familiar. Certainly that’s the scene at my high-end gym.
Come 9am, with their Lululemon gymwear swapped for
casual workwear, professionals are sinking into squishy
chairs,tappingawayontheirlaptopswhiletheirprotein
shakes and scrambled eggs are delivered to their tables.Physical attraction
Whetherit’sforbusiness(sweatworking,asit’sbecoming
known)orsocialising,gymsareuniqueinthewaythey
primeyouforinteraction.Forstarters,youknowyouhave
atleastonethingincommon.“Weallwanttomeetlike-
minded people,” says Ian Mahoney, chair of a gym chain.
“Ibelievepeople’sreasonsforworkingouthavechanged
overthepast10years.Itsoundscheesy,butIthinkpeople
arebondedbytheirgoaltobehealthier.”
I’ve never struggled with talking to strangers, but if you
everfeelintimidatedbygymcliques,knowthatbiology
is on your side. Despite the sweaty hairline and gurning
deadliftface,exerciseelevatesustooursocialbest.Itnot
only improves our mood, but research in theJournal of
Sports Science and Medicinefounditalsomakesusmore
emotionallyintelligent–handywhenyou’retryingto
strikeupafriendship(orevenarelationship)mid-squat.
Itputsusnaturallyintheplacewetrytogettoviathree
glassesofpinot.IthinkinthisdisconnectedSnapchat
era,we’realllookingforconnectionsthatfeelreal.And
if someone can take me sweat-ridden and stripped of
make-up,thenallthebetter.It’sgoodfortheselfesteem
to know that you’re likeable, sober.
Besides,atthegymIdon’thavetoguardagainstfit-
shamersinthepubwhojudgemeforstickingtosoda
water because I don’t want to be dehydrated for my
morning-afterworkout.I’mjustmorecomfortablewith
myself wearing my favourite lycra uniform, just being me.
So, yeah, if you want me, I’ll see you at the barre.WHArtgym,
Tasmania
Meet your new
matesinthis
sleek little gym
that prides itself
on diversity and
being inclusive.
You’ll be working
out alongside
young, old, fit
and unfit people
at beginner’s
hip hop, boxing
and kettlebell
classes.
(artgym.com.au)Core Candy, Melbourne
Expecttosweatintheintimatebarre,HIITand
pilates classes brought to you in two light-filled
state-of-the-art studios.(corecandy.com.au)Flow Athletic, Sydney
Knownforitsamazingsenseofcommunity,
1xstrength;1xcardio;and1xyogaapproach,
plusthefamousFlowAfterDarksilentyogadisco
wherelivebeatsarepumpedtoyouviaglow-in-
the-dark headphones.(flowathletic.com.au)HEALTHY
HANGOUTS
Take you and your neon-print leggings
to some of Australia’s cool-kid hotspotsTHEN NOW
CLUBBING
DJ
HOUSE/TECHNO
SEVEN-HOUR DANCEATHONS
DROPPING THE BEAT WITH A WHISTLE
STROBE LIGHTS
SYNTHETIC EUPHORIA
SWEATY HAIR, FLUSHED FACE
RPM CLASS
SPIN INSTRUCTOR
FLO RIDA
CYCLINGNOWHEREFOR60MINUTES
DROPPING THE BEAT WITH A HILL CLIMB
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTS
NATURAL ENDORPHINS
SAME
FRIDAY
NIGHTS:
THE CLUB
VSTHE SPIN
ROOM
58 womenshealth.com.au DECEMBER 2016ADDITIONAL WORDS: TARA ALI. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; @WELLNESS_ED; SYLVIA LAWRENCE PHOTOGRAPHYBest Bodyfitness