Where do you turn when you’re looking for inspiration for at-home workouts or healthy meal prep? Like many others, you’ll probably answer YouTube. After typing in your keywords, an endless list of videos will instantly pop up. But then it’s challenging to figure out what’s worth your attention and what’s just a waste of time. Sometimes it’s like searching for a golden nugget in a pile of sand. That’s why we’ve done some serious research for you, and in today’s article, we’ve added tips from YouTube creators in the fields of fitness education, home exercise and healthy meal preparation that are worth watching.
What do fitness channels on YouTube offer?
YouTube is one of the video platforms that offers a wide range of content from personal trainers, nutritionists to inspirational fitness recipes. You’ll also find a good dose of motivation to help you achieve your goals, whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle or getting fitter overall.
1. Fitness and healthy lifestyle education
If you are interested in a healthy lifestyle and want to further your knowledge about diet, exercise and supplements, you should not miss these YouTube channels.
1. ATHLEAN-X™
The face and brain behind the ATHLEAN-X™ channel is American physiotherapist and trainer Jeff Cavaliere. Before making YouTube videos, he was the head physiotherapist for the famous New York Mets baseball team. However, this was time consuming and he wanted to focus more on his family, so he decided to leave the baseball team and embark on a solo career. He created his own training program, working with elite athletes such as David Beckham and Rafael Nadal. He also shares his vast knowledge with the general public on his YouTube channel. He focuses on the topics of correct posture, muscle anatomy, tips for reducing back pain and recommendations for effective exercises for the abdomen, arms or back. Not only does he give you advice on how to exercise correctly, but you will also learn which exercises are a waste of time. [1–2]
2. Dr. Layne Norton
Dr. Layne Norton also known as BioLayne is an American bodybuilder, powerlifter and renowned fitness expert. He has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences. Not surprisingly, his work revolves around science-based information on nutrition, supplementation and strength training. Some of the most watched videos on this channel include debunking myths and misinformation from the world of nutrition and supplements. With a wit all his own, he takes on the likes of the Netflix documentary Game Changers, the keto diet, intermittent fasting and artificial sweeteners. [3]
3. Jeff Nippard
Jeff Nippard is a Canadian bodybuilder, powerlifter and trained biochemist with a passion for science. That’s why he bases his opinions on information that is backed by studies. In his videos, he combines them with practical tips that are particularly relevant to building strength, muscle mass or weight loss. He advises which exercises are best for a specific area (shoulders, back, abdomen, legs…) and how to do them correctly, also helps you to create a training plan or diet. He explains everything in an understandable and entertaining way. [5]
4. Huberman Lab
Behind the Huberman Lab is American professor and neuroscientist Andrew Huberman. In his videos, he explores how the human brain and the entire nervous system can affect your behaviour, athletic and mental performance, and overall health. In particular, he covers the areas of sleep, exercise, nutrition and supplements. He also provides practical tips on how to create a training plan, a supplementation protocol or a morning or evening routine that continues to inspire people around the world. He also interviews leading experts on topics ranging from mental health, to optimizing productivity or dopamine, to losing weight or gaining muscle. If you’re interested in these topics in more depth, you’ll definitely find your own on the Huberman Lab channel. [4]
Other educational YouTube channels that are worth your attention:
- PictureFit: As the name suggests, this channel features animated videos that explain topics ranging from nutrition, exercise and supplements in a clear and fun way.
- Dr. Gabrielle Lyon: A physician who is dedicated to the topic of longevity. She believes that the best way to get there is to work out your muscles. In her videos, she discusses women’s health in addition to tips for gaining and maintaining muscle.[6]
- Peter Attia MD: Doctor and one of the best known longevity experts , who discusses health and fitness topics on his YouTube channel. You can find interesting information about how exercise affects lifespan, and from a more specialised perspective, you can learn about cholesterol or hormonal health. He also covers the topics of low-carb eating and intermittent fasting. [7]
You can also find science-based information from which you can draw valuable knowledge about weight loss, diet and healthy lifestyle and nutritional supplements on our blog.
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2. Home workouts
YouTube is worth a visit, whether you’re looking for inspiration for a home workout with your own weights, or want to spice up your gym routine. Follow these channels to work out from the comfort of your own home, even without any equipment. On some you will also find useful videos explaining the correct technique behind the exercises. However, keep in mind that nothing replaces the physical presence of a trainer who can correct you right away. Therefore, work out at home with the utmost of care.
