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30 Black Fitness Professionals To Break A Sweat With Today And Every Other Day

The fitness industry is wildly diverse as it should be, but it wasn't always this inclusive and we can always work to make it better.

Jennifer Kustanovich

Jun 10, 2020

The State University of New York at Stony Brook

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30 Black Fitness Professionals To Break A Sweat With Today And Every Other Day

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I will admit that I never focused on my instructors' skin colors before these past few weeks. I loved my go-to fitness instructors no matter what they looked like. But I realize now that it's incredibly important to bring recognition to the Black community, especially when society perceives yoga, Pilates, barre, and other health and wellness niches to be "rich white mom" activities.

What a shocker, society is wrong once again. The fitness industry is wildly diverse as it should be, but it wasn't always this inclusive and we can always work to make it better.

As a trainer, I meet so many other unique coaches and one story stuck with me. One of my friends shared that in high school, a friend of hers took her to a beloved Pilates class, and to her surprise, the instructor looked like her. After the class, she admitted, "I didn't expect her to be Black. I thought she was going to be an older white woman."

I never thought about it before, but after hearing this story, I realize how much of a positive impact it can make.

Here are 31 badass Black fitness gurus to follow and start breaking a sweat with.

1. Andrew Sealy

If you want to learn how to handstand, Andrew is your guy.

2. Jeanette Jenkins

Haven't you heard of The Hollywood Trainer Club and POPSUGAR's "Burn 600 Calories in a 60-Minute Workout With Jeanette Jenkins?"

3. Misty Copeland

Two fun facts:

1. In 2015, Misty became the first Black female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Can you believe it was only five years ago?

2. I wrote my college essay on this incredibly inspirational woman and one day I hope to meet her.

4. DJ Townsel

Anyone heard of The Titan Games?

5. Britany Williams

If you've never tried Pure Barre, I highly recommend it.

6. Yasmene

Check out her strengthening yoga flow on Saturdays at 10 AM EST.

7. Nwadno Emejulu

Nwando is a New York Pilates instructor that kicks ass and adds spice to every class.

8. Massy Arias

Massy is a health coach and the CEO of Tru Supplements.

9. Koya Webb

Three words: Get Loved Up.

10. Marcia Meade

Grab your mat for a perfect Pilates mat class.

11. Tiffany Rothe

Sweating but always smiling with Tiffany Rothe Workouts.

12. Deanna Robinson

She even owns her own Fab Body Factory.

13. Danielle Acoff

Her flows are so beautifully done, like wow.

14. Libby Christensen

In addition to her strong workouts, she has a ton of Black Lives Matter resources on her Instagram.

15. Chanel Brown

Lifestyle blogger turned fitspiration.

16. Toni Mitchell

Toni's YouTube channel is stock full of workouts you won't regret sweating through.

17. Alicia Archer

I'm mesmerized by her backbends.

18. Ajahzi Gardner

Check out her Instagram for a bunch of workouts that burn in all the right places.

19. Brandon Carter

Brandon turned his love for fitness into a business that helps other coaches succeed.

20. Briana

One hot mama and founder of Mind Over Muscle Fitness.

21. Brittne Jackson

Someone say booty?

22. QiQi H.

She is the Qii to fitness.

23. Tie Simpson

Founder and CEO of Sisters of Yoga, Tie knows how to recognize and bring together underrepresented communities.

24. Estelle Archer

Estelle's smile takes my stress away just like that.

25. Jacy Cunningham

Want more to drool over? Check out The Jacy Method.

26. Laruga Glaser

I fell in love with her Ashtanga Primary Series on Alo Moves.

27. Phyllicia Bonanno

Check out her sound baths to explore the light within yourself.

28. Jonas Diaz

Jonas is an instructor for SoulCycle and welcomes all to join #CAMPJONASTY.

29. Naya Rappaport

Naya is a movement advocate, plus she has a really cute dog.

30. Tori Katongo

Tori is also an instructor at SoulCycle and knows exactly how to make you sweat.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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30 Black Fitness Professionals To Break A Sweat With Today And Every Other Day

The fitness industry is wildly diverse as it should be, but it wasn't always this inclusive and we can always work to make it better.

1. Andrew Sealy

2. Jeanette Jenkins

3. Misty Copeland

4. DJ Townsel

5. Britany Williams

6. Yasmene

7. Nwadno Emejulu

8. Massy Arias

9. Koya Webb

10. Marcia Meade

11. Tiffany Rothe

12. Deanna Robinson

13. Danielle Acoff

14. Libby Christensen

15. Chanel Brown

16. Toni Mitchell

17. Alicia Archer

18. Ajahzi Gardner

19. Brandon Carter

20. Briana

21. Brittne Jackson

22. QiQi H.

23. Tie Simpson

24. Estelle Archer

25. Jacy Cunningham

26. Laruga Glaser

27. Phyllicia Bonanno

28. Jonas Diaz

29. Naya Rappaport

30. Tori Katongo

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

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