7 fitness influencers who will inspire you to get moving
At-home workouts, diet tips and more, straight from the ‘gram
Dog videos, cat memes, Tom Hiddleston, and people playing with slime — for the soul. Photo essays, news updates and IGTV debates — for the mind. Recipes, table flat lays and mukbang — for the stomach. Instagram has taken over our lives.
But when it comes to fitness, the closest we get is swiftly swiping away from ads for gym equipment.
A study has found that much like in our diets, and work to life ratio, our Instagram feeds need to be balanced too.
This study was conducted (by me) on my phone, under my covers while trying to save myself from my cat’s fit of rage. Regardless of the questionable credibility of the research, Instagram is home to a variety of fitness influencers giving you access to workouts that would ordinarily cost an arm, a leg, ( and for you to actually leave your home).
From easy home workouts to sharing struggles of juggling roles of motherhood and work, to tips for eating healthier and loving yourself, these fitness influencers are sharing their hacks to inspire you to get on your own wellness journey.
We curated a list of our favourite fitness influencers to follow — so whether you’re a fitness noob or an expert, get ready to practise Pilates like a pro, get flexible with Yoga and even bend it like Beckham (David Beckham’s personal trainer is on the list).
Fitness influencers who will inspire you to maybe, hopefully, possibly work out
Cassey Ho (@blogilates): to meet your goals while on a schedule
Ho started her YouTube channel Blogilates in 2009, and since then has gone on to develop a strength and choreography-focused form of pilates called POP Pilates, PIIT28 that combines pilates with core strengthening exercises with elements of intense cardio, and founded activewear brand called POPFLEX Active.
The fitness fiend aims to make healthy living less intimidating by offering goal-oriented fitness solutions that are not overwhelming or intimidating.
Head to her Instagram feed for easy at-home workouts, healthy recipes, exercises to combat stress and a lot more.
The best part? Her workouts are time efficient as well as super effective.
Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala): to work out like a star
Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt and a host of other Bollywood celebrities look to Karachiwala for fitness inspiration — and with good reason.
Her Instagram manages to turn your cushy couch into a makeshift gym and her healthy treats make clean eating seem that much more appealing.
Karachiwala has been a fitness instructor for over 26 years, co-authored Sculpt and Shape: The Pilates Way
and is also the founder of a fitness studio called Body Image.
Alexa Jean Hunt (@alexajeanfitness): to accept your body for what it is
Aside from being an Instagram sensation, Hunt has managed to inspire mothers world over to take charge of their health and wellbeing, and show their body the love, patience, and kindness it deserves.
Her feed includes home workouts, and addresses the struggles of being a sleep-deprived parent, and insecurities surrounding body image. Her squish-worthy children’s appearances mid-workout are just an added bonus.
“As much as it’s my job to motivate you, I also believe it’s my job to be relatable and honest. Our society has put this idea in our heads that women have to bounce right back after having a baby, but that’s typically just not realistic. I have more stretch marks and belly rolls and that’s perfectly normal and okay,” said Hunt in an interview to Cosmopolitan.
Hunt founded Alexa Jean Fitness as a resource for women and new mothers to explore the world of fitness, which has grown to become a multi-platform health and fitness movement.
She has also founded Bodē by Lex, an app that offers fitness inspiration and solutions in the form of regimes, recipes, challenges and more.
Shona Vertue (@shona_vertue): to bend it like Beckham, and flex like Wonder Woman
“An Australian badass with a good ass,” reads her website. We agree. The badass has served as a trainer for football star David Beckham and the cast of Wonder Woman.
Her form of fitness combines yoga, strength training and cardio, for a routine that benefits overall health while focusing on mobility.
This new-age instructor’s Instagram breaks down yoga poses, helping you make the most of the workout. “Yoga teachers don’t always have the time to go through these things while in a 45-minute class, but they’re really important aspects of a posture that will help you to get the benefits from a pose,” she writes.
Vertue has also authored a book titled The Vertue Method: A Stronger, Fitter, Healthier You – in 28 Days.
Charlee Atkins (@charleeatkins): to make sure you never slack off
If being in a gym packed with sweaty people is not your thing then Atkins’s Instagram most definitely will be. Atkins is a certified personal trainer and the founder of Le Sweat, a platform that gives you the perks of having a personal trainer without ever having to leave home. (Score for introverts)
Atkins’s Instagram workouts are interest-specific – think specific exercises to help people who love cycling, yoga, running, travelling, running and more.
A great example of her unique approach is her video about making the most of hotel gyms. This Instagram account will ensure that you have no reason to slack off.
Kayla Itsines (@kayla_itsines) : to start SWEATing
In 2017, Itsines was named the top fitness influencer by Forbes. Today, the multi-hyphenate has built a fitness empire from scratch and is helping women around the world meet their fitness goals with the utmost ease.
Her brainchild, the Sweat app is believed to be the world’s largest female fitness community. The app lets you choose from their wide selection of at-home workouts — from high-intensity plyometric training to lower intensity, low-impact workouts.
Itsines keeps her Instagram followers on their toes with her #SweatChallenges, which ultimately help you gauge your fitness level and track your progress. Just another reason for those competitive Charus to follow Itsines.
Jessamyn Stanley (@mynameisjessamyn): to inculcate self-love while you sweat
Stanley’s feed is a crash course in self-love. Her aim is to encourage people to ask themselves “How do I feel?” instead of “How do I look?”
“Yoga is very helpful in that it creates a road to be able to understand that we are much more that our physical bodies and there has to be an integration of the mind and the body to have a spiritual connection,” said Stanley in an interview with Seventeen magazine.
Stanley’s approach to fitness involves using vinyasa flow yoga to meet not just your physical goals, but overcome emotional and mental barriers too. The body positivity advocate has also authored a book titled Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body.
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