How can dating apps use the 'gym crush' insight?

Dating apps can integrate features that allow users to signal interest in others they've seen at specific locations, like gyms, with privacy controls. This could involve location-based matching with an opt-in system, helping users connect with shared interests in real-world contexts, reducing direct confrontation fear.

What kind of hybrid models might apply to dating apps based on this context?

Hybrid models could involve a digital platform to connect users, followed by suggested in-person activities or group events at shared locations like gyms or fitness classes. This provides a "social scaffolding" for users to meet in a less intimidating environment, blending online matching with real-world interaction.

Company

TrainMore

TrainMore is a fitness chain whose gym settings highlight a gap in the dating app market for bridging online interest with real-world interaction.

Maintained by the High Intent newsroom. Last updated July 31, 2026. Led by founder and CEO Bill Alena, backed by a team of industry experts with over 100 years of online dating experience between them.

TrainMore: key facts

Website: trainmore.nl

What TrainMore does

TrainMore operates fitness clubs, primarily in the Netherlands. Its gyms serve as a relevant setting for understanding user behavior in dating, specifically regarding the concept of "gym crushes." Research indicates that a high percentage of singles, including Gen Z, experience attraction to others encountered in gym environments. However, a significant majority of these individuals do not act on this attraction due to factors like fear of rejection. This behavior, observed in the TrainMore gym context, suggests an opportunity for dating applications to develop features or models that facilitate the transition from digital interest to authentic offline interactions within specific social settings like gyms. Operators can learn from these insights to potentially create hybrid dating experiences.

Questions operators ask about TrainMore

The key takeaway is that physical locations like gyms generate significant social interest, but fear of rejection prevents action. Dating apps could bridge this gap by offering features that facilitate safe, guided interactions in real-world settings, turning passive attraction into active engagement for users.

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Our coverage of TrainMore

1 story

87% With Gym Crushes Never Act. Dating Apps Ignore the Opening.
A survey of Dutch singles, especially Gen Z, found high attraction to gym-goers but low action rates due to fear of rejection. This highlights a market gap for dating apps: bridging online efficiency with authentic offline connections. Operators should consider hybrid models and social scaffolding to help users transition from digital interest to real-world interaction, especially in settings like gyms.
June 9, 2026
Also in this storyHappn Match Group Bumble Hinge Claire Rénier

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