Trust and Safety on Fitness Date UK

Before you meet

Most people on any dating site are exactly who they say they are. A few are not, and a little caution early on makes it easy to spot them.

• Keep chats on the site at first. Our support team can only look into conversations that happen here. Be wary of anyone who pushes to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or text within the first few messages.
• Look for consistency. Does their story hold together? Do the photos match the person they describe? Small contradictions about where they live or what they do are worth noticing.
• Suggest a video call. A short call before meeting is normal and sensible. Someone who repeatedly refuses, or whose camera is always "broken", may not be who they claim.
• Search their photos. A reverse image search can show whether a profile photo has been taken from somewhere else online.
• Take your time. There is no deadline. If someone pressures you to meet before you are ready, that tells you something.

Spotting fake profiles and scams

Romance scams cause real financial harm in the UK, and they follow familiar patterns. Watch for:

• Requests for money, gift cards, cryptocurrency or help with a "temporary" problem, however convincing the story.
• Someone who says they work overseas, on an oil rig, in the military or as a contractor abroad, and cannot meet any time soon.
• Declarations of strong feelings very early, before you have met.
• Links to investment opportunities or "trading platforms".
• Profiles with very few details, professional-looking photos and generic messages that could be sent to anyone.

Never send money to someone you have not met, and be cautious even when you have. If you think you are being targeted, stop replying and report the profile to our support team.

First dates outdoors

Active first dates are one of the best things about meeting through a fitness site, and they need a little extra planning.

• Choose busy, well-known places. A popular park, a main riverside path or a staffed climbing centre is better than a remote trail for a first meeting.
• Go in daylight. Save sunrise summits and evening runs for when you know each other.
• Keep it short. An hour's walk and a coffee is plenty. You can always plan a big day out next time.
• Know the route yourself. Do not rely on your date to navigate, and make sure your phone is charged.
• Arrange your own transport. Travel there and back independently, so you can leave whenever you want.
• Tell a friend. Share where you are going, who you are meeting and when you expect to be back. Many phones let you share your live location for a set time.

Meeting indoors

If you meet in a café, bar or gym, the same principles apply. Pick a place you know, stay in public areas, keep an eye on your drink and do not feel obliged to go anywhere else afterwards. If anything feels wrong, leave. You do not need a reason.

Protecting your details

Your personal information is never shown on your profile, and you choose what to share. Until you have built trust, we suggest holding back:

• Your surname, home address and workplace.
• The exact times and places you train regularly. "I run in Heaton Park" is fine; "I am at the north gate every Tuesday at 6am" is not.
• Fitness app data. Public activity maps on running and cycling apps can reveal where you live. Check the privacy settings and hide the start and end points of your routes.
• Photos that show your street, house number or car registration.

Reporting concerns

If a profile or message worries you or breaks the rules, stop replying and report your concerns to our support team, who can review the account.

Report anyone who asks for money, sends abusive or sexual messages you did not want, appears to be underage, uses someone else's photos or makes you feel unsafe.

UK help and resources

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

• Action Fraud: the UK's national reporting centre for fraud, including romance scams. Call 0300 123 2040 or report online.
• Victim Support: confidential help for anyone affected by crime, whether or not it was reported to the police.
• Police Scotland and PSNI: report romance fraud in Scotland or Northern Ireland through your local police on 101.

Our policies

Our terms of use, privacy policy, cookie policy and anti-slavery statement explain how the site works and how your data is handled.

Safety for LGBTQ+ members

Everyone deserves to date safely. If you are LGBTQ+, the same advice applies, and you may also want to be careful about what you share about your identity until you trust someone. You can contact our support team about any harassment, and in the UK hate crime can be reported to the police or through organisations such as Galop.

Group activities as a safe second step

If you are still unsure after a first date, consider meeting at a busy group event such as a parkrun or a club social. It keeps things relaxed, there are plenty of people about, and it shows you how your date behaves around others.

Looking after your wellbeing

Dating can bring knock-backs as well as good news. If you are feeling low, take a break, train for the joy of it and come back when you are ready. Your worth does not depend on a reply.

If something goes wrong

If a date turns out badly, it is not your fault. Get yourself somewhere safe, talk to someone you trust and report the member to us. If a crime has taken place, contact the police. Keep messages and screenshots, because they can help any investigation.

For more advice on outdoor first dates, read our active date ideas guide. To learn how the site works, visit how it works.

Trust your instincts

Most bad experiences start with a small feeling that something is off. A story that changes, a push to meet somewhere quiet, a request that makes you uneasy. Listen to that feeling. You can end a chat or a date at any point, and you never have to justify it.

Frequently asked questions

Is online dating safe in the UK?

For most people, yes, especially when you follow simple steps: keep chats on the site at first, video call before meeting, meet in public, tell a friend and keep your money to yourself.

How do I spot a fake profile?

Watch for very few details, model-like photos, stories about working abroad, refusals to video call, early declarations of love and any request for money. A reverse image search can also reveal stolen photos.

What should I do if I feel unsafe?

Leave the situation, get somewhere public and call 999 if you are in danger. Then report the member to our support team so they can review the account.

Is it safe to have an outdoor first date?

Yes. Pick somewhere busy and familiar, go in daylight, keep it brief, travel independently and let a friend know.