Tinder, Bumble, how about CrossFit? Hong Kong couples share love stories related to fitness, not dating apps
- CrossFit couples Nina Wong and John Houston, and Kevin Lam and Patricia Yu, say a mutual love for fitness brought the first sparks of romance into their lives
- Common interests are a pillar of a healthy relationship, according to a study done by the Pew Research Centre, and fitness has become the norm for many modern couples
Nina Wong said she had an inkling South African John Houston wanted to ask her out but was still working the courage up to do it when they first met in 2016.
The two had been training together at CrossFit 852 in Hong Kong, and Wong, who is originally from the US, said Houston, a pilot with Cathay Pacific, started showing interest in her pretty early on.
“He wanted to ask me for coffee, but I think he thought it would be too friendly,” Wong, who works for HSBC, said. “I remember coming into the gym, but then he would always come around to chat with me, and I thought, ‘Everyone is so friendly here.’”
Houston said it was tough because Wong always seemed to be on the go, and his windows for chatting were small and fast.
“She was always rushing to and from the gym, she would come in to workout at lunch and then be gone so quickly,” he said.
Houston also started going to the lunchtime yoga class at the gym – even though he did not like yoga – because he knew Wong would be there. Finally, he could not wait any longer and bit the bullet. The two were friends, but Houston wanted more and one night while they were out with friends drinking at a bar, he made his move.
