Have y’all ever tried to Google “fitness”?
If you go to the image search bar, you will see that a bunch of White people come up. There is no way around it. You just scroll and scroll and all there is are White folks at the gym lifting weights and doing yoga.
The same thing happens when you put fitness in the search bar.
Society does know that Black people do work out, right?
Either way, the algorithms are not working out in our favor.
We have Black yogis, Black fitness trainers, Black weightlifters, Black runners, Black physical therapists and the list goes on and on but we aren’t a part of the conversation around fitness a lot of the time.
And, to be honest, I think that is super wack.
Our community suffers from a long list of health setbacks – diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, mental health issues. So, why is it that on our favorite social media sites and search engines, we still can’t find fitness experts who not only look like us but are willing to give us information to better ourselves?
I’m just going to say it.
We all aren’t White and skinny.
But, according to Google and Instagram, that’s what we are being taught that we need to be in order to be perceived as “healthy.” I think it’s about time that we raise up a few Instagram accounts of our people that are out there doing the damn thing – working out, creating content, and bettering their health in order to be an inspiration to others.
Ilya, @decolonizing_fitness
Ilya is a physical therapist assistant, medical exercise trainer, writer, and educator. Their instagram is devoted to promoting exactly what the Instagram handle is all about – decolonizing fitness. On their page, you will find content such as “Examples of Toxic Fitness Culture” and sessions dedicated to “Finding Pleasure in Purposeful Movement.” Their page also provides much needed commentary about strictly gendered spaces and classes in the fitness universe.
Cassandra, @coachcassfit
Do you love Afro beats? Do you love dancing? Do you need some new at home workouts?
Look no further than @coachcassfit! Her Instagram page features everything from dance workouts to quick ways to strengthen parts of your body by just working out at home! If you need a sense of community in this time, she has tons of challenges from the “Adore Your Core” challenge from challenges that encourage you to take a walk outside. Once COVID-19 is out of the way, I look forward to hitting up one of her classes in New York City.
Wendy + Jess, @foodheaven
Fitness and nutrition! It is all related. So, I don’t know about you but there are certain stereotypes that I’m more than ready for society to put to bed. Yes, we travel. Yes, we eat kale and drink green smoothies. If you are looking for some dope and melanated dieticians and diabetes educators, look no further than Wendy + Jess of @foodheaven. Their platform promotes “inclusive and accessible wellness.”
Their page has dope tips about how to have a balanced plate and easy smoothies recipes. Oh yeah, and they are definitely anti-diet. Plus, they have a podcast!
What are some other fitness Instagrams from community that you love?
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