Partnering with UK fitness influencers: Building brand trust through community-led movement
Written by Sam Kendall
Published on January 26, 2026
Reading time 11 minutes
Table of Contents
Influencer marketing is an essential digital marketing strategy for businesses of all sizes. Last year, influencer ad spending was projected to reach a staggering $30.81 billion, increasing to $47.80 billion in the next three years.
To apply influencer marketing successfully, you need to niche down. If you’re a UK company, particularly if you’re a brand selling health-conscious or fitness products, you should consider working with local UK fitness influencers.
Read on to discover 27 of the UK’s most powerful fitness influencers and learn how to find and vet the right creators for your 2025 campaigns.
Leading fitness influencers in the UK
The UK’s leading fitness influencers include Joe Wicks (@thebodycoach) with 4.7 million Instagram followers, Tom Daley with 3.2 million followers and Ryan Terry with 2.5 million followers. We’ve identified these top performers using Sprout Social Influencer Marketing to analyze engagement metrics and cross-platform reach across Instagram and YouTube.
| Influencer Name | Handle | Instagram Followers | YouTube Subscribers | Primary Platform | Content Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Wicks | @thebodycoach | 4.7M | 2.81M | Both | Home workouts, nutrition |
| Tom Daley | @tomdaley | 3.2M | 1.18M | Both | Olympic training, vlogs |
| Ryan Terry | @ryanjterry | 2.5M | 191K | Bodybuilding, motivation | |
| Gemma Atkinson | @glouiseatkinson | 1.9M | – | Postnatal fitness | |
| Kim French | @kimfrench87 | 1.6M | – | Targeted workouts | |
| Meggan Grubb | @meggangrubb | 1.3M | 536K | Both | Women’s fitness, parenting |
| Simon Chu | @striking.coach | 1.2M | – | Muay Thai, combat sports | |
| Matt Morsia | @mattdoesfitness | 1M | 2.26M | YouTube | Training, lifestyle vlogs |
| Gabby Dawn Allen | @gabbydawnallen | 1M | – | Personal training, lifestyle | |
| Natacha Oceane | @natacha.oceane | 1M | 1.7M | YouTube | Science-based training |
| Michael Griffiths | @mac_griffiths | 1M | – | Transformation coaching | |
| Danielle Peazer | @DaniellePeazer | 1M | – | Dance workouts | |
| James Stirling | @london_fitness_guy | 983K | – | Home workouts | |
| Courtney Black | @courtneydblack | 838K | 61K | Live workouts, nutrition | |
| Claressa Shields | @claressashields | 824K | – | Boxing, motivation | |
| Talia and Giulia Harte | @thehartesisters | 810K | – | Home and gym workouts | |
| Chessie King | @chessieking | 705K | – | Body positivity, workouts | |
| McKenna Crisp | @mckennawcrisp | 696K | – | Athletic training | |
| Lucy Davis | @lucydavis_fit | 671K | 254K | No-nonsense fitness | |
| Alex Beattie | @alex.beattie | 627K | – | Weight loss, muscle building | |
| Lucy Mecklenburgh | @lucymeck1 | 1.7M | – | Women’s wellness | |
| Eddie Hall | @eddiehallwsm | – | 2.87M | YouTube | Strongman, challenges |
| Lucy Wyndham-Read | @lucywyndhamread | – | 2.38M | YouTube | Home workout tutorials |
| Joe Fazer | @JoeFazer | – | 1.53M | YouTube | Body transformation |
| Gabriel Sey | @GabrielSeyOfficial | – | 410K | YouTube | Fitness tips, nutrition |
| Lottie Murphy | @LottieMurphy | – | 398K | YouTube | Pilates, flexibility |
| Wayne Bridge | @waynebridge03 | 276K | – | Older demographic fitness |
- Joe Wicks (@thebodycoach)– 4.7 million Instagram followers, 2.81 million YouTube subscribers
With an Instagram following of 4.7 million and close to three million YouTube subscribers, Joe Wicks is one of the most noteworthy UK fitness influencers today. His popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he remains one of the most influential people in the UK fitness world. Wicks posts weekly workout videos on YouTube, as well as healthy recipes and inspirational content on his Instagram.
- Tom Daley (@tomdaley) – 3.2 million Instagram followers, 1.18 million YouTube subscribers
Tom Daley is an Olympic gold medalist who has amassed a colossal social media following, becoming one of the biggest male UK fitness influencer examples in terms of reach. Tom posts regular vlogs on his YouTube channel, as well as occasional workout videos. He also posts frequent diving and workout reels on his Instagram.
