White tablecloths, candle lit dinners and little black dresses are being traded for Lycra and running shoes as singletons are ditching the dinner date for a more active first date.
Those looking for love are finding new ways to enjoy first dates, fancy restaurants are out and gym dates are in.
Millenials and Gen Z, who find dinner dates 'boring' are instead finding alternative ways to meet romantic interests, in fact the trend is so popular that Tinder - the biggest dating app in the world - are launching running clubs for singletons to meet up.
Working with running coaching app, Runna, Tinder have launchedSoleMates Run Clubs, a series of free runs starting in London this week.
Responding to the growing popularity of activity-based dating and with 'running' trending as one of the top Tinder profile tagged Interests, singles across the UK's capital will be able to get feet and hearts racing at one of Tinder and Runna's SoleMates sessions.
Millenials and Gen Z, who find dinner dates 'boring' are instead finding alternative ways to meet romantic interests, in fact the trend is so popular that Tinder - the biggest dating app in the world - are launching running clubs for singletons to meet up
Responding to the growing popularity of activity-based dating and with 'running' trending as one of the top Tinder profile tagged Interests, singles across the UK's capital will be able to get feet and hearts racing at one of Tinder and Runna's SoleMates sessions
Designed to bring singles together for a fun dating experience, SoleMates Run Clubs will take place across three weeks in June and July at different central London locations.
Each session will consist of a 5k run led by Runna kept at a casual, chatty pace to help attendees either meet new, like-minded people, or flirt with a Tinder match over a shared interest.
The capital's Tinder users will be the first in the know, with the SoleMates Run Clubs being promoted in the app via a 'Swipe Card' taking users directly to the booking facility.
Suitable for a range of abilities, SoleMates Run Clubs welcomes all runners, from those who have never been running before to those who do so every week.
Those attending the runs solo without a Tinder match will be paired with like-minded runners based on previous running experience to ensure potential Tinder matches have the chance to chat as they run and explore personalities as well as pace.
At the finish line, runners will be hosted at a post-run social where they'll have the opportunity to get to know the people they ran with that little bit better.
Laura Wilkinson-Rae, Senior Communications Director from Tinder told FEMAIL: 'With the nights getting longer, and many young singles ditching the classic dinner date, the SoleMates Run Clubs allow young singles to enjoy an IRL date with a difference. What is guaranteed is that heart rates will rise.'
According to Badoo, young people are snubbing typical date spots for crafting classes, gym sessions or even 'dawn dates', where singletons meet up for coffee before work. Stock
Ben Parker, Co-Founder and Head Coach at Runna added: 'It's been incredible to see the love for running spread across London, with so many amazing new run clubs, enriching local communities.
'With our passion for running, we are thrilled to be teaming up with Tinder for the SoleMates Run Clubs and can't wait to welcome runners down to the event and hopefully help build some great new connections'.
Many singletons are looking for alternative ways to enjoy dating.
Sasha, 42, from East Sussex told the Guardian that she took a date swimming as a first date - adding she would 'never go out for dinner with anyone, it's too awkward'.
The rising cost of living may have something to do with the fall in dinner dates.
A survey by the dating site Match suggests 40 per cent of those it polled saying the cost of living crisis meant they were going on fewer dates.
Elsewhere, the Ain't Got A Clue podcast predicted the rise of 'all female run clubs' because they are 'becoming the new Hinge'.
According to Badoo, young people are snubbing typical dating spots for crafting classes, gym sessions or even'dawn dates' - where singletons meet up for coffee or breakfast before starting work.
EXCLUSIVE: Tinder’s Global Relationships Insights Expert, Paul C. Brunson's thoughts on dating and Gen Z's approach to chivalry
'When it comes to dating and chivalry, Tinder’s latest Green Flags study shows a young generation of daters who are adjusting what this ideology means to them.
'While it’s easy for singles, and in particular men, to feel somewhat trapped by the older chivalrous notions handed down by previous generations - the data is showing chivalry isn’t dead, it’s simply evolved.
