The start of a New Year: A time for us to take stock of the year that was and set our intentions for the year ahead. For many of us, with the festive season behind us, January typically marks the start (or restart!) of our fitness journeys.
This year, that journey is made somewhat more difficult by the continued presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with countries worldwide being in various stages of lockdown, gyms being closed or perhaps feeling unsafe, and exercise with a mask seeming quite unappealing.
Thankfully, thanks to the Internet—particularly Instagram—home exercise is an entirely viable option. The rise of the ‘Fitfluencer’ (‘fitness influencer’—a person committed to fitness who influences others online) in recent years has seen many social media users, inspired by their favorite fitfluencers, to get off the couch and start working for their dream body and for better health and wellbeing.
Fitfluencers not only offer inspiration but also share their exercise routines with their followers, with our favorite African fitfluencers getting us through our home-based existences last year.
We wanted to introduce you to just a few of our favorite African fitfluencers.
Amanda Du-Pont | Instagram: @amandadupont
Swazi-South African actress Amanda Du-Pont, whose most notable credits include the CW network’s Life Is Wild and Netflix’s Shadow, is not a fulltime fitfluencer, but her commitment to health, wellbeing, and fitness does inspire her millions of followers (3.6 million at last count!) to follow in her footsteps. Amanda enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, to get her heartrate up.
Foster ‘Dovies’ Agyei | Instagram: @doviesworkout
Ghanaian model and fitness coach Foster ‘Dovies’ Agyei’s physique (which appears to have been sculpted by a Renaissance sculptor) is an inspiration to the almost 1 million men and women he counts as followers. Dovies is proudly natural, advocating body building without the use of supplements, while his workout routines are simple enough for anyone to follow. Many of his routines are also sans equipment, making them perfect for at-home workouts.
Cassandra ‘Coach Cass’ Nuamah | Instagram: @coachcassfit
Another Ghanaian on our list, certified wellness coach and trainer ‘Coach Cass’ is extremely proud of her African heritage. One glance at her Instagram page, on which she features multiple routines teaching followers the Kukuwa (an African dance program), attests to this. Her dance-based workouts are perfect if you do not want to do a ‘basic’, ‘boring’ workout routine.
Mapule Ndhlovu | Instagram: queenfitnass
While South African personal trainer and fitfluencer Mapule Ndhlovu favors a rigorous gym workout, her Instagram page features a number of workout routines that can easily be done at home. She is also known for hosting popular virtual workout events, including the ‘Body Positive Workout Party’ and ‘Moving Day HIIT Workout’, towards the end of 2020.
Alseny Sylla | Instagram: seny_acro_
Last but certainly not least on our list, Guinean professional acrobat, aerial and tumbling coach, and fitness trainer, Alseny Sylla. While some of Alseny’s posted routines are more fun to watch than they are practical for us averages Joes and Josettes to attempt, he also focusses on the important basics—including upper-body strength and core stability.
Who are your favorite African fitfluencers?
Words by Illona Meyer
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