Fitness Singles is a niche online dating site that also works as a social networking site created especially for people who are active and health-conscious.
Christopher Mattioli founded Fitness Singles and has been its president and CEO ever since.
The company has its headquarters in Buffalo, New York, and operates under the corporate name e-unity Corp. (sometimes known as e-unity Inc.).
In August 2003, Mattioli launched the dating website and founded the business.
He has utilized his knowledge in online fraud protection, SaaS operations, and marketing to global audiences for the platform’s development and user safety measures.
Fitness Singles sets itself apart from alternatives with an emphasis on older active individuals, a manual-first search experience, and a long history in the market.
Who Fitness Singles Is Suited For
Fitness Singles is most suited for people who view an active lifestyle as an essential component of who they are.
1. Dedicated Long-Term Seekers
Lifestyle Compatibility: This is for people who place a high value on lifestyle compatibility, particularly those who are looking for a mate who shares their dedication to regular exercise, healthy eating, and wellness.
Intentional Dating: The dating site tends to draw users who are more serious and prepared to make a financial investment in establishing a committed relationship rather than those looking for casual swiping because its essential features are hidden behind a barrier.
2. Mature Active Adults
Age Demographic: Although the network is accessible to all adults, singles between the ages of 35 and 85 make up the majority of its user population.
It is especially well-liked by seasoned professionals who want a more sophisticated dating experience than mainstream applications and who have specialized fitness interests.
3. Specific Fitness Enthusiasts
Niche Athletes: The dating website is intended for people who have particular interests in fitness:
Endurance Athletes: Triathletes, bikers, and runners.
Strength Trainers: CrossFit athletes and bodybuilders.
Outdoor and Wellness Fans: Hikers, swimmers, and yoga practitioners.
Skill Level Matching: This is for people who like to match based on their particular skill level rather than just general interest (e.g., matching a professional runner with another professional runner).
4. Individuals Looking for Platonic Exercise Partners
Dual Purpose: Fitness Singles is ideal for people who are expressly looking for exercise mates or workout buddies to enjoy things with, including hiking or gym sessions, without immediately expecting romance, in contrast to many dating apps that are exclusively romantic.
5. People Who Prefer Manual Control
Manual Filtering: For people who don’t favor algorithmic matching, manual filtering is perfect.
To locate precisely who you’re looking for, the dating platform lets you manually search and filter through hundreds of fitness categories and geographic regions.
Who Fitness Singles Isn’t Suited For
Fitness Singles is often not suited for the following user types:
1. Gen Z and Young Millennials
Age Demographic: People 35 to 85 years of age and older make up the majority of the user base of the dating platform.
On contemporary dating apps like Fitafy or Datefit, younger people seeking active relationships will discover a much broader community of peers.
Social Culture: The fast-paced, social media-style interaction that younger generations generally want in a dating interface is absent from the dating site.
2. Budget-Conscious Daters
Paywall Restrictions: The dating site is purely pay-to-play, even if registration is free.
You cannot date without a premium subscription since free members are unable to see or respond to messages.
Value Proposition: Given its limited user base, Fitness Singles’ expensive price may not seem reasonable to those who prefer the extensive free tiers of dating apps like Bumble or Hinge.
3. Users in Rural or Small Markets
Member Density: Compared to mainstream dating platforms, there are many fewer active users on this niche dating website.
Distance Problems: People who live outside of large cities often see matches that are hundreds of miles away, which makes local dating challenging.
4. Adherents of Contemporary App Design
Outdated Interface: The layout of the dating app has remained largely unchanged.
It doesn’t have contemporary features like AI-integrated matching, quick swiping, or video dating.
Slow Approval Process: Fitness Singles carefully evaluates each photo and profile modification, which can take up to 24 hours to go online, in contrast to instant-upload dating apps.
5. Casual Fitness Enthusiasts
Intensity Level: The community is designed for lifestyle athletes, or those whose lives are centered around competition, certain diets, and training.
Compatibility: The heavy concentration on performance measurements and rigorous sports regimens can be a point of incompatibility rather than a shared interest if your interest in fitness is casual (e.g., a light walk once a week).
User Base of Fitness Singles
The following important demographics and data describe the user base of Fitness Singles:
Total Membership and Reach
Size: There are more than 3 million users on the dating platform globally.
