8 things guys do in gyms that are a total turn-off

Thought your gym behaviour was certain to attract the right kind of female attention? Think again.

According to fitness and lifestyle expert Rebecca Fredericks, men of all types fall into the same trap of displaying stereotypical "alpha" behaviour when they hit the gym - and they all only serve to detract from a man's allure.

Fredericks pulls no punches in the following list of mistakes men commonly make:

1. GRUNTING

Ahh the loud, testosterone-fuelled, macho-gym grunt. We girls absolutely love it. It draws attention, gives us an excuse to look at you even more than we are already, and shows us just how manly you really are.

Or not. For most women, the ostentatious man grunt is one of the most annoying things men do in gyms. It's annoying, distracting, and largely unnecessary. Breathe, by all means - we understand that. Using your breath to help you lift is a highly effective tool. But don't grunt, moan, or generally let any kind of loud noise out of your mouth.

2. RANDOM SHADOW BOXING

Straight straight. Upper cut upper cut. We've all seen The Fighter. We've probably all been to a boxing class or two. So, safe to say, we know the drill. But you're not at a boxing class now. Practising your moves in front of the mirror in the weights section just looks a bit ... naff. More knock-back than knockout.

3. MIRROR POSING

You know that thing where you lift your top a little to show your six-pack to "yourself" in the gym mirror? Or that adorable bicep or tricep tense that you perform just to see how much your muscles have developed? Well, don't fool yourself: we know what you're doing. And it's kind of sad.

We're not being mean here. You train hard, you're at the gym doing your thing, and you probably do have a mighty fine body. But - and here's the key bit - you don't need to act like a peacock for us to notice it. We have eyes and a sex drive. If we think you look good, we will probably check you out on the sly. Pulling silly poses in front of the mirror will only ruin any allure you may have.

4. TAKING UP TOO MUCH SPACE

Weight areas are generally a little squashed. Benches, barbells, dumb bells, cable machines et cetera et cetera. Mix all that together with about 20 people and you've got yourself a hot, cramped, and sweaty mess. And we all know girls just love a hot, cramped, sticky and sweaty mess to work out in.

So, when you don't bother to put your weights back, leave your towel, your phone, your keys, your wallet, some used sweat tissue and a barbell lying in a lovely circle with a radius of 2m around you, it doesn't go down too well with us.

5. DROPPING WEIGHTS

This fabulous habit generally goes hand-in-hand with the loud grunting, and it's no less annoying. It makes one hell of a clatter - but more to the point it's also pretty dangerous.

There have been many times when I've had to launch myself out of the way of a stray, flying dumbbell, much to the amusement of the men around me. Hah Hah. Put the weights down on the floor safely and save yourself a potential law suit.

6. TRYING TO 'LOOK STRONG'

Funnily enough, some of us actually know what we're doing in the gym, or are even personal trainers ourselves. When we see a man contorting his entire body trying to lift, pull or push a weight that is just too heavy for him, it's not sexy, cool, manly or tough - it's just a bit pathetic. It makes you look weaker than you probably are, and just a little bit silly.

7. SEXIST COMMENTS

Yes, this does happen; no, it's not nice. Just because we may be wearing tight clothing that strains rather as we squat, deadlift and lunge, you do not have free licence to comment upon it. You may see this as gym-style flirting, but we see it as rudeness. Stop.

8. UNREQUESTED ADVICE

This is one of my favourites. I go to the gym, on my own, a lot. I weight train every day and I'm a qualified personal trainer so I do know what I'm doing. But this does not stop men, almost daily, coming up and trying to correct my form or suggesting other exercises I "should" do to "really work that muscle".

Guys, I beg you, unless the lady in question is doing something that may cause her an injury (think squatting or deadlifting incorrectly), or specifically asks your advice, leave her alone. - The Telegraph