What to Say When He Sends You Gym Pics (And What They Mean)

The gym pic is a classic guy maneuver. It’s his way of showing off his body and catching your interest while proving he’s motivated and hard-working. It usually means he’s flirting, and depending on your response, this could be your chance to make a move. We talked to dating and relationship coaches and matchmakers to help you respond, whether you want to be flirty, friendly, or tell him you’re not interested. We’ll also tell you what to avoid, and talk more about what receiving a gym pic really means.

Replying to a Gym Photo

Give a flirty reply by complimenting his body respectfully, like, “I’ve always loved huge arms,” or, “I didn’t realize you’re so fit!” Or, keep it platonic by complimenting his gym progress, like, “I can tell your hard work is paying off,” or, “Putting in the work, I see!” Stay friendly, positive, and honest.

Section 1 of 7:

Flirty Ways to Respond to a Gym Pic

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Admire his body (respectfully). Usually, we’d tell you to stay away from compliments about someone’s body, but this is an exception. If he sent you a photo showing off the goods, then he wants to be admired! Still, there’s a way to stay respectful while still being flirty. Focus on the part of his body he’s showing off, and don’t say anything overtly sexual. “Come in with a flirtatious light, playful vibe,” says dating coach John Keegan.^{[1]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} For example:
- “Woah, those arms are looking huge! I bet you could pick me up no problem.”
- “I’m a sucker for a good set of abs.”
- “Look at those LEGS! You’ll have to show them off to me in person sometime.”
- “I love a man with strong shoulders.”
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Make a flirty joke about the picture itself. If he’s sending you a gym pic, chances are he’s trying to send a message. After all, he’s not posing in the mirror looking all sweaty just to say hi. If you don’t want to compliment his body, you can poke some light fun at the fact he’s sending you a gym pic in the first place. Just be careful not to make it mean or insulting.
- “Do you send sweaty, half-dressed photos of yourself to everyone, or am I just that lucky?”
- “Mind if I save this one to my phone?”
- “Wait wait, send me another with a better view of your back.”
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Drop a spicy emoji for a simple reaction. “You want to seem interested,” dating and relationship coach Julianne Cantarella says, but you don’t want to seem too interested or available.^{[2]
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Julianne Cantarella
Dating & Relationship Coach

Expert Interview} Sometimes a quick and flirty emoji gets the job and tells him you’re picking up on his signals without being too risque or overly sexual. Choosing the right emoji is key, though, since you want one that’s flirty and not too vague or plain. Try these:
- 🥵 tells him you think he’s totally hot.
- 😏 gives a cheeky, sly vibe, like you both know where this is going.
- 😍 is more playful and fun, while still letting him know you’re into it.
- 🥺 is like a begging puppy dog, and lets him know you want more.
- 😈 implies you’re thinking some spicy thoughts, without actually saying it.
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Reply with your own gym pic to fire up some friendly competition. If you’re also a fitness enthusiast, and if you’re trying to flirt back, why not return the favor? Send him a photo of you posing with your guns out, or showing off your gains (or losses!) for the mirror. This tells him you’re all-in, and while you’re at it, you could throw in some playful jabs or a challenge to get the banter going.^{[3]
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David Chambers
Dating and Relationship Coach

Expert Interview}
- “Maybe you can give me some pointers next time we’re at the gym.”
- “Yeah, your arms are huge, but can you beat these legs?”
- “Bet I can beat you in cardio. Let’s see who sweats more.”
- “Wanna be my spotter?”

Section 2 of 7:

Platonic Ways to Respond to a Gym Pic

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Compliment his lifestyle. Keegan tells us that commenting on his lifestyle is a safe bet.^{[4]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} It’s positive and friendly, but doesn’t give him the wrong idea about the situation. That said, it’s key to stay away from comments about his body. Focus on complimenting the fact that he works out and works hard, not the way he looks.
- “It’s cool that you hit the gym so much. You’re so motivated!”
- “The hard work is paying off!”
- “I always admire people who have the motivation to get up and work out.”
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Ask him about his workout routine, or tell him about yours. Keegan recommends striking up a conversation with a question.^{[5]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} That way, you’re acting friendly and open without actually flirting, which is a great option if you want to stay on good terms and keep talking without diving into romance or mixed signals.
- “What’s your arm day like? I’ve been looking for a good routine.”
- “I like to focus on legs when I’m working out!”
- “How do you find the motivation to get up and stay active? I could use some pointers.”
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Use a fun but plain emoji to appreciate him without flirting. When you’re not sure what to say, or you’re worried about sending the wrong message, a good emoji will never do you wrong. The key is keeping it casual and plain, and avoiding the spicier, flirty emojis. Try these:
- 💪 is a generic, easy option that acknowledges the gym pic, but nothing more.
- 👍 is encouraging, but not too encouraging.
- 😤 suggests pride or satisfaction, like, “I know that’s right!”
- 😯 makes you look impressed without looking attracted.

