Fitness & Exercise Blogs UK Top 10
The Top 10 Fitness & Exercise blog ranking was last updated 08/01/2020.
Leading the pack in the race for the top spot in UK fitness and exercise blogs is Charlie of The Runner Beans. First place is a cinch for this Henley on Thames-based fitness fan, who has amassed a healthy following across social media. Having completed her first marathon back in April 2012, Charlie is aiming to run in all of the Marathon Majors (she’s already ticked off New York, Paris and Berlin) and blog about her journey. It’s not all easy jogs and cool running(s) for Charlie, though – self-admittedly not a ‘natural runner’, this blogger shares all the challenges of training and tips for success alongside the rush of reaching the finish line. A great place to start if you’re beginning your own fitness journey this year.
2. Carly Rowena
No-nonsense personal trainer and fitness blogger Carly is ready to help her followers with their fitness quandaries, featuring answers to ‘How long did it take you to get visible abs?’ and ‘How can I lose weight?’ upfront and direct on her About page. Carly is honest and doesn’t promise any unrealistic shortcuts – ‘always be realistic with what your body is capable of and remember abs are not everything, it’s about being the best version of you’. Carly shares advice on more than just fitness, also covering food, beauty, family, travel and fashion – a full workout programme for becoming the best version of yourself for 2020.
Keeping things simple but professional when it comes to keeping healthy is fitness professional and blogger Elle. With a decade of experience in sports development, leisure management, group exercise and personal training (as well as a raft of related qualifications) Elle knows her way around the gym and the outdoors, as well as the latest technology tracking your reps/miles/punches/progress. You can also find a resources section with how to prepare for races, running 10km and stretching (that’s one we can do! Though perhaps after tea and a biscuit or three…).
Most things are better on toast, including fitness blogs – Faya Nilsson was inspired to name her blog upon noticing just how many meals in the UK are served this way after moving from her native Stockholm. Originally starting the blog to share unusual but healthy recipes, workout ideas and fitness fashion with her clients, Faya has broadened her focus with inspiration and innovation (along with some very pretty photos). ‘I’ve always wanted Fitness on Toast to be an unbiased, honest, organic, free-range view on “fitness, nutrition, travel and fashion”, in a single, friendly and accessible place,’ says Faya. ‘I still think it’s unique for that!’ We agree, and not just because of the tasty name.
For those who spent their PE lessons hiding at the back of the class or ‘forgetting’ their gym kit as often as possible, Laura Fountain’s blog Lazy Girl Running is the place to go if you’re prepping for a marathon. Avoiding exercise after leaving school, Laura decided to start running for fitness at the age of 30 and found it was… actually quite enjoyable. Now specialising in women’s health and having authored the books The Lazy Runner and Tricurious, Laura shares her expertise in her blog’s coaching, running groups and training guides sections. And they’re nice and easy to find, if you’re really lazy (right at the top of the home page – no racing required for that bit).
6. Fat Girls’ Guide To Running
Running isn’t just for fitness models slinking around in lululemon (other brands are available), as Julie Creffield proves on her blog. ‘If you run, you are a runner – simple!’ says Julie, who started with the sport in a 3k fun run in 2003. Now typically posting three or four times a week, Julie’s rule for the blog is ‘No running = no blogging’, making it a great motivation to keep going. Having written books and given a TEDx talk, this blogger’s non-traditional entry into the world of fitness has worked out well and continues to provide inspiration for people ready to get going on the starting line.
‘Eating too much of the wrong things and drinking far too much alcohol. Does my story sound familiar?’ Um… well, maybe… The man asking the tough questions is Paul, aka Father Fitness – a father of two, husband to one and all-round ‘normal guy who just wants to try and keep fit’. A difficult quest after Christmas and New Year, but the clear focus on different areas of fitness (Muscle, Nutrition, Weight loss) on this blog might help with the first steps. Paul has competed in events including Total Warrior and Pier to Pier, so is worth following/running after.
Annie and Nick, the super-active duo behind our eighth blog, are qualified spin instructors passionate about triathlons, swimming, running, yoga and ‘basically any sort of crazy challenge’. Since its launch in 2013, the blog has enabled them to get off their stationery spinning bikes and journey across the world to work with tourist boards and travel companies all over. Restarting your own fitness routine after the frivolities of the festive season doesn’t even have to take a lot of reading if you’d rather sit and watch a while before heading out – Annie and Nick also regularly vlog on YouTube.
Blogger Lucy started her fitness journey as a ‘gym bunny’ before making the move to endurance sports. Now with a record of 25 completed triathlons, her blog Paddle Pedal Pace is where she shares her tips and tricks for progression and motivation. Lucy aims to inspire readers to get active and set themselves achievable challenges – she is an ambassador for This Girl Can Essex, celebrating active women in the area regardless of size, ability or experience and has also recently qualified to represent Great Britain at the European Age Group Championships.
10. Be Healthy Now
Rounding out our top ten UK fitness and exercise blogs is Petra’s place for natural living and healthy lifestyle Be Healthy Now. Offering a 360-view of staying fit, Petra covers healthy living, recipes and nutrition with the exercise – even outlining the mental health benefits of a regular routine instead of strict instruction on sets. ‘It’s about stress management and a healthy mind as well,’ says Petra – which sounds perfect to us as we finish off the last of the yule log/TV boxsets and get started with the new year.
The fundamentals of working with bloggers are the same as with traditional journalists at traditional media outlets: respect their schedules; take time to read their material to learn their interests; and only contact them if/when they want to be contacted.
Vuelio’s blog ranking methodology takes into consideration social sharing, topic-related content and post frequency. Profiles of these Fitness & Exercise blogs and their authors can be found in the Vuelio Media Database.
