The world of fitness has evolved significantly over the years, and with it, so have the faces representing it. The historically whitewashed wellness industry has often excluded Black women from the conversation around fitness and health. Rather than fit into the mold of a growing, white-dominant industry, Black fitfluencers are challenging and redefining the fitness industry as we know it.
With Black History Month almost here and wellness on our minds, it’s more important than ever to expand the lens of the fitness space to celebrate Black fitness influencers. As the Black fitness community continues to gain well-deserved recognition, so do Black-owned activewear brands.
With different body types and different exercise interests in mind, these fitness phenoms turned influencers are building a fitness industry that focuses on body-positivity, strength-building, and wellbeing, and more importantly, one that celebrates and includes the Black community.
Now that it’s spring, some people are deep cleaning their homes and taking a more introspective look into their self-care and fitness routines. Shifting our mindset to incorporate new fitness routines and finding the inspiration to do so may be daunting, but there are guides on social media that can help you along the way without judgment.
Although we’re recovering as a society from COVID-19, some of us still feel more comfortable working out from the comfort and safety of our homes. The pandemic has boosted interest in at-home fitness and overall wellness, with searches for the term virtual wellness up 151% to last year. Now, we have social media to turn to when discovering new workouts and fitness practices.
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For years there’s been an uptick in social media influencers. Today, Black fitness influencers harness social media to offer niche programs tailored to diverse needs. The rise of fitness influencers online comes with diverse perspectives, workout styles, and of course, Black women leading the helm of this movement. From pilates (reformer and mat) to cardio enthusiasts and gentle yoga practitioners, these fitness influencers offer various alternatives to traditional workouts.
Let's explore some of these inspiring figures who are making a difference in the fitness world. Whether you're into yoga, running, weight lifting, or pole dancing, there is someone you can relate to on this list. These women also represent a variety of body shapes and sizes, because there's no one-size-fits-all rulebook to fitness. Of course, the most important thing is finding a routine that fits your lifestyle and keeps you energized. And these pros will give you plenty of ideas for new workout moves to try.
Meet the Influencers
- Jeanette Jenkins: Founder of The Hollywood Trainer Club, Jeanette has over 30 years of experience as a trainer and health coach. Raised by a single mother, she found solace in sports. Fast forward to today, she strives to help everyone find the athlete within themselves by sharing quick workouts on her Instagram Live. After recently collaborating with Apple to create a Fitness Walk and with over 11K average weekly searches for her name, Jeanette’s influence is the one leading this space.
- Sloane Stephens: With 500K Instagram followers, up-and-coming tennis pro Sloane Stephens is making a name for herself. At Wimbledon in 2018, she achieved a career-best ranking of №3 in the world. Her avid fans follow her every step of the way and often join in on her Instagram workouts. In addition to showing followers that perfect tennis form, she’s passionate about her foundation that inspires underprivileged girls to dream big on and off the court.
- Jessamyn Stanley: Body-positive yogi, author, podcaster, and more, Jessamyn Stanley helps her students move past mental and emotional barriers, just as she’s broken so many barriers in the yoga industry. This February 2021 Cosmopolitan cover star also founded The Underbelly: a community for everyone overlooked and underserved by the wellness industry. A firm believer in upcycling, she also crafts her own yoga props made out of anything that is lying around the house.
- Lita Lewis: Born in LA but raised in Sydney, Australia, Lita has traveled the world motivating people to reach their goals. Her African American and Samoan ancestry encouraged her to break into the fitness space when she felt there was not enough representation for Black women. What can’t Lita Lewis do? She tackles motherhood, wellness, marriage, and fitness themes on her Instagram platform, proving to be an authentic lifestyle maven. This bodybuilder contestant turned fitness coach is known for her Ab Chiseler program, in addition to advocating for body-positive athletes as she owns clothing brand Thick Athletics.
- Ally Love: Peloton instructor turned wellness coach and founder of the Love Squad, Ally Love empowers followers to reclaim their lives by facilitating honest conversations. Through her Instagram segment The Basics of Bossing Up, Ally discusses tangible takeaways for everyday life. A Brooklyn Nets host, TEDx speaker, Adidas Global Ambassador, and model, Love now has a devoted 535K Instagram follower base and growing. On her feed, you can find exercise ideas that you can do at home or in the gym. She's also got amazing style on and off the bike.
- Natasha Hastings: As a 2x Olympic Gold Medalist in Track and Field, Natasha Hastings is as fit as it gets. On her feed, she often highlights her favorite fitness gear and her Under Armour partnership. She also promotes her vegan beauty brand 400M Diva Collection, named after her Olympic event. She created a foundation to encourage girls to become women of confidence in life and sport.
- Sasha Exeter: Canadian blogger Sasha Exeter brings equal parts HIIT and handbags with a feed focused on both fitness and fashion. As a former athlete turned global brand marketer and entrepreneur, Exeter founded So Sasha, a fitness, fashion, and lifestyle blog, where she shares her experience finding refuge in exercise to overcome two chronic illnesses. She is more than just your typical fitness influencer and has partnered with brands like Nike, Clinique, and Jo Fresh Active.
- Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts: Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is a Peloton Yoga instructor and Lululemon ambassador who makes classes accessible for all body types and wants to challenge the idea of who can be a fitness instructor. She received her doctoral degree in Education Studies from Emory University after researching the connections between literacy development and yoga. She founded the Yoga, Literature, and Art Camp at Spelman College Museum of Fine Art.
- Chrissy King: Passionate about achieving racial equity in the fitness space, fitness coach Chrissy King welcomes and empowers individuals from all backgrounds to feel welcome in her Body Liberation Project. She encourages her 70k Instagram followers to exercise and move. Her mission is to help people embrace their bodies just how they are without emphasizing the idea of “fixing” their bodies through weight loss.
- Gina Danza: With 60K Instagram followers, Gina Danza is an outdoor photographer that is expanding outdoor fitness to include the Black community. After spending weekends hiking in national parks, she quit her corporate job to capture moments in the great outdoors. As an outdoor enthusiast who believes being in nature creates a unique sense of growth, she strives to increase Black representation in nature and beyond.
The Rise of "Toxic Gym Culture"
Black-Owned Activewear Brands
From Lukafit’s “squat-proof” bodysuit to Melt Fit’s assortment of eye-catching styles that range from size S to 3X, Black-owned activewear brands offer a wide array of products for every one of your fitness needs.
In the 1990s, Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo® Body Shape tapes were a household staple. Families gathered around their TVs, sweating through high-energy routines that blended martial arts with cardio.
Interested in developing a running practice or training for an upcoming marathon? Latoya has you covered.
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Camai Brandenberg, the founder & lead instructor of Embody Pilates, is a Los Angeles-based pilates and yoga instructor with over 800+ hours of experience.
It is important to remember that SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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