Historical Growth: It has serviced more than two million members in five countries since its establishment in 2003.
Core Geographic Focus: Despite being worldwide, it is still primarily focused on the United States.
Age Range and Demographics
Primary Age Group: Single people between the ages of 35 and 85+ have photo profiles on the online dating website.
Trending Shifts: The number of users over 55 appears to be increasing, in part because of social media targeted advertising.
User Interests and Activities
The majority of members are sports and fitness aficionados, including:
High-Intensity Athletes: Bodybuilders, bikers, triathletes, and runners.
General Enthusiasts: People who enjoy walking, yoga, and a variety of active activities.
Sign-Up Process and Creating a Profile on Fitness Singles
The sign-up and profile creation process places a strong emphasis on connecting users based on specific sports hobbies and physical health objectives.
Since there isn’t presently a separate mobile app, the dating platform largely uses a mobile-optimized website.
1. Initial Account Registration
The steps to create a basic account are as follows and are free:
Credentials: In addition to creating a distinct username and password, you must supply a working email address.
Basic Identity: Type in your name, gender, age (members range from 35 to 85+), and the gender you are looking for.
Location: To enable local matches, provide your cell number and country.
2. Fitness and Lifestyle Profiling
Describing your active lifestyle is a crucial component of the setup of the matchmaking site:
Activity Selection: Choose at least three physical or fitness activities that you regularly engage in, e.g., cycling, jogging, or swimming.
Skill Level: You score your level of competence on a scale ranging from beginner to pro for each activity you have selected.
Physical Attributes: You can reveal your weight, body type, and best feature using drop-down choices.
Personal Information: Describe your faith, your desire to have children, and the languages you speak.
3. Photo Guidelines and Verification
For a profile to succeed, visual material is crucial:
Up to 40 JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF, or BMP images can be uploaded.
Primary Photo: Your primary photo must be less than 16 MB, at least 300 by 400 pixels, and clearly display your face (no sunglasses).
Review Process: Before the profile goes online, all new registrations and some profile modifications go through a manual quality assurance review, which usually takes less than a day.
4. Finishing the Profile
Biography: Although it’s not required, users are urged to include a brief bio and headline to provide additional information about themselves.
“Rather Not Say” Option: If you’re not ready to divulge certain personal information, the internet dating site offers an easy-to-use alternative for a number of categories.
Interaction Restrictions: Free users can search profiles and show interest (teases) after registering, but sending or reading private messages requires a premium subscription.
Match and Search System
By matching members based on particular physical activities and fitness levels, the Fitness Singles match and search system emphasizes lifestyle compatibility.
1. Matching Methodology
Activity-Based Alignment: The method mainly aligns users according to their self-reported skill levels, which range from beginner to pro, and their top three main exercise activities.
Compatibility Focus: In contrast to popular swiping apps, it places an emphasis on long-term compatibility by taking into account common interests in activities like weightlifting, yoga, cycling, and running.
Lifestyle Factors: The algorithm incorporates general wellness practices, such as balanced eating and mental health, as well as food preferences into its compatibility evaluations.
2. Search and Browsing Features
Photo Profiles: A vast collection of photo profiles covering a broad age range, usually from 35 to 85+, is available for anyone to peruse.
Filter Options: Niche fitness-specific filters, as well as more conventional factors like geography, age, and relationship objectives, can be used to refine searches.
Top 25 List: The community’s top 25 most popular men and women are highlighted in this special feature.
3. Interaction and Visibility
Free Search: Users who have registered can look up and view profile information and images at no cost.
Show Interest (Teases): Without a paid subscription, free members can express interest by sending a digital nudge or tease.
Initial Visibility Spike: As their profile is shown to the current community, new members frequently see a greater number of matches right after registering.
Pros and Cons of Fitness Singles
Pros of Fitness Singles
Shared Lifestyle Compatibility: The matchmaking platform cuts down on the time spent searching via traditional dating apps for health-conscious matches and does away with the awkwardness of contacting individuals at the gym.
Detailed Fitness Matching: Users can self-rate their ability level, from beginner to pro, and list their top three fitness activities in their profiles.
