One would expect a gym to be a space full of fitness enthusiasts engrossed in their own training routines. In fact, it’s more likely that you’ll hear the sounds of exercise machinery than social banter.
That’s what makes this blooming love story between Dylan and Charmaine ever more fascinating. These sweethearts, who are both in their 20s, found one another unexpectedly while exercising at the gym. Here, they share their story of how two gym-goers were brought together by a passion for fitness.
Love in a most unexpected place
It was just another ordinary day for Dylan Doo at the gym.
Consistently driven to attain a gold award for his then-upcoming Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), Dylan usually kept to himself and the fitness routine that he had meticulously cultivated over his many years as a gym enthusiast. In fact, it seemed like reticence was the unspoken decorum in his gym studio. “Most people would just keep to themselves as they go about their workout,” he remarked.
Little did he know, but Dylan was about to find himself at the centre of Charmaine Tay’s attention.
Having begun her fitness journey since her undergraduate days, personal wellness was more of a lifestyle than regimen for Charmaine. “It started from a daily 2.4km jog at 4am and grew into regular visits to the gym with friends,” Charmaine shares, expressing gratitude for her friends’ guidance in helping her to learn how to operate the gym’s various equipment.
During one serendipitous visit, she spotted Dylan in the midst of his workout routine and was intrigued by what she observed. “He was engaged in speed reps at the abdominal curls machine, and I just couldn’t help wondering if his approach was more efficient that the one that I had been taught,” she recalls. True to her inquisitive nature as a social researcher, Charmaine decided to approach Dylan.
For Dylan, however, this spontaneous interaction was a novel one. No one had ever approached him during his many visits to the gym, let alone enquire about his routine. “I thought she was flirting with me!” he quipped, continuing that “she denies it to date, but we’ll let the readers decide!”
While it may (or may not be) an innocuous gesture on Charmaine’s end, Dylan was immediately captivated. There was an undeniable chemistry between the two, so much so that he decided to take a leap of faith. “I only remember an inner voice telling me, “You won’t know if you don’t try”. I had no idea how to pick up girls (the struggles of an introvert!) but there was just this unexplainable feeling that made me ask for her number,” he confides. Thankfully, Charmaine happily obliged to this somewhat abrupt request!
That date – 15 December 2017 – marked a very special day for these lovebirds as it represented the beginning of a kindling spark lit by their intertwining paths.
Two different people, one heart
As they got to know one another, Dylan and Charmaine would soon realise that they were as different as they were similar, both in personality and in the manner in which they expressed affection.
Dylan’s the quintessential cautious wanderer who ensures his checklist is fully ticked off, while Charmaine goes off the beaten path, chasing adventures that promise thrills and excitement. He finds the act of gift-giving to be a canvas for expressing his feelings, while Charmaine derives joy from simply spending time with those she loves.
Differences notwithstanding, the couple appreciates the opportunity to explore this contrast and how their respective quirks could be complementary. “It’s exciting to learn more about our different worlds, and how we can work together to bridge these two realms,” they share. Already, they are uplifting one another; Charmaine encourages Dylan to step out of his comfort zone and embrace his more experiential side, and Dylan is a comforting presence for when Charmaine overthinks about life’s many uncertainties.
Time spent together is always an adventure
The couple still works out together, having found a second home at EnergyOne Gym (E1), more specifically, at its outlet at SAFRA Choa Chu Kang. Dylan continues his IPPT-inspired routine which involves a mix of cardio, static, machines and weights, while Charmaine prefers a more robust combination of mixed martial arts (MMA) and callisthenics. The convenience and affordability of an E1 membership along with its dependent membership enables them to continue pursuing their fitness goals without having to compromise on their recreational time and finances.
Although, for this young couple, working out is more than just for the physical and aesthetic achievements. It’s also a reminder for them to not just make time for one another, but for themselves as well. “No matter how busy we get at work, it is so important that we carve out time to work on both our physical and mental health,” Charmaine reflects, adding that “if I don’t work out at least once a week, something feels off.”
They never expected to be struck by Cupid’s arrow at a gym. But, life comes with its fair share of twists and turns. Who would have thought that a simple interaction at a gym would blossom into a beautiful pairing of two unique and special souls?
“Looking back, we were just fortunate that we were at the right place at the right time,” they introspect.
Get fit together with these easy exercises you can do with your partner!
Until 31 December 2024, SAFRA members and their dependents enjoy 50% off the joining fee when they sign up for a E1 membership (Applicable for new sign-ups of Platinum membership only). Additionally, existing members enjoy 2 months worth of membership for free when they renew their membership for 18 months or more. For more information, visit safra.sg/energyone-gym
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