This week we venture into the less debated hot topic on dating tips for athletes and active individuals with Fit Talk Hosts Chermaine and JX
In recent years, the landscape of sports and fitness has evolved significantly, with women taking centre stage in what was once a male-dominated arena.
Podcasts have emerged as a powerful platform to amplify these voices, and to celebrate the achievement of women in sports, SportPlus.sg is pleased to provide a space for women to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs.
In the second episode of "Fit Talk", SportPlus.sg hosts Haw Jiaxuan and Chermaine Zhou debate whether athletes and active individuals should date within the fitness scene or look for someone who have different interests and lifestyle.
The topic of whether athletes have to date people within the fitness scene is an interesting one, and our podcast debate explored a variety of reasons - both the pros and the cons of dating someone within the fitness scene.
There are a number of factors that could influence this idea, ranging from shared values and lifestyle compatibility to the pressures of public scrutiny and career demands.
All the singles out in the working world can agree that it’s not easy out there. If you’ve graduated school — where you’re mixing with people of similar age and interests — how else are you going to meet somebody, let alone meet someone as into fitness as you? Is that even essential when the market is already so tough?
1. The Argument for Dating Within the Fitness Scene
Shared Lifestyle and Priorities: Athletes and active individuals, especially those in competitive sports, have rigorous training schedules, specific diet plans, and a level of physical dedication that can be hard for someone outside the fitness scene to fully understand or appreciate.
Partners who are also athletes or involved in the fitness world may have similar routines and goals, making it easier to support each other’s ambitions.
Mutual Understanding: Relationships require a lot of time and energy, and for athletes and active individuals, that often means sacrificing personal time to train, recover, or compete. Being with someone who understands this and shares those same sacrifices can lead to a stronger, more harmonious relationship.
Shared Social Circles and Support Systems: Whether you are a runner or fitness enthusiast, you will often interact with other fitness professionals, trainers, or coaches, and dating within this community may help them stay within a social circle where common interests can deepen. They also may have a stronger support network from people who understand the pressures of the athletic lifestyle.
2. The Argument Against Dating Only Within the Fitness Scene
Diversity of Interests: Athletes are multifaceted individuals with interests outside of their sport or fitness. Limiting potential partners to those within the fitness community could mean missing out on someone who shares other passions or perspectives. A partner from outside the fitness scene might offer a fresh outlook or contribute to a more balanced life.
Burnout and Overlap: If both partners are constantly immersed in the same fitness-focused world, it can lead to burnout, both individually and as a couple. It could become hard to maintain a healthy relationship if both parties are always talking about training, competitions, and recovery. Sometimes, a relationship with someone outside the fitness world can help provide a necessary escape.
Avoiding Pressure or Comparison: Dating someone within the fitness scene could inadvertently lead to comparison, especially if one person is more successful or more focused on their fitness than the other. For some, this can create unnecessary pressure or make them feel insecure, and could even strain the relationship.
3. Media and Public Perception
Athletes and active individuals, particularly those with a significant public following, may face extra pressure when it comes to their personal lives. Dating someone who is also a public figure in the fitness scene might provide some privacy or shared understanding of public scrutiny.
However, it also opens up the possibility for unwanted attention, and fans might even take sides in the relationship.
4. Practical Considerations
Time and Location: Many elite athletes travel frequently for overseas competitions or training camps. A partner who is also involved in fitness may be more flexible with their own schedule or may understand the need for long hours at the gym. Someone with a career or lifestyle outside of fitness may find it more difficult to coordinate time together.
Longevity of the Relationship: While relationships between athletes in the same field may initially thrive due to mutual understanding, they might also face challenges down the line, especially as careers evolve or injuries happen. Having a partner who is also an athlete could mean both parties are grappling with the same difficulties, such as career-ending injuries or shifting career trajectories, while a partner outside the fitness world might offer a different perspective or different coping mechanisms.