This makes it easier to find certain shared interests, like yoga or marathon training.
Big, International User Base: It is one of the biggest niche communities for runners, cyclists, and athletes in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, with more than 3 million members globally.
Holistic Health Focus: The matching method connects individuals based on food preferences, nutritional practices, and mental health in addition to physical activity.
Dual-Purpose Networking: The website is mainly used for dating, but it can also be used to meet gym companions or workout partners, which appeals to people looking to make friends through fitness.
Simplified, Web-Based Interface: In contrast to many more recent dating apps, it makes use of a simple, low-tech online platform that is compatible with all devices.
Some users believe this to be more user-friendly than complicated mobile dating apps.
Cons of Fitness Singles
Restrictive Messaging Paywall: Although browsing and creating profiles are free, reading and sending private messages requires a paid subscription, which frequently irritates free members.
Inactive Profiles: Zombie accounts, or profiles of people who haven’t signed in for months or years but still show up in search results, are a common source of criticism for the online dating platform.
Perceived Costly Subscription Costs: Compared to more recent fitness dating apps, premium membership prices are frequently thought to be costly.
Archaic User Interface: The website’s functioning and appearance are outdated, and it lacks the contemporary, user-friendly swipe mechanisms present in rival dating apps that prioritize mobile devices.
Geographic Matching Accuracy: Users occasionally see matches hundreds of miles away, even when their search parameters are set to local proximity.
This can be troublesome for anyone looking for in-person exercise partners.
Lack of a Dedicated Mobile App: Fitness Singles’ mobile-friendly website is the only option available to customers because the company still lacks a stand-alone app in major stores.
Stringent Billing and Refund Policies: It can be difficult to stop auto-renewals, and the dating site has a stringent no-refund policy.
Success Stories on Fitness Singles
Marriages and Long-Term Relationships: A number of couples who connected through similar athletic objectives are featured on the official website of the dating platform.
For instance, Paula and Dave related an engagement tale about riding their bikes to Maroon Bells in Aspen, while Kristen and Dave bonded over their strong commitment to healthy living.
Deep Compatibility and Shared Passions: Jill and Mike were able to meet their soulmates by explicitly looking for active companions that had a variety of adventurous hobbies in addition to casual fitness.
Niche Activity Matching: Some members on the matchmaking website have found partners for very distinct sports, such as competitive cycling or ballroom dancing, but these outcomes frequently depend on living in a densely populated area.
Motivational Impact: Even if they don’t meet a long-term companion right away, some users find the group setting useful for sustaining their individual fitness journeys and weight loss objectives.
Free Features on Fitness Singles
Fitness Singles has a freemium business strategy, letting users sign up and explore for free but limiting significant engagement to subscribers who have paid.
The following features are available in the free version of the dating platform:
Profile Creation: Users can create a complete personal profile that covers their preferred lifestyle, skill levels, and top three fitness activities.
Photo Uploads: Up to 40 photos can be uploaded to a free member’s profile; however, each image must pass a manual quality assurance inspection, which usually takes 24 hours.
Browsing and Searching: You can view the complete photo profiles of active singles as well as search the database of more than three million users.
Get Notifications: Free accounts are able to get alerts when someone else looks at their profile or expresses interest in them.
View Top 25 Lists: All users can access lists of the community’s most well-liked male and female members.
Paid Features on Fitness Singles
Any significant engagement between members of Fitness Singles will require a paid subscription.
You can explore various features for free, but in order to interact with matches, you must have Premium Status.
The paid features and subscription terms:
Unlimited Messaging: Users can send and receive an infinite quantity of customized private messages.
Reading Incoming Messages: Although free users can be notified when they have mail, opening and reading such messages requires a paid subscription.
Complete Profile Access: All features of the dating site, such as viewing complete photo galleries and comprehensive personals, are available to paid users without restriction.
Verified Photo Management: Although all photo uploads still need human administrative approval, paid customers can manage their accounts more efficiently.
Pricing Plans: The price is $60 for three months or $79.99 for six months.
Strict Billing Terms: Unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the term, all subscriptions are automatically renewed, charged in a single upfront payment, and strictly non-refundable.