Section 3 of 7:

Letting Him Know You’re Not Interested

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Change the subject to show him you’re unimpressed. Keegan reminds us that asking questions and staying interested is how you keep a conversation going.^{[6]
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John Keegan
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} So if you want to shut down the conversation, steer it away from the gym or his body. You can still acknowledge the pic, but keep it brief and stiff before you pivot away.
- “Nice. Btw, do you remember the homework assignment for tomorrow?”
- “Looking good. Do you think I should get a burrito or teriyaki chicken for dinner? I just can’t decide.”
- “Progress! That reminds me, I gotta cancel my gym membership.”
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Tell him outright if his gym pics make you uncomfortable. “Honesty is the best policy,” Cantarella tells us.^{[7]
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Julianne Cantarella
Dating & Relationship Coach

Expert Interview} If the pics make you uncomfortable, or you’re just plain not interested, it’s okay to say so. There’s nothing wrong with enforcing some boundaries and letting him know you’re just not the person to be sending that kind of stuff to. Stay kind and patient (so long as he hasn’t been pushing it), but also firm.
- “Let’s not send photos like that. It’s nothing against you, I just don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea if they see our chats, you know?”
- “I’m not really the girl to be sending gym pics to, but I appreciate the thought.”
- “That’s not the kind of thing I’m interested in, but I’m happy that you’re making progress!”
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Don’t respond if you don’t want to encourage more gym pics. If he’s pushing your boundaries or making you uncomfortable, there’s no shame in not responding. You might even block or mute him if he’s being annoying. That’s what the block and mute buttons are there for! You don’t owe him an explanation or an apology. Protect your peace.
- Keep in mind that if you know him in person, you might have to explain yourself the next time you see him.
- Other times, simply not responding or even opening the chat sends a pretty clear message.

Section 4 of 7:

What to Consider

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Keep in mind your relationship, his personality, and your comfort level. Keegan advises that you pay attention to the context and vibe of the conversation.^{[8]
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Expert Source

John Keegan
Dating Coach

Expert Interview} The four big factors to consider here are how well you know the guy, what he normally acts like, the tone of the messages, and how comfortable you are in the conversation. For example:
- Your relationship: If he’s a stranger sending gym pics, that’s a little odd! And maybe a little creepy. You might think twice before you reply with a flirty comment. If he’s a good friend, you might reply with a friendly comment. If he’s been on your romantic radar for a minute, though, then go ahead and get flirty.
- His personality: Maybe he’s a total gym bro who sends progress pics to everyone. Or, maybe he’s just super outgoing or thinks you’re interested in fitness, and flirting hasn’t occurred to him. Ask yourself what his personality is like to help you decide if this really is an opportunity to flirt.
- Conversation tone: Looking at the tone of the rest of the conversation can be a big help in deciding if he’s flirting. Has he been complimenting or teasing you? That’s a big hint. But if he’s just been making polite conversation, this might be more of a “just friends” situation.
- Your comfort level: If anything in your conversation raises a red flag or makes you squirm, feel free to end it or block him. Or, if you like him but just don’t feel comfortable flirting over messages, you might ask him to meet up instead. Pay attention to your instincts, and trust your gut.

Section 5 of 7:

What Not to Do

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Avoid giving him the wrong idea. If he’s sending you gym pics directly, he’s probably expecting a certain response. Namely, he’s probably flirting, and wants to see if you’ll flirt back. Sometimes, it feels like it’s easiest to just play along, but that could cause complications further down the line. Cantarella reminds us to be honest and transparent.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Julianne Cantarella
Dating & Relationship Coach

Expert Interview} Think about your own intentions, and act accordingly.
- It’s okay to not be interested, and if he’s a person worth talking to, he’ll understand that.
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Avoid leaving flirty comments on stranger’s public posts. How you respond to a gym pic depends on the context. If he’s texting or messaging them to you directly, feel free to compliment him and say whatever feels right. If he’s just posting them on his page or his profile for everyone to see, though, it’s best to stay away from thirsty or flirty comments, which could be seen as inappropriate, even if he’s trying to show off.^{[10]
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Research source}
- In this case, leave a like or choose one of the friendly, platonic options to let him know you appreciate it. Keegan says, "You can comment on one of the photos and say something like, "Hey, you seem like you're really into healthy things and eating right," stuff like that. "And, I thought you were really cute or attractive and wanted to say hi."^{[11]
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  John Keegan
  Dating Coach
  
  Expert Interview}
- Of course, if you’re already dating him, feel free to be as thirsty as you want in the comments! That’s your man, after all.

Section 6 of 7:

What does it mean when he sends gym pics?

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Gym pics are often a way of flirting by showing off your body. Guys who are into fitness love to send photos of their body to show off to people, especially people they’re trying to impress. It’s a chance to pose while they’re most attractive—just after a workout, when they’re trim, sweaty, and probably wearing less than usual. If he messages you a gym pic, there’s a good chance he’s flirting with you and trying to get you interested. Matchmaker April Davis recommends also looking for these signs that he’s interested:^{[12]
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April Davis
Matchmaker

Expert Interview}
- He stays interested and engaged in the conversation.
- He wants to make plans to see you.
- He makes flirty comments or gives you compliments.
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Gym pics can sometimes be just platonic. As with everything, context matters. If this is a guy you’ve been flirting with, or you matched on a dating app, or have been on a couple dates, or even if he’s just a stranger in your DMs, he’s probably flirting. But if he’s a long-time friend or someone just posting his fitness progress to his profile, that’s not flirting, that’s just him being proud of himself.
- When in doubt, err on the side of caution. It’s not your responsibility to pick up on his mixed signals.
- Or, just ask him! Say, “Are you flirting with me?” If he says no, say, “Got it, it’s so hard to tell online.”

Section 7 of 7:

Final Thoughts

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Gym pics are usually his way of flirting, so match his energy if you want. Guys often send gym pics to show off their physique in an attempt to impress you (unless they’re just a gym bro who send this kind of thing to everyone). If you like, compliment his body and focus on the parts of it he’s showing off. You might tell him how big his arms are, or how impressive it is that he maintains his abs, that sort of thing.
- If you don’t want to give him the wrong idea, keep the conversation platonic by asking him what his routine is like, complimenting his lifestyle, or changing the subject.
- If he’s making you uncomfortable, feel free to say so. You can assert your boundaries without ruining a friendship. Or, just ignore the message or block him.