The most popular alibis for cheating partners revealed

“I’m going to the gym” is the excuse we always hear cheating partners using on TV shows and in films.

As it turns out, it’s not just used in the lives of fictitious characters.

Illicit Encounters, which is basically a dating site for people who are already in relationships (yes, you read that correctly) surveyed 2,000 of its users to determine the most popular excuses used by cheaters.

Honestly, we were hoping for something a bit more creative. But, they do say the best lies are the simple ones and the top 10 list is pretty, er, simple.

READ MORE: Woman discovers Dad’s 20-year affair with aunt

Women’s top ten cheating excuses:

Going to the gym

Night out with the girls

Working late in the office

Socialising after work

Walking the dog

Shopping

Seeing relatives

Meeting best friend

Gone for a beauty treatment

Playing sport

Men’s top ten cheating excuses:

Watching football

Playing golf

Working late in the office

Socialising after work

Boys night out

Walking the dog

Going to the gym

Playing sport

Meeting best friend

Seeing relatives

READ MORE: How to tell if somebody is lying to you

Sports seem to feature quite heavily in this list, which makes us think that these people haven’t heard the saying couples who work out together, stay together.

Studies are showing that it doesn’t just improve your fitness, it improves your relationship, too.

Other common excuses include a night out with the girls/boys and working late in the office or socialising with work friends.

Recent research found that people who flirt with colleagues at work are “less stressed” than their un-flirty equivalent.

Interestingly, walking the dog made it onto both of the lists. Does that mean that poor old Bailey Doggington III is privy to the cheating?

READ MORE: Women are more attracted to men with beards

According to IllicitEncounters.com sex and relationship expert, Jessica Leoni, if your partner starts increasing their gym activity every night you have “every right to be suspicious”.

To hell with their charity run training, cheating is the only option.

“Gyms are hotbeds for affairs and people cheating on their partners” apparently, but it’s probably better to ask your partner if you suspect something untoward before jumping to conclusions.

If you’re in a trusting relationship it’s more than likely that going to the gym every night really is just going to the gym every night and not an excuse to have an affair (with or without the poor dog).

READ MORE: Insulting your partner could benefit your relationship

And hey, if you do find yourself with a wandering eye, here’s a wacky idea: call it quits on your relationship before entering into an affair.

Isn’t it just nicer all round if everybody’s able to get on with their lives without worrying that an innocent dog walk might turn into an illicit encounter?

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