I started asking him questions about the ONE thing we DO have in common. The Gym.

I was talking about running and how many miles is enough, and I was so nervous I literally think I said the words, "Feel the burn." I was about to ask him about my sore calf muscle, when I realized I hadn't shaved my legs. Talk about avoiding a landmine. He hugged me goodbye, and he told me that he thought I was adorable and would like to take me out sometime. I was literally looking around the room for Ashton Kutcher and the crew from "PUNK'D."

I called my friend Andy to tell him the story and he said, "Isn't that nice, and something for you to realize honey. He liked you for YOU! The real you. Without the make up, perfect hair, and cute clothes. There's a real lesson in this."

I agreed, hung up the phone, and IMMEDIATELY went out to buy new workout clothes, waterproof mascara and some anti-frizz cement for my hair. Lessons are fine, but only if you look good. Now I find myself waking up 20 minutes early to put my make-up-that-doesn't-look-like-I'm-wearing-make-up on, apply my de-frizz and squeeze myself into workout tights that would be too small for Kelly Ripa. I'm a wreck.