'While women still appreciate traditional gestures like holding open a door, chivalry is now about being fully present and displaying a genuine level of care for that person. Whether that’s making sure they get home safe after a date or putting your phone away whilst spending time together - it’s really about respect, and that’s mutual.
'While Gen Z daters certainly appreciate romantic traditional values like men picking up the first tab and the meet-cute nostalgia, what we’re seeing more and more of is a generation that is challenging and redefining traditional dating norms to fit their contemporary ideals, allowing them to be their true, authentic self.
'For example, singles are now less focused on the white picket fence relationships seen in the eras gone by, and are instead open to diverse dating structures that aren’t limited by conventional labels. And interestingly, Tinder’s study found that men in particular aren’t stifled by a woman's financial independence, with 3 out of 4 men (74%) being open to dating a woman who makes more money than them1.
For Gen Z’s, one thing has never been clearer when it comes to dating and that 'is that chivalry is rooted in respect. With the majority of men (78%) and women (84%) seeking an equal partnership, they are seeking partners who respect them and whom they can respect too.
'In the digital society we live in, dating trends spread easily through social media, creating unrealistic perspectives. We often romanticise ideas, especially when we feel we’re missing something in our lives, whether it's due to significant events like the pandemic or a pop-culture influence like a loved romantic movie.
'From these shifts, we can sometimes create a trend in our mind that doesn’t really exist and become stuck in a repetitive cycle of chasing unattainable ideals. It is these trends that can also fuel misunderstandings between genders which really don’t exist. For example, over 30% of men3 anticipate a woman's focus to be on traits like height or job titles when it comes to picking a match, but in reality these aren't decisive factors in dating preferences at all.
'Gen Z crave authenticity and want to bring their real, unfiltered selves to the dating world. With such busy lives, they don’t have time for games and 32% of them are less likely to ghost someone than 33+ year olds. They’ve ushered in an era of all or nothing dating where they’re putting the focus on meaningful connections and overall well-being.
'With such a refreshing mindset, it’s no surprise that Tinder's Future of Dating report found that more than half of millennials believe dating is healthier for Gen Z today than it was for them, with over 70% admitting that dating games – like playing hard to get, giving mixed signals, playing the field – were all accepted as “normal” when they were between 18-25 years old.
'Making assumptions is a common mistake that can kill any chance of a spark forming. One that singles often make is assuming what the other wants from the relationship, and mainly, that the opposite sex is only looking for a casual fling. In reality, singles are mostly looking for long-term relationships - a want that 40% of Tinder members are also clear about in-app too.4
'Preconceived assumptions like this can really impact your dating journey and ultimately lead to self-doubt or even a premature desire to stop exploring a newfound relationship which could be the start of something great. My best advice is to always keep an open mind and ask questions rather than assume! But remember, if you’re not feeling it, don’t be afraid to honestly, and politely, tell them it’s not working.'
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Tina Wilson, who founded dating app Wingman, says a surge in online dating following the pandemic means Gen Z singletons are 'cutting to the chase', when it comes to meeting potential partners.
The London-based relationship experthas also noticed a spike in health-conscious users whittling down their pool of potential partners based on their drinking or smoking habits.
Dating guru James Preece also noted a rise in younger clients who are focused on their health - ditching wine bars and swanky restaurants for pottery classes or yoga sessions.
'This is something I've definitely noticed this with my younger clients,' he said. 'Many of them are very health and body conscious, so they drink less and are more active than other generations.'
He added that flexible working, the ability to speak with multiple partners online and the increasing cost of dating means dating is becoming far more about efficiency than romance.
'Time is limited as it's easier to get dates, so they would rather do something more normal', he said. 'This takes the pressure off and it's easier to bond.
'Another reason is the cost of dating is increasingly expensive, which is a problem when money is limited. If you are going on lots of dates then it can be easier to arrange if you tie it into something you are already planning to do.
'The downside to this is that these dates are so low key that they lack romance and aren't very memorable.
'This means that it's harder to feel a true spark or connection. They almost work as 'test' or 'zero' dates as a way to see if they want to go on a proper date later on.'
