I feel I've progressed quite a bit in the past year and leveled up to intermediate. I'd like to begin giving back, or at the very least, start discussions so here goes!

Now to be fair, I do have a serious girlfriend, but I still like to make friends and if things dont work out, its a good thing I havnt been idle for 4 months.

Storytime! I just got back from the gym, had a great chest day. I noticed a cute girl working around, and she would regularly stop by her two friends in between sets. Shes very much my type. Athletic, dark features on olive skin and naturally flirty. Its not the first time Ive seen them. I never talked with them. Her friends are also objectively attractive but not my type.

After about 20 minutes I notice a guy about my age (19) approach. It was far away but I tried to check her body language compared to his. Then when his friend came up. It seemed standard small talk from the way they were standing. She stayed within the squat rack while they nearly cornered her and soon left.

Then I went to the ab machines at the back. Thier group came over soon after and began using the machines right next to me. I stayed to myself. Made eye contact whenever she would look my way and subtley checked her out. Id check my phone between sets while listening to music. I didnt start a conversation and heres why: because Ive seen her before and will likely see her again. Wait for a good open.

She left somewhere and I went to the very back to the mats. She was there already working. I do my ab routine. My phone is dying so I take out my earphones. Easier to hear anyway. Her friends come. Still, I remain focused on my workout.

In 10 minutes I see another pair approach. Mind you, this girl looks to be 18 or 19 and one of the guys looks 35 and the other I know is 23 ish. His name is A and he is generally better looking and more muscular than I. But he failed from the start.

They walk up, cant remember if she was in-set, and the conversation goes something like

"Hi, Im A, whats your name?"

"M."

"You doin legs?"

"Yep. Just some uhm... Glute thrusts."

"Nice. Good. Good. Thrusts."

"Im sorry, Im in a rush I gotta get home soon."

"Yeah sure no problem nice to meet you!"

Soon as they left, the two started talking to themselves. "OMG. Can I just fucking workout? Like... " They're laughing but dont let this make you think they dont want to get approached AT ALL. No doubt they like the validation, just as if you were approached, but it doesnt do anything for them. These arnt alphas.

Now I was paying attention to what they were doing. "M" was doing glute thrusts horribly. What a newb. A small dumbell on her tiny pelvis, with her back on a jump box. Im resting. She tells her friend "This kinda hurts. Its like digging into my skin and bone."

Now there I can be of help. Thats my IN. She stops. I say

"Excuse me (to get her attention), but I was doing glute thrusts yesterday, and Im sure you would have a better time if you did it with the barbells down there. The long ones. They dont dig in because the weight is spread out."

Voice is clear and direct. Using hands while talking is also a plus.

She took the information with strong interest because I was offering HELP (trivia for newbs: who offers help to others in any context?). I made a common goal: fix her workout (dont do this all the time). She acts confused about what I mean but I insist about the barbells down by the squat racks and using a flat bench.

She gets up and comes pretty close to me "Can you show me?"

"What?"

"How to do it?"

"Sure" We walk.

"Sorry for messing up your ab workout."

"I can come back. Whats your name?"

"M. And yours?" She wipes her hand on her thigh before giving it. "Sorry, Im all sweaty!"

"N. And hey everything in here is covered in sweat!"

She messes up my name because its a unique name. Then laughingly takes out her remaining earbud. I clarify and jokingly say "Show some respect!"

She laughs it off and I lead her to the bench. I show her how to do it, focusing on form and the common goal. "Basically you use your back, not your arms and thrust up as if your humping the air." She takes it and begins doing the glute thrusts. My body language is very relaxed but strong (chest day does wonders:). As shes doing it she makes eye contact and asks

"Does this look good? ;)" I actually missed it for a sec because I was focused on the clear goal: her workout, not getting with her. Thats too broad.

"Yeah that looks good." I was still holding eye contact, then (legit) checking her ass for technique FORM. Then I realized how fucking sly this girl was and break a cute smile and look away. She giggled. She knew. She planned it. She says thanks. I grab my stuff and go back to the mats.

Now this wouldve been an okay time to grab snapchats, but Ive seen her before and I know Ill bump into her again. If there was little chance of seeing her again, like if it was in a supermarket, then yes I would take it. But I let it simmer. The common goal was complete. She came back to talk to her friends and left without another word to me. I figured shes single from thier conversation. Just good to know stuff.

Mind you, Im not trying to sleep with her while I have a gf. Its just good practice and could lead to something should I be in a different position.

Tldr: Cute girl at gym gets hit on by at least 4 dudes. I keep to myself even when I am near. When I notice I can help her form, it creates a common goal and gives a natural excuse to talk. The other dudes painted with too broad a brush: get to know her or get her number or something that shes been through a hundred times. Get specific. Be useful. Be patient. Timing and social awareness is quite important. I help her workout and she responds very positively right after complaining that guys hit on her to the point she cant get anything done.

Okay. Sorry for wall of text. Tips? Critique? Have I helped anyone understand something?