The health and fitness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and is projected to reach over $200 billion by 2030. This industry demonstrates strong potential to attract a broader audience, especially those who are looking to improve their physical well-being.
There are various reasons why people are investing so much in their health and fitness these days. One of the most notable reasons is the awareness that health issues are costly. When you fall ill, hospital bills can get expensive, especially in countries that do not have widespread national health coverage.
Social media is another reason for the increased interest in wellness. People often see other social media users posting training photos or videos on their feeds and, in turn, want to look better themselves.
Many people are making the resolution to become more fit, but they need support to stay committed to the objective. Health and fitness influencers have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people looking to these influencers for motivation in maintaining their personal wellness.
In this article, we will explore the reasons why fitness influencers are so impactful, how they cater to various niches, and the benefits of partnering with them for your brand marketing efforts. We will also highlight the top health and fitness influencers to watch out for, and how Viral Nation can accelerate your influencer marketing journey.
Why are Health and Fitness Influencers Impactful?
Fitness influencers motivate people to achieve their fitness goals and help their audience adopt a long-term wellness resolution. But why are they so influential? Why do these creators make a strong impact on their respective fitness communities?
Here are a few of the primary reasons:
Role Models
Fitness influencers are seen as role models not only for their personal fitness achievements but also because they share genuine evidence and results that back their claims. Showcasing the benefits of their routines and discipline inspires followers to work toward a similar level of wellness and confidence. Many of their followers look up to their influencers’ physiques as a source of motivation, striving to reach a comparable level of health and fitness.
Additionally, fitness influencers use positive reinforcement, engaging with followers through comments, messages, and live sessions, to help their communities set and stick to their goals. Through their influence, they foster a supportive environment that empowers followers to make sustainable lifestyle changes.
Authentic Fitness Content
Fitness influencers often share a wide range of workout routines on social media, from treadmill sessions to strength training. This content is appealing because it provides accessible guidance and inspiration to followers of all fitness levels. But their influence extends beyond just posting their workouts, as these influencers frequently document their journeys to build healthy habits, like improved nutrition or balanced lifestyle routines.
By highlighting the challenges and commitment involved in reaching their wellness milestones, they reassure followers that hard work truly pays off. This genuine content creates a sense of camaraderie and community, helping fitness enthusiasts feel supported and motivated as they pursue their own goals.
Thought Leaders
Health-focused followers are drawn to fitness influencers because they see them as reliable sources of knowledge on wellness, often offering insights on new industry trends, proper exercise techniques, and practical nutrition advice. These creators simplify complex health topics and present them in an engaging way that makes wellness accessible and appealing.
Additionally, their confident delivery adds to their credibility, turning potentially dense topics into actionable advice that feels approachable. It’s a relatability that builds trust, encourages followers to apply these recommendations to their routines, and reinforces the influencers’ role as trusted wellness mentors.
Accessibility
Many fitness influencers offer practical workout routines that don’t require a gym membership or costly equipment, making fitness more accessible to everyone. They also share affordable, nutritious meal plans that are easy to follow, providing their audience with valuable tools for healthier living.
For many, working out alongside these influencers has inspired lasting, healthy habits. By making fitness activities and healthy eating more accessible, these influencers help people from all backgrounds embrace wellness in a sustainable way.
Community
Influencers help their followers feel connected in their wellness journey by openly sharing their struggles and achievements. This transparency fosters a strong bond, as followers see their goals and challenges reflected in the influencers’ own experiences. Fitness then becomes a shared journey, with exercises and meal plans feeling like a team effort.
Another appealing element of these communities is that followers can connect with other health enthusiasts through various interactive channels. For example, they can engage with each other in comment threads under influencers’ posts. Additionally, many influencers host fitness challenges, where followers participate using special hashtags and even have a chance to win prizes. Through these shared experiences and challenges, followers find motivation and a sense of community, further transforming their wellness journey into a collective, uplifting effort.
