In the ever-spirited hustle of the UK and Ireland, where daily activity levels have soared to new heights unseen in three years, a surprising trend emerges: the gym is becoming a hotspot not just for sculpting muscles but also for sculpting relationships.
A solid 12% of gym-goers are more interested in finding love than in finding their next personal best.
It’s a movement that spans generations, though not equally. Among the younger crowd, 16 to 24-year-olds are turning fitness centres into their personal matchmaking arenas, with a whopping 30% using their workouts as a chance to find romance. Contrast that with the over 55s, and you’ll find only 3% mixing dumbbells with dates.
But what’s the best sport for finding love in a sweat-induced setting? Swimming appears to be the ultimate cupid’s pool, with over 11% of water enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland finding their partners in the chlorinated confines of local pools.
Hot on swimming’s heels are the gym, outdoor running, and cycling, where each activity boasts a 10% success rate in the love connection stakes.
MOST POPULAR SPORTS TO FIND LOVE IN THE UK & IRELAND
| Rank | Activity | Percentage of people in the UK & I that have met a partner (%) |
| 1 | Swimming | 11% |
| =2 | Gym | 10% |
| =2 | Outdoor runs | 10% |
| =2 | Cycling | 10% |
| 3 | Park games (e.g. Volleyball or Rounders) | 9% |
| =4 | Yoga | 8% |
| =4 | Team sports | 8% |
| 5 | Football/5 a side | 7% |
| 6 | Boxing | 6% |
Paula Radcliffe Brand Ambassador for FLORA’s Get Towns Active campaign commented: “I’m so pleased to see people in the UK & Ireland coming together in their communities to motivate themselves to reach their fitness goals.
I’ve seen first-hand the difference that exercising with others can have on performance and I’ve relied on that collective power to spur me at many points throughout my career.
“FLORA’s Get Towns Active campaign is all about encouraging people across the UK & Ireland to take steps towards a healthier and more active lifestyle, and that’s why I am standing with FLORA as Brand Ambassador because it’s a cause close to my heart.
I want to encourage others to experience the positive benefits of healthy lifestyle choices in the same way I have.”
John Mulvey, Head of Marketing at FLORA, commented: “The findings from FLORA’s Annual Active Towns Report are really encouraging and we’re pleased to see so many people not only spending more time exercising than in previous years but also using exercise as a way of engaging with their local community.
“After a few years of lockdowns and now in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis where 40% of people say they are struggling to afford to exercise, working out together can be a great way to spend time with loved ones. It’s also a great way to save money by taking a simple first step such as going for a walk.
“FLORA has been bringing people together around the dining table for over 50 years and now we are delighted to bring people together to get active too. Our team of Activists on Instagram are providing top tips on how to stay active and healthy with nutritional recipe ideas.”
For more information on how to join in FLORA’s Get Towns Active movement, visit flora.com and follow along with Mark Wright, Paula Radcliffe, and the rest of the FLORA community on Instagram using #TeamFlora #GetTownsActive.
You can also follow those from the FLORA community who have chosen to take on this year’s TCS London Marathon as their ultimate fitness goal.