There’s so many ways to work out now that it’s hard to keep up. From classes inspired by Beyoncé to sessions that look more like Cirque De Soleil than a calorie-burning workout, many gyms, fitness studios or any other venues that welcome sweat are offering classes that will essentially trick you into melting your fat away. Sounds like a win, win and you need to figure out how to get yourself involved in some of these classes!
First, do not try this at home. There’s plenty of yoga studios that offer this acrobatic class. This is a total-body workout that combines yoga, Pilates, calisthenics and acrobatics to help decompress the spine, stretch, regenerate and strengthen the muscles and more. It is literally yoga, suspended in the air. And not to worry, the silks can hold up to 1000 pounds. Aerial yoga also helps clear the mind and relieves stress from the outside world. And the biggest perk? This class offers participants to treat themselves by lying in the hammock like a cocoon–it’s the most rewarding part.
2. Vixen Workout
These workouts are available in Miami and New York City. And honey, this workout will have you feeling yourself, a la Beyoncé and Nicki. The class mixes hip hop with cardio, sex appeal with sass and it makes for a whole lot of sweat. The best thing about the class is that it’s women only, so you can shake and sweat all you want without feeling self-conscious. You can burn up to 1,000 calories in this class and with moves that remind you of Ciara, Beyoncé and Janet, you’ll start to feel the vixen inside of you grow. Check out the hashtag #VixenArmy to get a taste!
3. Cycle Karaoke
This class is exclusive to Crunch gym. It’s exactly what it sounds like, spinning and singing karaoke. Many of us have no idea how to breathe when we’re working out and this class will keep your mind off of it while allowing you to sing at the top of your lungs at the same time. And while the singing doesn’t sound pleasant (what karaoke experience is on-key anyway?), the amount of sweat that’s sure to drip down your face will be plenty satisfying. The instructor takes requests, takes the mic and walks around the room with it, urging you to be the star. And not to mention, you’ll be spinning and we all know how tough that is.
4. Seductive Sweat Sessions
There’s pole dancing, strip tease, burlesque, belly dancing and more, there’s so many classes that are all about unleashing your inner Peaches (shoutout to Beyoncé). As a matter of fact, one of Beyoncé’s dancers (and a #TeamBeautiful fave) teaches her own seduction class in New York City and it’s totally worth taking! Learn moves to impress your man, while sweating away those extra calories you consumed.
5. Pon De Flo
There’s something so freeing about dancing. Crunch fitness (and we’re sure many other fitness locations) offers Pon De Flo–a Caribbean reggae dance class that combines popular island movements with cardio classics like high-knee runs, mountain climbers, burpees and more. The entire point of the class, other than sweating, is to let the music take over your body and erase whatever boundaries you’ve learned to place on yourself. It’s one of the most freeing dance classes there is.
What off-the-wall classes have you taken beauties?
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#Fitspiration: The Instagram Fitness Gurus You Should Follow
Source:Instagram @radexperience
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1. Fit For The 'Gram
Get ready to flex those thumbs and double tap like crazy beauties. The love you show me on Instagram is so RAD, however when I am not sharing my fun and sweaty life with you over at @radexperience, I am doing some double tapping of my own – drawing #Fitspiration from other sweaty brown girls around the world. So if you're looking for some muscle motivation too, then check out my 15 favorite fitness accounts.
Black Hollywood's trainer, but the world's favorite FitGirl. Jeanette Jenkins profile is packed with powerful quotes, nutrition tips, easy to follow exercises and the hottest fitness fashion from Nike (since she's an athlete for the infamous brand). I love how transparent she is in her posts, and come on, can we talk about those abs?! No wonder her Sexy Abs Cardio Sculpt video is such a hit.
