A quarter of Brits want to be asked out at the gym.

Brits like being asked out in the gym

Brits like being asked out in the gym

According to new research by YouGov, commissioned by Freya Active - who specialise in creating stylish activewear, including range Total Eclipse, which is available in a new colourway - 24 per cent of Britons would love to be picked up in exercise centres, and four per cent admitted they go to a gym purely to find love rather than fight the flab.

Nearly half of us (45 per cent) think it's acceptable to ask someone out at the gym, but popping the date question on the treadmill could see someone's chances slip away, unlike their pounds.

Professional coaching company Debrett's - which has teamed up with Freya to produce a Sweatiquette five-point guide to dos and don'ts in the gym - said: ''Attempts to make meaningful eye contact across a crowded gym floor can be misconstrued, so keep your gaze to yourself. Watching someone else's workout will only make them feel uncomfortable.

''If you do want to approach someone, choose your moment wisely. Initiating friendly conversation at the water fountain is likely to reap more rewards than breathlessly yelling your chat-up line over the noise of neighbouring treadmills.''

As well as advising gym goers to keep their checking out in-check, Debrett's five-point Sweatiquette includes advising fitness fanatics to keep it clean by bringing a towel, conversing with caution - because not everyone wants to make a new pal in the gym - and try to refrain from waiting pointedly beside someone who is using the equipment.

What's more, Debrett's also advises gym attendees to be aware of catching an innocent weight lifter or treadmill user in the background of your fitness photos.

Freya's new Total Eclipse activewear is available at the Freya Lingerie website and Figleaves.