My sister had three tips before I took my coat off.

Maya told me where to put my bag, which treadmill she liked and what I should do with my shoulders before I had taken my coat off. My sister had been using this gym for years. I had asked whether we could go at the same time. We had understood that request differently.

I had booked an introduction with a member of staff. Maya knew this, but she thought a few advance tips would help. Her few tips contained subheadings.

I love my sister. I also know the particular expression she wears when she believes she can save me six months by explaining something now.

I asked for the part I actually wanted.

At the changing-room door, I said I was looking forward to the introduction and wanted to learn from the person teaching it. What I wanted from her was company on the way in, then coffee afterwards.

She looked surprised. "You don't want me to show you anything?"

"I want you to show me where to meet you when we're done."

That made her laugh. She pointed to a bench by the reception area and said she would be there. We agreed that if I wanted her opinion later, I would ask.

The staff member took me through the introduction. I asked the questions I had written down, including one about a seat adjustment I would otherwise have pretended to understand. Maya went to do her own session.

We met where we said we would.

When I came back, she was sitting on the bench tying a shoe. She asked how it had gone. I told her about the adjustment and the way the instructor had explained the starting options.

I could see another tip approaching. She stopped it with visible effort and asked whether I had everything from my locker.

Over coffee, I did ask her something: how she remembered to pack her bag on a work night. She said she usually didn't, then described several times she had exercised in unsuitable spare socks.

This was useful information. It was also the first time all morning she had sounded like my sister instead of an induction document.

We arranged another shared journey for the following week. I would follow the plan from my introduction. She would do her session. We would meet at the bench.

The night before, she sent a photograph of her bag with the socks on top. There was no advice underneath. I sent back mine.