Source:Instagram @massy.arias
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3. @massy.arias: Bilingual Workout Tips
Massiel Arias is so fit and fun that you'll have a hard time skipping your workout after peeping her posts. I love how she always plays dope music in her workout videos and the little dance at the end is my favorite. And although she left her New York roots to sweat in the good ol' California sun, her online coaching is available to us all via her website http://www.mankofit.com
Source:Instagram @twobadbodies
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4. @twobadbodies: Double The Sweaty Fun
Jennifer Forrester and Kaisa Keranen met on the track at the University of Washington and have been training together ever since. Their Instagram videos are so fun, functional and fashion forward (those matching outfits tho) and I love how they use minimal equipment – so don't be surprised if you instantly feel the need to do a burpee after watching one. Slay ladies!
Source:Instagram @natashahastings
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5. @natashahastings: Catch Her If You Can
My girl Natasha Hastings account is another one that will make you want to run to the gym. This Olympic, World and U.S. National Champion has one buff bod that will also make you want to spend all your cash at Under Armour (she's a brand athlete). However on and off the track, this diva's style is really what's going to have you checking Instagram all day! Her makeup and hair?! Girl.
Source:Instagram @fitfoodiele
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6. @fitfoodiele: One Healthy Momma
Don't mess around and go on Instagram while you're ovulating or hungry because El will have you messed up. I love following this mother of two adorable boys, wife, bikini competitor, pre/post natal trainer & wellness consultant, computer engineer, group fitness instructor, healthy E-cookbook author, fitness model, blogger, gymmer and fitness motivator! Yeah – and you missed your workout because…?
Source:Instagram @koyawebb
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7. @koyawebb: Namaste With This Beauty
I really want to be a yogi. Like really bad, so following bendy Black girls for inspiration to reach this goal is my favorite thing to do on Instagram. My first favorite yoga social media sista is Koya. As a trainer, holistic health coach and yoga teacher get ready to have your breath taken away looking at her gorgeous pics. Couple this with her inspirational captions and you'll be whipping your mat out in no time.
Source:Instagram @yogaracheal
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8. @yogaracheal: Kick It With Racheal
Well if you follow Koya, then chances are you probably get your #instayoga on with Racheal. They often team up and combine their strengths (pun intended) to show us what acro yoga is all about. Her online Skype lessons are perfect for those who don't have access to a studio on a regular basis, so kick it with Racheal at http://www.yogaracheal.com
Source:Instagram @spirituallyfly
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9. @spirituallyfly: Keep The Faith
My hair crush and yoga crush all wrapped in one – Faith Hunter is a global yoga instructor and philanthropist who's dedication to her practice is mesmerizing. She began her love affair with yoga in the early 90s as a way to cope as her beloved brother Michael was dying from a AIDS-related complication. Through meditation and mindfulness, Faith was able to release her fears and now shares her passion with the world.
Source:Instagram @kinkysweat
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10. @kinkysweat: Sweat It Out With Your Kinks Out
Speaking of hair crushes, another natural hair FitGirl you should follow is Alicia Archer – the fitness pro, dancer, aerialist and model behind the IG handle @KinkySweat. Her flexible physique will make you want to install a pole right in your living room (P.S. I did) or simply stretch yourself beyond your own limits. As a Michi ambassador, you'll also enjoy seeing how she styles this popular new fitness line.
Source:Instagram @_kariooo
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11. @_kariooo: Check Out Kario's Caring Profile
I stumbled upon Kario's profile about a year ago and my life has been forever changed. I love the thought she puts into her captions and the creativity behind her poses will make you want to do yoga every darn day. It is clear her practice is sacred and sincere, so piggy back off her passion for the mat in order to inspire your own.
Source:Instagram @gritbybrit
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12. @gritbybrit: A Southern Girl With True Grit
Brittani Rettig and I were connected through a mutual friend a little under a year ago, and at the time she was working as a management consultant by day and sweated her heart out as a fitness instructor by night. And since then, she has traded in her pumps to pump your muscles up at her revolutionary new fitness studio in Dallas, TX – GRIT Fitness. Her leap of faith inspires me daily so follow her like yesterday.
