20 Lady-Boss Fitfluencers You NEED to Follow on Instagram Now
You don't have to go far to score some serious fitness motivation. (Even if you're stuck at home.) Simply head to Instagram and get scrolling.
Quarantine has caused a major spike in Instagram fitness content as many gyms remain closed in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, according to Forbes. With stay-at-home orders in effect, people are getting more creative about how they workout, and fitfluencers (fit-influencers) are putting out better (and more!) content than ever before. From free daily yoga and fitness classes, to inspirational thoughts, nutritional tips and recipes, and Instagram Live discussions, these lady-boss fitfluencers are crushing it. So if you find yourself stuck in a rut, or want to clean up your feed and get back on track, follow these 20 badass athletes now. You're welcome.
Related: The 10 Most Influential Women in Spartan Race History
Female Fitfluencers Every Spartan Should Be Following on Instagram
1. Emily Skye
FOLLOW: @emilyskyefit
This no B.S. Aussie trainer has a quit wit, and pumps out free workouts like it's her job. (Okay, it is, but still.) Plus, she's currently pregnant, so she's tapped into prenatal fitness, sharing safe workouts for moms to be. Her workout videos tend to demo each exercise in depth so you can really nail it.
2. Mirna Valerio
FOLLOW: @themirnavator
Mirna Valerio is revolutionizing what's possible in the game of trail running for both BIPOC athletes and athletes who are not a size 0 (hint: that's most of us!). She uses her voice to talk about body image issues and racism, set fitness goals and eradicate negative self talk, and much more, inspiring women to get off the couch and give fitness a go. No matter what. In addition to several trail marathons and ultras, she's also finished a handful of obstacle course races, too.
3. Na Na
FOLLOW: @nanabwincess
Na Na lives and works in Malaysia running a travel blog alongside her fitness endeavors. She dishes out follow-along workouts, as well as beauty advice, recipes and travel tips. Consider her handle a one-stop shop for adventurers who embrace the wellness lifestyle.
4. Lindsay Webster
FOLLOW: @lindsaydawnwebster
Spartan Pro Lindsay Webster shares motivational inspiration for athletes who are serious about OCR (or want to be) straight from her training grounds in Canada. Whether it's a shot of her cresting a mountaintop, or her thoughts on using training to support mental wellness, Webster's approachable tone makes you want to strap on your kicks and get after it.
5. Callie Bundy
FOLLOW: @calliebundy
Callie Bundy is a fitness and football fanatic with her own training app that helps you track your nutrition and get back into shape. On top of her love for a good burger, she just had a baby last year and now shares wisdom from her postpartum-fitness journey as she experiences challenges and wins as a new mom.
6. Alyssa Hawley
FOLLOW: @alyssahawley14
This Spartan Pro hasn't had an easy go of it with injuries lately. But even so, Alyssa Hawley shares her inspiration and thoughts around injury prevention and recovery, and being an openly gay athlete in OCR. She uses her voice to talk about women's and LGBTQ rights, and her firsthand experiences to show just how important this kind of work really is, both on and off the course.
7. Lita Lewis
FOLLOW: @followthelita
Lita Lewis is a total badass. Not only does she have her own fitness app and athletic apparel company, but she's also an advocate for Black Lives Matter inspiring her audience to think about, and discuss, the role of BIPOC women in sports today. Her conversation starters couldn't be more important.
8. Jeanette Jenkins
FOLLOW: @msjeanettejenkins
Jeanette Jenkins is part of Hollywood's elite trainers for good reason. She's a fiesty fighter with a no-excuses attitude, and has trained Queen Latifah and Pink, among other celebs. In addition, she's a mom with a positive message to share, and posts the best do-anywhere core workout videos. If you've fallen off the fitness wagon, follow Jenkins to get right back on.
9. Nicole Mericle
FOLLOW: @nickledm
Spartan Pro Nicole Mericle is a fun one to follow because not only does she offer simple, butt-busting workouts, but also you get a behind-the-scenes glance at how she uses climbing to stay fit for OCR. Watch enough of her bouldering videos and you'll be building your own at-home hang wall in no time.
10. Heaven Colon
FOLLOW: @fittheaven
Spartan Spirit Award winner Heaven Colon used OCR to shed 200 lbs, beat depression and completely revolutionize her life. But it wasn't an easy journey, and she gets real about it on Instagram. Colon employs her platform to talk about the struggles and triumphs of transformation, and how with grit, determination and a lot of elbow grease, anything is possible.
