#FitnessFriday

Whether it be the latest fitness trend or nutritional craze, communities come together on Twitter every day to discuss health and wellbeing.

On Friday August 21, Twitter UK is joining forces with some of the biggest names in the fitness industry to celebrate #FitnessFriday.

Twitter users will be able to engage with some of the most notable names and brands in the fitness world, discovering top health tips from experts, gaining exclusive access to workout sessions via Periscope, and much more. Below is an example of what you can expect on the day: 

• Morning — Fitness experts, personal trainers and health enthusiasts will be encouraged to provide their followers with top tips for working out and sharing their favourite type of exercise.
• Mid-day — Live-streaming app Periscope will enable users to directly interact with fun fitness sessions, as well as food recommendations around lunchtime to encourage sustained activity throughout the day.
• Afternoon — As #FitnessFriday comes to a close, lifestyle and wellbeing gurus will treat followers to helpful advice on nutrition, wellness and useful exercise regimes, plus any current offers.

Who’s getting involved?

A large number of industry experts and fitness brands will be getting behind the initiative tomorrow.

TV personality and fitness fanatic Davina McCall (@ThisisDavina) shared her excitement about the launch of #FitnessFriday:

“Errm how brilliant is the #FitnessFriday idea? Can’t wait to get all you fitness fans AND anyone who might need a bit of a nudge, all together for the day on Twitter. I am ridiculously excited to say that I will be squatting, lunging and tweeting my way through the day with my trainer Ed as much as possible in support of all the action, so I’ll see you all there @thisisdavina, yes? Yes!”

Meanwhile, health club chain Virgin Active (@VirginActiveUK) will be sharing a number of group exercise classes live via Periscope (@periscopeco) on the day, giving those unable to attend the clubs the opportunity to join in from their living room. In addition, they’ll be conducting the first ever Periscope tour of their new club, launching in London on 25th August.

Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group (including Virgin Active) added:

“Exercise has always been part of my life, whether it’s on the tennis court or kitesurfing and I feel that keeping fit has helped me a great deal in my professional life. Twitter campaigns like #FitnessFriday are a great way to get the motivation and inspiration to stay healthy.”

Also jumping on the trend is Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach (@thebodycoach). Joe is the creator of the 90 Day SSS Plan and an online nutrition coach, and he will be getting down to the grind of a work out live on Periscope.

Other key partners signed up to take part include:

• Psycle (@psyclelondon)
• Ian Marber - Nutritional Consultant (@IanMarber)
• Savse Smoothies (@SavseSmoothies)
• Madeleine Shaw (@madeleine_shaw_)

By the numbers

Twitter has long been unique in its ability to unite the health and fitness world in real-time. Every day communities come together on Twitter to discover new workout trends, share nutrition advice and spur each other on in real-time.

New research* indicates that more people are using Twitter to share their selfie from fitness fuelled gym sessions. 1 in 10 UK users have Tweeted a photo of themselves pre or post exercise, and on top of that 25% of users have Tweeted about exercising. Other stats include:

• 4 in 10 Twitter UK users follow a personal trainer on Twitter
• 1 in 3 Twitter UK users follow a gym/ fitness studio on the platform
• 50% follow health food brands on Twitter
• 70% follow fitness accounts on Twitter to be motivated to exercise
• 1 in 5 (25%) Twitter UK users follow specific accounts to keep up to date with new trends in health and fitness

So get your workout gear on, those healthy ingredients at the ready, and prepare for the first ever #FitnessFriday on Twitter.

* Source | Twitter Birdsignals, July 2015