39 Black-run fitness classes to support now and always

Supporting causes that you believe in with the dollars you spend is one key way to help effect change. Right now, at a time when the country is (yet again) fighting for racial justice in the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s important to not only donate towards organizations that aim for equality, but also to spend your money at Black-owned business. Here, we’re detailing notable Black-owned fitness studios, classes, and instructors that are offering online workouts you can stream.

Of course, this is only a snippet of the many, many Black-run workout classes that you can support, but the ones below are offering virtual workouts throughout the COVID-19-induced quarantine. Although some are free, monetary contributions and donations can go a long way in making sure that these trainers and fitness studios continue to offer their amazing workouts for years to come.

We’ll keep adding to this list, so send Black-owned fitness studios with digital offerings to [email protected].

Studios

1. HARLEM CYCLE

The Harlem-based cycling studio offers a packed schedule of virtual rides and sculpt classes that you can take, and your first class is only $12.50.

2. BROWNSTONE WELLNESS

Founded by trainer Steven Rousseau, Brownstone Wellness offers private and group online classes on everything from yoga to stretching, strength training, and martial arts.

3. BRUKWINE

For fans of dance cardio, Brukwine—which dubs itself the #sexiestworkout—teaches Caribbean-inspired dance workouts, along with yoga, HIIT, and stretching, all of which you can livestream on Zoom. The studio is currently offering a $20 special that gets you 10 classes throughout the month of June.

4. SPIKED SPIN

Brooklyn-based hip-hop cycling studio Spiked Spin has themed rides, and though the studio has been closed because of COVID-19, it’s hosting various challenges that you can follow along with on its Instagram account.

5. AARMY

Star trainer Angela Davis joined forces with Akin Akman to launch AARMY, a New York City and Los Angeles-based studio that brings you kick-ass boot camp training. Check the studio’s social media accounts for a workout schedule.

6. LA FEMME SUITE

For a more out-of-the-box type of workout, La Femme Suite of Harlem brings you virtual pole dancing classes that touch on the strength-boosting and balance-based principles involved in the studio’s IRL studio.

7. TRILLFIT

Trillfit is a Black-woman owned fitness studio in Boston that not only offers dancing and sculpting classes, but regularly invests in the training of 20 instructors of color every year and supports local organizations that support the Black community. The studio is currently offering free on-demand workouts but encourages donations to select organizations.

8. KTX FITNESS

KTX Fitness founder Keith Thompson offers fitness programs for everyone, from children to seniors. The studio is currently offering a range of virtual spinning, kickboxing, yoga, band, and boot camp classes.

9. JTW FIT

JTW Fit opened in Harlem, New York as a fitness space where you can reach your full athletic potential. Virtual classes you can book range from power yoga to muscle group-focused strength training classes, and one session costs $10.

10. FIT AND LIT

What began as an outdoor fitness class in NYC is now a regular offering on streaming site Neou Fitness. Fit and Lit workouts combine elements of dance cardio, HIIT, and stretching for a well-balanced at-home sweat sesh created by Janeil Mason.

11. BK YOGA CLUB

Body-positive BK Yoga Club in Brooklyn has always served as a wellness center that embraces those of all backgrounds. Zoom yoga classes, which start at $12, are offered throughout the week and there are a range of levels available.

12. INNER WORKOUT

Inner Workout lives up to its name: The yoga-based fitness studio offers multi-dimensional self-care practices and workouts that not only boost your physical strength, but your inner mind. Various digital classes are available to book.

13. EMBRACE YOGA D.C.

Embrace Yoga was founded by trainer Faith Hunter, who has her own wellness platform focused on awareness and meditation. Book one of the Washington, D.C.-based yoga studio’s daily livestream classes or stream its on-demand yoga flows.

14. GLOVEWORX

Gloveworx is a boxing and HIIT workout studio based in L.A. (and recently opened up in NYC) owned by Leyon Azubuike, a boxing pro who has trained Jennifer Aniston. It’s currently offering virtual private and group training.

15. BOOMBOX BOXING CLUB

Another boxing studio, Boombox—based in D.C.—is hosting Zoom workouts during the COVID-19 pandemic for $10 per class. Founders Angela Jennings and Reggie Smith created the studio to make boxing-inspired training accessible to all levels.

16. TRIFECTA STRONG

Trifecta Strong, a training studio that incorporates sports, recovery, yoga, and meditation, has daily virtual workouts that you can tune into to support.

17. TONE HOUSE

NYC fitness studio Tone House—renowned for being one of the most challenging workouts you can take—has a slew of live Zoom classes you can book as well as an on-demand video platform (Tone House TV) that provides unlimited digital workouts for a monthly fee.