Source:Instagram @lajoy224
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13. @lajoy224: Everyone's Favorite Fitness Model
If you've picked up any of the top fitness magazines like Fitness, Women's Health, Shape etc. then you know this body and face. Lauren is a widely popular Wilhelmina Model and NYC trainer that is the epitome of both fierceness and fitness. When she is not in front of the camera, you can find Lauren pushing herself and others to the limit at Equinox and Tone House. Check her out on @lajoy224 and @chiselclub_byla
Source:Instagram @mynameisjessamyn
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14. @mynameisjessamyn: Size Doesn't Matter
I'll tell you what the fitness world needs more of – Jessamyn that's who. As a yoga enthusiast and self acclaimed "Fat Femme," this inspirational rockstar is a voice we all need to hear as a reminder to love our own bodies. Size doesn't matter, so if you're tired of seeing the same shape and size doing downward dog on the gram, then this is the beauty to follow.
Source:Instagram @ebonie_hoops
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15. @ebonie_hoops: Bring The Fun Back To Fitness
My waist hasn't seen a hula hoop since I was a tween, however after finding Ebonie's Instagram I just might hit up Toys R Us and snag a few. The way she handles this childhood toy to the beat of R&B songs (her Boyz 2 Men video is my fav) is such a great reminder that fitness should always be fun.
Source:Instagram @ashleyjoi
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16. @ashleyjoi: Such A Joy With Ashley Joi
This Nike Running beauty is such a joy to follow, I love tagging along her sweaty journey via double taps and you will too. Her motivational quotes are always on point and whether she's sweating or not her pics will make you want to get out there and create some sweaty fun of your own.
Source:Instagram @paparoxi
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17. @paparoxi: Faith, Food & Fitness
Not only is this beautiful woman a fitness expert, but she's got the faith to boot. She created the #5amClub to her fellow fitness fiends to rise before the sun and contribute to their faith or fitness by journaling, prepping food or anything you never have time for. Paparoxi has created a hub of inspiration and motivation that will keep you healthy physically and spiritually.
Source:Instagram/HerSweat
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18. @HerSweat: Badass Women Go Hard
One of the few fitness lifestyle sites geared toward women, Her Sweat's feed is jam-packed with exercise routines, easy-to-follow healthy recipes, quotes from fitness gurus, workout playlist ideas and much more.
Source:Instagram/CurlyandFit
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19. @GetCurlyandFit: Who says you can't workout and have fab hair?
Founded by Lexi of LexiWithTheCurls.com, Curly and Fit shows women that they can workout and maintain beautiful curly hair. Lexi populates the feed with fun workout ideas that help women pursue their goal of being healthy (NOT skinny), and inspiring transformation pics that will keep anyone motivated.
Hannah's passionate about working out and living a healthy lifestyle, and her energy is contagious. Besides sharing frame-worthy fitness pics of her and her beau in beautiful yoga poses, she includes video clips of her workout routines that makes exercise seem approachable and fun.
Source:Instagram/ChelseaLovesYoga
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21. @ChelseaLovesYoga: Yoga is just as mental as it is physical.
Chelsea's intricate yoga poses are just the beginning. She posts inspiring captions that encourage followers to live a peaceful and centered life while using her platform to give back through a yoga, literature and art camp she created for teenage girls.
Source:Instagram/ChinnyCo
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22. @ChinnyCo: Yogi On a Handstand
Famous for her yoga handstands, Chinny's toned yet curvy frame serves as the ultimate fitness motivation for her 14k plus followers. From back bends to her morning runs, she shows fans how to seamless integrate exercise routines into their everyday life.
Source:Instagram/GymHooky
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23. @GymHooky: No Gym? Ariel's Got You!
If you don't have a gym membership, or don't feel like venturing out, Ariel's got you covered. She offers effective home workouts, easy-to-follow nutrition tips and recipes, and regular fit challenges to help you reach your body goals.
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