Are Running Clubs The New Dating Apps? Here Are Some Considerations

Are you running out of patience with dating apps? Well, apparently, more and more people are running to another way of meeting potential partners: running clubs. In fact, on social media and the Internet, you’ll find references to running clubs being the “new Tinder.” That doesn’t mean that people are joining running clubs and then physically swiping left and right on people running next to them. That would be weird and disconcerting. But nowadays it seems like an increasing number of people are using running clubs to run through different people as dating possibilities. If you do want to join a running club for whatever reason, though, it would be better for you to be adequately prepared.

Frustration With Dating Apps May Be Prompting Runs To Running Clubs

It may be shocking to hear of folks using a gathering not originally intended for dating to hit on or be hit on by other people. People never use such opportunities to search for prospects, right? Nonetheless, it shouldn’t be too surprising that people are searching for new ways to meet people besides dating apps. There have been many headlines about singles being frustrated and burned out by dating apps. While dating apps have been advertised as ways to meet more and a wider range of people, the criticism is that such apps may create the “paradox of choice” with singles focusing even more on superficial characteristics when choosing matches and lead singles treat each other as more “disposable,” as I detailed in “A Funny Bone to Pick” for Psychology Today.

Plus, dating apps may be right for some but not right for others. It isn’t like a slanket, where one size fits all. For example, setting up a dating profile and trying to get the attention of others can involve a lot of marketing of yourself, which can favor some but disadvantage others. At the same time, a lot of the initial interactions take place virtually, through scrolling, swiping, and messaging. So, it can be difficult to tell what’s real from not real. Again this can favor some but be about as pleasant as pouring ketchup into one’s eyes for others.

The Advantages of Running Clubs As Ways To Meet People

Running clubs don’t have some of these traditional dating app drawbacks. Unless people are sending avatars of themselves to do the running, you will meet real people. Not only that, people may be closer to their real selves. After all, you will probably find fewer people in full makeup, dresses or suits. You will get a chance to see people when they are sweating or in some cases glowing with their hair and other body parts tossled and thrown in different directions. You’ll have to reveal yourself in this manner too as you won’t have filters, favorable lighting or a messaging app to hide behind. That also means that you’ll have to wear pants.

Running clubs also levels the playing a bit when it comes to fashion. Although the cost of running shoes and athletic clothes can vary significantly these days, there is only so much variability in what you can wear. So, you don’t have to worry as much about not wearing an expensive enough T-shirt.

Running can offer time to interact with others. It’s natural to chat whether it’s to distract from the effort needed to keep running or to warn, “Look out for that squirrel.” Running outdoors can take you past interesting scenery, which can serve as the subject of conversation. And assuming that you have some kind of legitimate interest in running, you may find yourself among people who automatically have a shared to discuss, namely running.

Additionally, people can be less on guard while doing some kind of physical activity like running especially when they enjoy that activity. Running can stimulate the release of endorphins and various neurotransmitters that in turn can boost your mood and make your feel more relaxed. It can also increase the flow of blood and oxygen throughout your body including your brain. The movement of your body and trying to navigate your way past objects and squirrels can distract your from your fears, worries and concerns.

Then there are the multiple health benefits of running. No matter how vigorously you swipe on a dating app or what body part you use to do so, it’s not going to satisfy the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of getting at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week, as I have described in Forbes previously. The WHO set such guidelines because consistently reaching or exceeding them may significantly reduce your risk of a whole host of bad health stuff like heart disease, stroke diabetes and cancer. So even if the meet-the-love-of-your-life or even the love-of-this-minute thing doesn’t happen, participating in a running club will still bring benefits.

The Disadvantages of Running Clubs As Ways To Meet People

Of course, running clubs are not for everyone. When you join one, you do in fact have to, you know, run. Telling someone, “Can we just sit here for a while or go to a café,” may not work out too well. If you can’t stand running, joining a running club just to meet potential dates may not be the best way to go.

Keep in mind that many people have joined running clubs for the purpose of going running. They may not be in the mood to hear things like, “It’s a good thing I have my library card, because I am totally checking you out,” especially if you are running while holding out your library card. Running can be their way of getting away from it all. And that all may include people trying to hit on them.

Moreover, you’ve got to be in some kind of shape to run with many running clubs. Check out the club’s requirements and expectations before participating. Make sure that you are at the requisite fitness and endurance level. Being ill-prepared can lead to exhaustion and injury, neither of which will make you very attractive. If your primary form of exercise has been swiping, you may want to gradually work your way up to the exercise level that’s required.

It will be important to get the right clothing and shows too. Crocs, neckties, stilettos, evening gowns, low rise jeans, trench coats and other such impractical fashions will cry out, “I’m not here to run, I’m here to date” or “I don’t know what the bleep I’m doing.” Even if you choose to wear sneakers, they have to be the proper types of fit well. Wearing basketball shoes, for example, could lead to foot or lower extremity injuries, especially if they don’t fit well.

Finally, while running can have many health benefits, there are health risks. It can be very hard on your joints like your knees and other parts of your body, especially when running on hard surfaces. Common injuries include shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, iliotibial band syndrome and something that’s surprise, surprise dubbed “Runner’s Knee.” Overtraining can lead to mental exhaustion and burnout. Not getting enough fluids can lead to dehydration. Overheating of your body can result in heatstroke. If you’ve got pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease, you may want to check with your physician to get clearance before joining a running club.

As with all things, running clubs are not one-size-fits-all. They may be great fits for some people but terrible for others. It’s better to do what you enjoy as I have written before in Psychology Today. That will naturally make you more attractive and bring you closer to others with shared interests. If, on the other hand, you are joining a running club simply to meet potential partners, you may soon run out of luck.