Picking up a lady at the gym is quite the conundrum. On one hand, she’s probably not looking to meet anybody while she’s sweating profusely and jamming out to Lady Gaga. On the other hand, her sculpted booty and perfectly toned abs are calling to you like a siren song. If you decide to muster up the courage to talk to that hot piece of spandexed ass, here are some tips to ensure you don’t completely blow your chances.

1. Pick the right gym

If it has a “Silver Sneakers” program or is one giant sausage fest, your chances of picking up a girl are slim to none. Keeping to the big gyms or any gym near a college will make it far likelier that you’ll find a sexy little lady in a sports bra on an elliptical. Plant yourself on a machine next to her to make your approach easier.

2. Wear the right attire

Dos: No-show socks, a semi-clean shirt, normal length shorts. Don’ts: headbands, that tank top that you made out of a t-shirt back in high school, jean shorts. Seriously, this is key. Even at the gym, women are judging your choice of clothing. In this case, though, it’s not the style factor, it’s the practicality. Use your common sense.

3. Pick the right girl

The aforementioned lady (sculpted booty, toned abs) in the über tight spandex is obviously your ideal target, but let’s be honest, she’s probably been hit on by a dozen other dudes in the last 15 minutes. Find a more modest lady in looser clothes. She’s probably less stuck up and cooler anyway.

4. Decide your approach

Do not. I repeat, do NOT approach a girl while she’s on a cardio or weight machine. This is a definite don’t, because no woman wants to be hit on while she can barely breathe and has beads of sweat between her boobs. Plus, the deafeningly loud Beyonce tunes inspiring her over her headphones are the ultimate firewall against your flirtation. Leave the flirting for while she’s getting a drink of water or taking a break.

5. Don’t be a creep

I cannot stress this enough. No matter how sweet or complimentary you might think it sounds, complimenting any feature about her from the neck down is going to sound creepy at the gym. If you say she’s got great biceps, she will wonder how long you watched her doing curls from across the room. Save yourself the embarrassment, compliment her eyes, and leave. The next time you see her (which will conveniently be at the same exact time the next day), THEN you can ask her to grab coffee or a smoothie afterwards*.

*No protein shake jokes allowed.