18. SWEAT PILATES

For Pilates fans, Sweat Pilates—founded by Moe Daniels and Travis Johns—will soon be offering online offerings of its traditional low-impact workout.

Instructors

1. INGRID CLAY

A long-time Barry’s instructor, Ingrid Clay has been making people sweat for many years. You can book her personal training sessions (or nutrition and meal prep courses) for killer workouts that blend strength, conditioning, and plyometrics.

2. GERREN LILES

NYC-based fitness trainer Gerren Liles is known for his signature Whipped class, which is a HIIT and circuit training-type workout. Liles is a founding trainer for Mirror and a master instructor for Equinox, and you can book his virtual training sessions directly on his website.

3. MELISSA ALCANTARA

Melissa Alcantara, known on Instagram as @FitGurlMel, is a celebrity fitness trainer (she’s trained Kim Kardashian), who offers various workout programs that you can book online to increase your overall strength and athletic abilities.

4. ARIEL PADILLA

Ariel Padilla is an instructor at SoulCycle, who also hosts virtual cardio workouts. He has a Zoom workout scheduled for this weekend that will be donating 50 percent of proceeds to the Trans Women of Color Collective and Emergency Release Fund.

5. JEANETTE JENKINS

Jeanette Jenkins has a ton of at-home workouts you can stream from her Instagram or book on her training platform, The Hollywood Trainer Club.

6. MAILLARD HOWELL

Owner of Dean CrossFit and founder of The Beta Way, Maillard Howell hosts everything from dynamic movement-based workouts to digital detox programs for mind-body health.

7. JOE HOLDER

If you’ve never checked out Joe Holder’s Ocho System, a 360-degree level fitness and wellness philosophy, you should. The Nike master trainer—who trains the likes of Naomi Campbell—approaches workouts from a scientific background for an efficient way to sweat.

8. CARLOS DAVILA

Carlos Davila teaches at Crossfit and The Fhitting Room in NYC. Check out his virtual HIIT workout classes (check The Fhitting Room’s on-demand schedule) as well as his wellness trainings.

9. YUSUF JEFFERS

As a track and field coach as well as a fitness instructor, Yusuf Jeffers offers athletic-based strength workouts, which you can access directly from his Instagram.

10. JAZMIN TEJADA

Jazmin Tejada teaches at JTW Fit in NYC, but also teaches virtual yoga classes. On her website are a collection of on-demand power yoga flows and body part-focused yoga classes that you can stream whenever.

11. MELANIE NYCOLE

You can book yoga-HIIT hybrid workout classes along with more traditional vinyasa to stream at home through trainer Melanie Nycole, whose style of teaching bring the fire to your yoga mat.

12. TRACI COPELAND

Nike master trainer Traci Copeland, one of Well+Good’s former Trainer of the Month instructors, teaches all sorts of sweat-inducing classes on the Nike app (think strength training and mobility work).

13. ERICA ROBINSON

Chicago-based trainer Erica Robinson teaches small group classes as well as private workouts, featuring athletic and strength-focused interval training.

14. KOYA WEBB

Koya Webb has been a long-time fitness and wellness influencer, and is known for her holistic approach to training. Check out her amazing vinyasa-style yoga classes, many of which you can find on her Instagram.

15. ASHLEY JOI

Check out fitness trainer Ashley Joi’s Instagram for regular workout ideas that you can easily copy from home, or book private or group classes through her website.

16. MARGEAUX HOUSE

Brooklyn-based yoga instructor Margeaux House, who’s also a lifestyle blogger, speaker, and advocate for body positivity, offers both virtual private and group yoga classes that are friendly to all levels.

17. JENNIFER JOHNSON

If you’re a fan of dance cardio, Jennifer Johnson—who goes by JJ Dancer—has an incredibly fun dance cardio workout, which you can try from home. Book one of her group or private classes for a virtual training session.

18. KEHINDE ANJORIN

Book a virtual class taught by instructor Kehinde Anjorin, founder of Power in Movement, for functional strength training focused on full-body strength.

19. ANDREA RUSSELL

Andrea Russell is a yoga instructor based in NYC, who teaches at Sky Ting and offers a lot of vinyasa flows on her Instagram that you can sweat through at home.

20. PORTIA BOSTON

For low impact workouts that blend barre and Pilates, Portia Boston teaches fitness classes that are easy on the body but pack a punch. Check her Instagram account for a wide variety of at-home workouts.

21. RIDGE DAVIS

Fitness trainer Ridge Davis offers a wide selection of online workouts via his workout app with Playbook. Every week this month he plans on hosting weekly Zoom workouts with proceeds going towards various organizations—first up is Thursday, June 11, and money will be donated towards the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.