Jia Xuan’s Story
Jia Xuan’s running journey began with the help of her boyfriend, who though responsible for turning her into a runner, is now second to JX when it comes to being a running and fitness junkie.
“He’s my fitness influencer! I started running because I wanted to spend more time with him but now it’s reversed. I’m the one pulling him to all my events and telling him to go to the gym,” she says with a laugh. “There are pros for me!”
What’s the general consensus?
Both Jia Xuan and Chermaine took to Instagram to ask their followers the burning question — Would you want to date someone who’s also into fitness and does it have to be the same sport? Here are some of the answers they gathered.
“I don’t mind but they still have to look fit.”
“Looks aren’t everything and they don’t last!” Countered Jia Xuan.
Jia Xuan, however, received a much more eye-catching answer from one of her followers: “No! It’s a space for you to have from each other and it sometimes gives you the alone time that you want. BEST NOT TO.”
Jia Xuan then continued to read perhaps the most common response amongst not only hers, but Chermaine’s followers as well, and that’s that partners who are also into fitness will encourage a healthier lifestyle.
“There’s a common goal and it’s good to work towards,” shared Jia Xuan.
“It’s also healthy in a way. If you’re working out together, it can still be date night. You can look after yourself and spend time with your partner, it’s like killing two birds with one stone,” added Chermaine!
“That’s the way to spend four hours with your partner. You do your long run then you eat together!”
The Pros and Cons
With both the hosts dating within the running scene, the duo highlight the most common point brought up amongst runners when it comes to dating — understanding one another.
Both trained for and completed their first full marathons this year. While Jia Xuan conquered the Gold Coast Marathon, Chermaine tackled the Sydney Marathon two months later. The duo both had intense months of preparations including waking up at ungodly hours to complete their long runs before the sun came up.
“Training takes up a lot of time. Sometimes, it’s ungodly hours in the morning and sometimes it’s late into the night. So it’s about having a partner that understands you need this time to yourself and to train for a marathon. That’s what some of my followers maybe want to have in a partner.”
“What if your partner isn’t into fitness and you need to train for a marathon? What would you say to a follower whose partner isn’t into it?” asks Chermaine.
“I think it’s fine if they’re not into fitness as long as they understand what your goals are and what motivates you! Maybe they can turn up at your races, or cycle next to you as you run, this can be a small act of service!”
On the topic of whether the couple needs to be into the same sport, Jia Xuan feels that it’s not necessary. Afterall, aspects of running can translate into other sports anyway, such as cross training.
“Since Jia Xuan started with the pros, I’ll start with the cons,” smiles Chermaine shyly.
“I think, especially if your partner is in the same sport as you, we might be very intertwined in many running activities. Everything is about running. So even when planning a holiday, it must revolve around running. Let’s say you’re training for a marathon, even for birthday holidays, we have to find a place that has a park where we can run.”
To which Jia Xuan laughed sheepishly, recollecting a remark made by her partner once: “Why must we plan a holiday around your races!”
Are running clubs the new Tinder?
Upon seeing run clubs for singles pop up in America, Chermaine tossed the question over to Jia Xuan, “What do you think about run clubs meant for finding dates?”
“I think it’s a good opportunity for you to meet runners but then again, if you’re not into running, and you start going to these run clubs just to meet a partner, some people might expect you to be into running. Your dates will include runs, which might not be who you are and what you’re actually interested in,” shared Jia Xuan.
“That’s true, people might be tricked by it to be honest. But if you do go to the clubs, I hope that you do fall in love with running!” Chermaine agreed.
For 26-year-old Jia Xuan, who graduated recently, many of her single peers no longer have the same opportunities to meet new people previously present by being in school.
“When you’re in school, you meet people in your course, your CCAs but once you leave and enter the workforce, you won’t meet anyone new other than people in your office. So, run clubs can be a way to meet new people but maybe not just to get a partner, make friends first!”
Comments