1. Chloe Ting
Chloe Ting is the current queen of home YouTube workouts. She has a whopping 25.5 million subscribers on her channel as of September 2024, currently the most of any YouTube channel worldwide. You can work out using nothing more than your own weight, she says, with one workout usually completed in under 20 minutes. She’s particularly famous for her Two Week Shred Challenge and Abs Workout Challenge workouts, but buttocks and thigh-focused workouts are also popular. [8]
2. Pamela Reif
Pamela Reif is a German influencer, entrepreneur and YouTuber. On her channel you will mainly find workout routines with self weight exercises, but sometimes she also adds a dumbbell workout or booty band. Interestingly, Pamela doesn’t talk in her videos so that you can focus on your workout to the fullest. Most of the workouts last up to 15 minutes and focus on, for example, the abs or buttocks. However, there are also full body workouts, cardio challenges or dance workouts. [9]
3. Chris Heria
Chris Heria is a well-known fitness trainer who is followed by people all over the world. He focuses mainly on calisthenics, i.e. exercises with your own weight or added weight in the form of a weighted vest or dumbbells. Prepare yourself for the fact that Chris’ workouts are short (10-15 minutes) but intense. You can work your abs, arms, and entire body with him, or learn how to do push-ups, sit-ups, or handstands. [10]
4. Yoga with Adriene
Yoga With Adriene is a channel for people who are new to yoga, as well as advanced yogis. It was founded by yoga instructor Adriene Mishler. She started posting the training videos on YouTube for free with the vision that this would reach as many people as possible, regardless of age, nationality or social background. She currently has nearly 13 million subscribers as of September 2024, proof that she is succeeding in this mission. You can practice beginner yoga, morning or evening yoga, and meditation exercises to help you calm your mind after a hard day at work, for instance. [11]
If you want to get a better understanding of the types of yoga and its benefits, read our article 9 Types of Yoga and Their Benefits for Physical and Mental Health.
More YouTube channels with workout tips that are worth watching:
- Krissy Cela: Trainer, entrepreneur, who became famous on YouTube especially for her videos with practical tips for training the buttocks and abdomen.
- Natacha Océane: Fitness enthusiast who combines strength training and endurance running. In addition to workout videos, you can also find educational content focusing on weight loss, muscle growth or exercise.
- Bret Contreras Glute Guy: A trainer nicknamed “The Glute Guy” who specialises in building strong and nicely shaped glutes. If you’re looking for tips on how to firm and sculpt your buttocks, this is your guy. He has a variety of videos on his channel to help you choose the right exercises and their technique.
- Renaissance Periodization (RP): A channel that offers science-based tips on gym training, diet and supplementation. The face behind the videos is Dr. Mike Israetel, who explains training principles as well as specific exercises for muscle growth.
You can also find inspiration for a quality workout at home, at the workout playground or in the gym in our exercise articles.
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3. Healthy eating
If you’ve set a goal, such as losing weight or building muscle, exercise alone probably won’t be enough to meet it. Diet also plays a crucial role. That’s why it’s important to learn how to cook healthy, balanced meals that provide your body with the nutrients it needs. But no one wants to eat chicken and rice over and over again. An endless source of inspiration for meal preparation are YouTube channels that focus on healthy cooking and meal prepping.
1. Clean & Delicious
Food blogger and cooking book author Dani Spies is behind the creation of Clean & Delicious. She started this YouTube channel to help people cook simple, delicious and healthy meals. You can find basic cooking tips like how to make scrambled eggs, cook porridge and roast a juicy chicken. You can also bake a healthy dessert and get lots of inspiration for balanced and tasty breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners. [12]
2. Chef Jack Ovens
Chef Jack Ovens is a professional chef who started a YouTube channel to spread his passion for cooking. We bet you’ll be drooling just from looking at the preview photos of his recipes. While some of his dishes wouldn’t quite fit into a weight loss diet, Jack isn’t afraid to use more fat or cream. But on the other hand, you will find a variety of recipes with chicken and also dishes with a high protein content. His meal preps are also a favourite , in which he shows you how to prepare boxed lunches for 5 days ahead in a short time. [13]
3. Downshiftology
The Downshiftology channel was founded by Lisa Bryan, author of the bestselling book “Healthy Meal Prep”. She focuses on filming the preparation of healthy and tasty gluten-free recipes and favours the use of fresh and seasonal ingredients. You can learn to prepare delicious salads, soups, legume and meat dishes. There are also meal preps for breakfasts and main meals using common ingredients, but Lisa takes them to the next level. [14]
Other YouTube channels focused on healthy cooking:
- Pick Up Limes: Channel founded by registered nutritional therapist Sadia Badiei, who focuses on preparing balanced plant-based meals. Here you will find tips for delicious and varied vegan breakfasts, snacks and main courses. [15]
- Healthy Fusion: YouTube profile where you can find video recipes of healthy dishes inspired by oriental cuisine. Recipes with chickpeas, hummus, chutney and other dishes that are certainly worth trying.
- The Domestic Geek: A channel full of inspiration for simple boxed meals as well as delicious desserts.
- Gymbeam Fit Recipes: You can also find video recipes on the GymBeam channel that you will want to try right away.
We regularly add new healthy cooking recipes for inspiration to our blog, try out the best fitness recipes.
What should you remember?
YouTube is a video platform where you can find just about anything you’re interested in. You can exercise, cook and expand your horizons in the field of a healthy lifestyle. You’ll gain new knowledge and inspiration that you can put into practice in your daily food preparation, supplementation or your workouts at home and in the gym. In addition, the fitness creators will give you the motivation to continue achieving your goals. It’s just a matter of finding content that engages you and gives you exactly what you need.
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