Swapping shots for squats: One in five singles head to the gym for a first date

When single mum Kirsten Schneider set up her dating profile, she wanted to find a match who shared her passions.

A lover of fitness and the outdoors, she wrote that she was looking for someone who enjoyed being active.

She soon matched with Dan, a keen powerlifter, and the pair agreed to meet.

Kirsten says: ‘We went for a drink for our first date, but on our second, we went climbing together.

‘Now, we’ve been together for four years.’

While a trip to the pub might seem like the most obvious choice for a first date, the bar is being ditched in favour of barbells. New research from Bumble reveals that one in five gen z and millennials have gone to the gym for a first date.

And with a rise in ‘dry dating’, it seems that more of us want a clear head when deciding whether their new match could lead to long-term romance. At 46%, almost half of gen z and millennials would rather meet someone at an exercise class than on a night out

Not only that, but almost one in three gen z have gone to the gym with the intention of trying to meet someone new. While the squat rack might not seem like the most romantic of settings, all that sweat, panting and tight work out gear isn’t exactly a turn off.

Now, Bumble have teamed up with Gymshark to launch Dates That Workout – a new partnership which will help connect singles through their love of fitness.

Daters will be able to add fitness-focused badges onto their profiles, with options including weightlifting, HIIT, and bodybuilding. 

There will also be speed-dating workout classes hosted at Gymshark’s Regent Street store, in London.

For Kirsten and Dan, fitness was the spark that ignited their relationship.

How to blend exercise and romance

Want to find love in a spin class? Bumble’s dating expert, Dr Caroline West, shares her top tips=:

1. Do show your love for fitness on your profile. ‘If fitness is a big part of your life, put it front and centre with new interest badges on your profile. Posting pictures of you in action is also likely to help you find a compatible partner with similar fitness interests.’

2. Do find an exercise or workout that you’ll both enjoy. ‘While you might be in love with the idea of having potentially found a new spot partner, your date might not be as keen to take part in weightlifting on a date. Make sure you’re both excited about the activity you choose, or are at least up for trying something new together. Hot yoga, boxing, barre or a conditioning class are a few great places to start.

3. Do be encouraging and supportive. ‘Whilst a bit of healthy competition can lead to some fun banter, it’s not cool to be not overly comparative or critical on an active first date. Plus, if you are trying out a competitive sport, remember there’s a fine line between a gracious winner and a show-off.

4. Don’t overthink it. ‘Dating can be nerve-wracking, but the possibilities are exciting, especially on activity-based dates that have potential for so much fun. Enjoy yourself and remember that this is also an opportunity to have a good time doing something that you both share an interest in.’

5. Don’t forget to leave time for a post-workout debrief. ‘Studios and gyms can get noisy, so whether it’s a slow cool down walk after class or a quick smoothie detour post-workout, leave some time to have a chat with your date and find out more about them outside of their passion for fitness.’

She says: ‘Dan was one of the people to come through on the app and we matched. I liked that fitness was part of his bio and his photos were of him out and about. And being honest, he was also quite fit!

‘Fitness is such a big part of my life and I spend a lot my time doing it. I needed someone who understood this and felt the same.’

And Kirsten believes that the new additions to the app will ease any awkwardness on first dates.

‘Dating and love is all about common interests and shared passions,’ she says. ‘It makes conversation so much easier, especially in those first few dates.

‘And you feel more relaxed because you know there is a solid starting point.’

Now, four years on, and Kirsten and Dan still love activity dates.

She says: ‘Dan is a keen powerlifter. I had never done that before I met him. Now we go together every other week.’

The pair are now even opening up a fitness retreat together.

And for those still swiping, Kirsten has some advice: ‘Make sure that you’re searching for people who have similar interests to you,’ she urges.

‘You don’t want to waste time on people who you ultimately won’t gel with. So keep an eye on people’s profiles.

‘Use the badges. And my biggest piece of advice is to show the real you. Describe your interests and hobbies, and share pictures that depict your lifestyle.

‘Then the right person will come into your life.’

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