One of the key issues we see in workout culture is the lack of representation. Many of the advertised programs feature white women—which isn’t necessarily a problem, except it doesn’t show a range of trainers (or culturally relevant bodies, music, and styles) in the videos or classes they produce. It can be very discouraging to have to type something along the lines of “Black women workout videos” in order to get results.
Going to the gym isn’t something everyone can afford or has the time to fit into their busy schedule, but luckily a lot of health, fitness, and workout programs are online and a lot even offer a free alternative. These Black fitness YouTubers and their videos are a great way to ease into that (repeated) New Year’s resolution of getting into shape.
Simeon Panda
Of all of the Black fitness YouTubers we’ve mentioned, Simeon has the largest following. At more than two million subscribers, Simeon has been dominating the YouTube fitness game since 2006. Although he has a bodybuilding physique, his workout videos are beginner-friendly. He shows off low-impact versions of his intense workouts, too, so you don’t have to be intimidated by his regimen.
Juice & Toya
These fitness trainers are a couple who focus their channel around workouts that are accessible to everyone and nutrition. LaToya Johnson & Julius White create quick 15-20 minutes interval-style workouts with modifications. “Our business, One Body LA, is a personal training business that strives to train the body as a whole,” said the couple. “We would love for the world to know that One Body LA is a brand about taking care of your ONE body, and we realize that this path can look different for every individual body.”
Brittne Babe
Her channel offers fitness tips, workout routines, and recipes. Her most workout challenge is a “21-Day Challenge” with a new challenge each week. The program entices people to complete it by offering over $5000 in cash and prizes by completing the challenge of the week. There is a small fee to join the challenge, but it is a “no gym required” workout.
Koboko Fitness
Kola Olaosebikan founded Koboko Fitness. This Black female fitness guru is all about the HIIT workouts, ab sculpting, and booty building. “My best advice for keeping both a strong body and mind is to really enjoy what you do,” says Olaosebikan. “Don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. Once you find what works for you, stick to that routine, develop it over time and you’ll get to the point where this becomes an overall lifestyle.”
Lita Lewis
Lita Lewis has been a dominant force in personal fitness for years and she continues to serve up health and wellness jewels to all her Instagram followers which total nearly half a million. Knowing that folks are often cooped up in the house with little to no equipment, Lewis walks you through workouts that are 10 minutes or less but still offers a powerful impactful.
Rachael Okesola
Rachael Okesola is a young professional who turned her passion into an online success. With Afrifitness, she built a community of dozens of thousands of followers internationally, hooked to her dance work-outs on African music. The Afrifitness training style incorporates various techniques including African Dance, Resistance Training, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) as you move to the powerful beats of African music.
Massy Arias
Massiel “Massy” Indhira Arias is the exuberant certified personal trainer, formerly known as Mankofit, who is changing lives and inspiring a new generation of trainers. In addition to easy-to-follow workout routines that can be done at home before you sign on to that work from home Zoom conference, Arias also serves up recipes to go along with your evening home-cooked meal. “I one day hope to influence a new generation of trainers to teach people a lifestyle instead of a quick way to get a bikini body,” says Arias on her website. “I want to teach people to fully believe that being healthy really is being happy.”
Source
Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies. She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