Flexible Payment Options: Although mail-in payments need a minimum 3-month commitment, premium status can be purchased via credit card, debit card, PayPal, or by mail using a check or money order.
Costs on Fitness Singles
Fitness Singles uses a tiered subscription model, with basic account creation being free but all substantial interactions requiring a paid membership.
Subscription Plans
Longer commitments result in substantial discounts on membership fees:
6-Month Plan: $79.99 (billed as a single upfront payment).
3-Month Plan: $59.97 (broken down to roughly $19.99/month).
1-Month Plan: $39.99.
12-Month Plan: Long-term prices can drop to $9.99/month when paid annually.
Key Billing Policies
Single Upfront Payment: There is no option for installment billing; all subscriptions are paid for in full at the time of purchase.
Strict No-Refund Policy: There are no refunds for any paid subscriptions.
It is not possible to stop or prorate unused portions of a membership.
Automatic Renewal: At the conclusion of the term, subscriptions automatically renew.
You must cancel at least 24 hours prior to the renewal date in order to prevent further fees.
Payment Options: PayPal, credit cards, debit cards, and mail-in payments (checks or money orders) are all accepted on the online dating site.
Safety and Security
Fitness Singles uses a number of administrative and procedural safeguards to ensure a safe environment.
1. Administrative Safeguards
Quality Assurance Review: A committed staff manually reviews each new profile as well as particular profile updates, such as narrative modifications or photo uploads.
Review Timeline: In most cases, this screening process is finished in less than a day.
Prohibited Content: Profiles that include references to unlawful activity, abusive language, or direct contact information (phone, email, or address) are denied.
2. Technical and Data Security
Encryption and Access: To protect member data, the dating platform uses electronic and procedural safeguards that adhere to federal standards.
Information Access: Only certain workers who need it to perform job obligations or provide site services are able to access personal information.
Anonymity Protection: A user’s personal contact information is not disclosed during initial conversation through the site’s messaging system.
3. Reporting and Moderation
24/7 Monitoring: Scammers and fake profiles are identified and removed around the clock.
User Reporting: Members are urged to notify the quality assurance staff directly of any suspicious activity or offensive material so that it can be looked into.
Offender Removal: The profile of the offending user is usually deleted if a report is supported by evidence.
4. User Safety Recommendations
Members of the matchmaking dating platform are advised to adhere to common online dating safety guidelines:
Anonymity: Don’t put URLs, workplace information, or last names in your initial profiles.
Verification: To make sure the individual matches their profile, ask for several pictures taken in various conditions.
First Meeting: You should always arrange your own transportation and meet in a public area.
Customer Support on Fitness Singles
Fitness Singles’ customer service is mostly handled online, although customers sometimes have trouble contacting live agents.
Support Contact Methods
Online Contact Form: Using the Fitness Singles Contact Us site to file a ticket is the main method of getting help.
Direct Email: Users can email the support staff directly for particular technical problems, including photo upload failures, being sure to include their username in the subject line to evade spam filters.
Phone Support: (561) 422-9997.
Mailing Address: Fitness Singles, 257 S Shore Dr., Buffalo, NY 14219 is the address for formal correspondence.
Service Standards and Response Times
General Response Goal: The general response goal of the online dating service is to reply to emails within 24 to 48 hours.
Profile Moderation: All profile modifications and photo uploads are continuously monitored and reviewed by a quality assurance team, who usually finish reviews in less than a day.
The Verdict
The general opinion of Fitness Singles is very divided; it is an outdated dating platform that provides niche value for committed athletes but is heavily criticized for its technical dependability and corporate ethics.
The “Proceed With Caution” Verdict
Even though it is still one of the biggest communities for individuals who are health-conscious, it does have significant drawbacks that don’t go unnoticed by a considerable number of its users.
Best For: People in high-density urban locations between the ages of 35 and 85 who are seeking committed, long-term companions with similar athletic lifestyles, e.g., triathlons and marathon training.
Worst For: Users in smaller markets, people looking for a contemporary app-like experience (swiping), or people worried about complicated cancelation regulations and zombie (inactive) profiles.
Final Recommendation: Before submitting payment details, utilize the Fitness Singles Free Search to determine whether there are genuinely active, local individuals in your area.
Be ready for challenging customer service and a low-tech experience.