11. Kayla Itsines
FOLLOW: @kayla_itsines
Kayla Itsines single-handedly built an empire of fitness lovers in search of a total-body transformation. She publishes regular workouts in her BBG Sweat program (Bikini Body Guides) and created a space where ladies can share their own before/after photos, seek support and connect with like minded women in the wellness world.
12. Maggie Cvetkovic
FOLLOW: @maggie_spartan_pro
Spartan Pro Maggie Cvetkovic reps Switzerland in OCR and currently lives in Singapore. She travels all around the world to compete in Spartan Races, and even though an MCL injury set her back a couple of months, she is tough as nails. After getting sick of sitting on the sidelines doing knee rehab, she made a snap decision to race a Beast (no hydration pack, no compression socks, no breakfast) and crushed it anyways. Talk about inspiration in action.
13. Diksha Gautham
FOLLOW: @dee_gautham
Diksha Gautham has leveraged her own transformational story to reach other women out there who struggle with body image and weight loss. You'll find tons of tips on weightlifting and strength training in her feed. Plus, she's an advocate for BIPOC athletes and a thought leader for how we can even out the huge disparities people of color face in getting access to healthy food.
14. Meghan Hayden
FOLLOW: @meghan_hayden_
Meghan Hayden is all about strength, cardio and kettlebells. She's an OCR athlete, trainer, and now co-inventor of Ladder Teams, a new fitness app launching June 15 which dishes up several workouts per week and provides direct one-on-one access to a coach. Cool, right? Consider this speed-dial feature the next big thing in digital fitness.
15. Demi Bagby
FOLLOW: @demibagby
Bodybuilder Demi Bagby has inspired millions with her own journey from couch to CrossFit, and now publishes weekly workouts on her YouTube channel from her home in San Diego, CA. Her positive, uplifting, can-do attitude helps shift people back into alignment with their goals. Plus, her workout instructions are thorough and easy to follow.
16. Emily Astiz-Black
FOLLOW: @emilyastiz
American Emily Astiz-Black is a Spartan Pro and SGX Coach who lives and trains in Singapore. In addition to the cardio and lifting that comes with OCR, she's super into yoga, using her practice to maintain mental clarity. Follow her posts for life lessons and a mind-body energetic upgrade.
17. Jessamyn Stanley
FOLLOW: @mynameisjessamyn
Jessamyn Stanley brings a raw, edgy authenticity to yoga teaching on social media. She's pro medicinal marijuana and CBD, offering regular 420-friendly practices on Instagram Live (if you're into that). She's also utterly hilarious and a dead-straight shooter when it comes to speaking her truth. Without holding back, she advocates for big. necessary change to address systemic racism in the yoga community—and the world in general. And her gorgeous, fearless, nearly-nude imagery inspires almost half a million people to embrace their own bodies, right where they're at.
18. Selena Watkins
FOLLOW: @selenawatkins
Selena Watkins is a dancer and choreographer who puts together energetic, fun-to-follow cardio workouts. Before she created her own dance company (launching soon), she crushed the stage on tour with Nicki Minaj, and danced for the NBA and Super Bowl. Follow her for creative ways to get your sweat on. Plus, she shares delish recipes featuring whole foods and bold flavors so you can take healthy meals to the next level.
19. Tally Rye
FOLLOW: @tallyrye
Tally Rye lives in London, and trains individuals and groups as an "anti-diet, weight-inclusive PT". She touts the benefits of exercise way beyond the physical, and shows her audience how to love fitness as a form of self care rather than punishment. In addition to running retreats and spin classes, she also co-hosts the podcast Fit & Fearless, featured on the BBC. Her realistic approach to wellness makes even the most skeptical, uncertain people convert to the active lifestyle.
20. Tamara Pridgett
FOLLOW: @tamsgoinham
Tamara Pridgett is an avid trail runner and lifter extraordinaire. Her feed mixes Mother Nature and gym workouts, as well as inspirational messages that empower women to carpe diem and get moving. She also just launched a podcast a few months ago called The First, which provides a platform for professional athletes to tell their stories. She interviews all walks of athletes, from Olympic triple jumpers to Yankees hitting coaches. So if you're looking to learn from a smart, diverse group of voices in the fitness space, this is it.