Multichannel
As health and fitness influencers grow in popularity, many extend their impact beyond social media posts. They branch out into podcasts, recipe books, workout apparel lines, and even launch their own fitness apps. These products are often met with enthusiasm, as followers eagerly seek new ways to engage with their favorite influencers.
A notable example is Kayla Itsines, a fitness influencer who has built a strong community among active women, including mothers. As a mother herself, Itsines resonates with this audience by sharing relatable fitness journeys. She co-founded Sweat, a subscription-based platform offering a comprehensive approach to various fitness goals. Within the app, she and other expert trainers provide tailored programs to help subscribers achieve their health objectives.
Learn how community-centric strategies drive engagement and ROI
Should Brands Partner with Health and Fitness Influencers?
Now influencer marketing is established, health and fitness brands should look to collaborate with influencers in this niche. These creators not only boast large followings but also foster strong engagement within their communities, making them impactful partners.
Often more relatable than professional athletes, health and fitness influencers tackle everyday challenges, like getting back in shape post-childbirth or building strength for desk-bound professionals. Their followers trust their advice on workouts and products, thanks to the genuine, relatable content they share.
This authenticity builds credibility, encouraging followers to try products recommended by these influencers, confident that they’re receiving honest insights. For brands, aligning with these trusted figures opens doors to a loyal and highly engaged audience.
Top Health and Fitness Influencers
As the health and fitness industry continues to grow, so does the influence of prominent figures in this space. Here are three top health and fitness influencers who have made a significant impact on social media, inspiring their followers to pursue healthier lifestyles and achieve their fitness goals.
Steph Grasso
Steph Grasso is a Registered Dietitian and social media influencer with over 2.5 million followers across her TikTok and Instagram accounts. She creates nutritional content to educate and inspire her audience on how to make healthier lifestyle changes and enjoy their time in the kitchen.
@stephgrassodietitian Glowing up veggies until you eat them again #glowup #veggies
Steph is known for delivering digestible TikTok videos that educate viewers on balanced eating and lifestyle. Using her expertise and comedic approach, she provides evidence-based nutrition advice and debunks trending nutrition myths. Steph is well-known for her grocery guides and meal prep tips, helping many of her followers develop a healthier relationship with food.
Kayla Itsines
Kayla Itsines is one of the most popular health and fitness influencers globally, with over 16 million followers on Instagram and 941K on TikTok. She rose to fame through her fitness ebook series “Bikini Body Guides” (now called High Intensity with Kayla) and her nutrition planning and workout app, “Sweat with Kayla”.
Kayla has expanded her offerings to include Low Impact with Kayla and a Post-Pregnancy program, remaining inclusive and supportive of individuals at various stages of their health and fitness journey.
@kayla_itsines Drop 2 of my capsule with @P.E Nation is available online now 🔥🔥 #penation #patnership #workout
Michelle Hong
Coach Michelle is a global coach and choreographer whose mission is to make figure skating accessible to every one of her 1.2 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Michelle’s content ranges from skating tips and fitness must-haves to wellness advice and more.
@coachmichelle Want to increase your confidence? ⛸️💞 Click the link in bio to learn how! #iceskater #figureskater #coachmichellehong #iceskating #figureskating #iceskatingtiktok #figureskatingtiktok #skatingcoach #figureskatingcoach #coachmichelleacademy #skatingceo #askcoachmichelle #cmastretchedition #skating #skater #loopjump #skatingrink #tiktokpartner
Her impact goes beyond social, as she’s been recognized by major media outlets like Good Morning America, Yahoo! News, and Forbes. An influential figure in the health and fitness community, Michelle continues to inspire her followers to stay active and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Leverage Health and Fitness Influencers with Viral Nation
From delivering accessible wellness tips to inspiring lifelong health journeys, fitness influencers turn everyday routines into powerful motivation. Viral Nation’s influencer network connects your brand with the voices that drive real change in wellness, building trust and loyalty with audiences who seek authentic health guidance.
