Fitness is important year round. Just as important? The right workout look! While you’re trying to get your body right, unbig your back and all that, you have to have the right fitness look! But that’s not all, it helps if your fitness plan is vetted by someone who looks like you and knows the things you struggle with. Here are some diverse influencers and celebrities who launched fitness brands.
Angela Simmons – Built Not Bought
Angela Simmons, entrepreneur and reality TV star, launched Built Not Bought in 2019. The brand promotes a natural, hard-earned fitness journey rather than shortcuts. It offers workout programs, meal plans, and fitness challenges that focus on self-love and discipline. What sets it apart is its emphasis on holistic wellness, combining mental and physical health with empowering messages for women.
Teyana Taylor – Fade2Fit
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Teyana Taylor, singer and dancer, created Fade2Fit in 2018, a dance-based fitness program inspired by her viral workout routines. It differentiates itself by making high-energy dance workouts the core of fitness, helping users achieve results while having fun. With a focus on choreography and toning, the program is great for those who prefer dynamic movement over traditional gym workouts.
Lizzo – Yitty
Singer and rapper Lizzo launched Yitty, a shapewear brand that emphasizes body positivity and inclusivity. Yitty offers a wide range of sizes and styles designed to celebrate all body types, making it distinct in the fitness apparel industry.
Massy Arias – Tru Supplements & MA Warriors
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Massy Arias, a Dominican fitness influencer, founded Tru Supplements, and MA Warriors as her fitness platform in 2017. Tru Supplements is a plant-based supplement line free of artificial additives, catering to those who want clean nutrition. MA Warriors offers structured fitness programs designed for sustainable results. Her brand is unique for its focus on mental health, postpartum fitness, and making fitness accessible to beginners.
Jeanette Jenkins – The Hollywood Trainer Club
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Celebrity trainer Jeanette Jenkins launched The Hollywood Trainer Club in 2017, offering an all-in-one digital fitness and nutrition program. Unlike others, her platform provides over 500 workouts, meal plans, and motivational coaching tailored for all fitness levels. Her experience training A-list celebrities (like Pink and Kelly Rowland) gives her brand a Hollywood-level approach with a strong community focus.
Lita Lewis – Thick Athletics
Fitness coach and influencer Lita Lewis founded Thick Athletics in 2015 to empower women of all shapes and sizes. The brand stands out by celebrating strong, curvy physiques rather than promoting a “one-size-fits-all” fitness standard. It offers online training programs, activewear, and motivational coaching designed to help women embrace their natural bodies while building strength and confidence.
Melissa Alcantara – FitGurlMel
Melissa Alcantara, a Dominican-American trainer best known for working with Kim Kardashian, launched FitGurlMel in 2017. Her brand is different because it’s based on her own fitness transformation journey from struggling with weight to becoming a top trainer. FitGurlMel offers intense, no-excuses training programs, meal plans, and fitness books, focusing on discipline and long-term results rather than quick fixes.
Jade Cargill – Jade Cargill Fitness
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Pro wrestler and former athlete Jade Cargill launched Jade Cargill Fitness in 2021, focusing on high-performance training. Unlike most celebrity fitness brands, hers is rooted in an elite athletic background, offering programs that combine bodybuilding, endurance training, and mindset coaching for those looking to push their physical limits.
Jillian Carter – Sidebarre
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Former pointe ballerina Jillian Carter founded Sidebarre in Washington, D.C., offering high-intensity, low-impact full-body barre workouts. The studio stands out by blending traditional ballet techniques with modern fitness routines, providing a unique and empowering experience for clients.
Karyn Poe – Jayei Athletics
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Fitness enthusiast Karyn Poe founded Jayei Athletics, an eco-friendly fitness brand offering slip-resistant mats inspired by African heritage. The MudMat Collection features designs honoring Malian culture, blending functionality with cultural representation.
These influencers and celebrities who launched fitness brands showcase the diversity and innovation that Black and Hispanic women bring to the fitness industry, each offering unique perspectives and products.
Image Credit: Shareif Ziyadat / Contributor | Getty Images
