If you’re looking for a new tactic to discourage unwanted attention from men while you’re working out (or otherwise), Twitter has a creative new approach for you to try.

Olivia Cole, an author from Kentucky, US, had been at the gym, when she had an interaction so brilliant, that she felt compelled to live Tweet it to spread the word.

Writing to her 27,000 followers, Cole explained that she was in the gym and had just overheard a conversation between two friends which was interrupted by a male gym-goer.

Setting the scene, Cole described how a guy with “flirtatious eyebrows at the ready” made his way over to the two women, presumably to strike up a conversation – which as we all know, is the last thing most people want when in the middle of a workout.

But instead of nodding along awkwardly or feigning an excuse to leave, behaviour that many of us have adopted when put in this kind of situation, these ladies stood their ground - and pretended to fart instead.

That’s right. The novel technique to keep people away from your workout zone is to let one rip (or at least, make them think you have).

Summing up the story perfectly, Cole wrote, “GUYS. Just now. In gym.

*guy approaches two women working out, with flirtatious eyebrows at the ready*

Girl 1: UH you might not want to come over here, dude. I just farted. It’s bad.

Guy: *looks horrified. leaves.*

Girl 2: omg did you really?

Girl 1: psh no.”

This woman's technique for discouraging men at the gym is brilliant