- Ryan Terry (@ryanjterry) – 2.5 million Instagram followers, 191k YouTube subscribers
Ryan Terry is the 2023 Mr Olympia champion and a three-time winner of the Arnold Classic. He posts motivational reels on Instagram and lengthier workout videos on his YouTube channel.
- Gemma Atkinson (@glouiseatkinson) – 1.9 million Instagram followers
Former soap star and UK celebrity Gemma Atkinson has become one of the leading female UK fitness influencers in terms of followers. She combines motivational Instagram posts with her podcast, The Overshare, to provide advice on how to keep fit while being a mother.
- Kim French (@kimfrench87) – 1.6 million Instagram followers
Kim French launched the Believe by Kim French fitness app and has one of the largest Instagram followings of today’s UK fitness influencers. She posts multi-reels for workouts designed for specific body parts, as well as exercise advice.
- Matt Morsia (@mattdoesfitness) – 1 million Instagram followers, 2.26 million YouTube subscribers
Matt Morsia stars in the UK’s rebooted Gladiators TV show and has a substantial following on both Instagram and YouTube.He creates popular motivational Instagram posts, but his larger reach is on YouTube where he regularly creates training videos, alongside unconventional content like a house-building vlog.
- Gabby Dawn Allen (@gabbydawnallen) – 1 million Instagram followers
Former Love Island star Gabby Dawn Allen is one of the UK’s biggest Instagram fitness trainers. She hosts the What the Health show and posts lifestyle content alongside workout reels.
Female fitness influencers in the UK
Below are some of the biggest female UK fitness influencers working at the moment. We analyzed cross-platform correlations across Instagram and YouTube, choosing influencers who create content in unique ways.
- Meggan Grubb (@meggangrubb) – 1.3 million Instagram followers, 536k YouTube subscribers
Meggan is one of the biggest UK fitness influencers on Instagram and has a growing presence on YouTube. She founded both the clothing brand Move with Blue and the Beyond app for women’s fitness. She regularly posts exercises, meal plans and parental advice.
- Natacha Oceane (@natacha.oceane) – 1 million Instagram followers, 1.7 million YouTube subscribers
Natacha is a biophysicist who curates training programs approved by the Team GB Olympic Team. She posts exercise tips on her Instagram and workout routines on her YouTube channel.
- Courtney Black (@courtneydblack) – 838k Instagram followers, 61k YouTube subscribers
Courtney is one of the fastest-growing UK fitness influencers with a huge Instagram following. She hosts live workouts through the Courtney Black app and posts workouts and dieting advice on her Instagram and YouTube channel.
- Chessie King (@chessieking) – 705k Instagram followers
Chessie is an experienced social media influencer who’s worked with some of the biggest names in fitness, including Nike and Adidas. She creates short motivational workouts and lifestyle reels.
- Lucy Davis (@lucydavis_fit) – 671k Instagram followers, 254k YouTube subscribers
Lucy styles herself as the “no BS fitness girl” and posts regular workouts and exercise reels on her Instagram. On her YouTube channel, she posts vlogs about her fitness achievements as well as hybrid fitness challenges.
Male fitness influencers in the UK
The following represent notable male UK fitness influencer examples on social media today, found using the same strategy as in the above section.
- Simon Chu (@striking.coach) – 1.2 million Instagram followers
Simon is a Muay Thai coach with a gym based in Leeds. He posts sparring videos on his Instagram and has several online tutorials hosted on his website.
- Michael Griffiths (@mac_griffiths) – 1 million Instagram followers
Michael is a former Love Island contestant with a notable Instagram following. He works as a transformation coach and posts workout routines alongside collaborations with fellow Love Island alumni, boxer Tommy Fury.
- McKenna Crisp (@mckennawcrisp) – 696k Instagram followers
McKenna is a Gymshark athlete and often shares updates of his workout journey on Instagram.
- Alex Beattie (@alex.beattie) – 627k Instagram followers
Another former Love Island contestant, Alex now promotes muscle strength and weight loss training routines through his workout reels and motivational posts.
- Wayne Bridge (@waynebridge03) – 276k Instagram followers
Wayne is a former Premier League footballer who now uses his Instagram to promote how he keeps fit in retirement. Wayne is an older fitness influencer, which is far less common across the industry. If you’re looking to market your products to an older audience, use Sprout Social to filter influencers by age and find more influencers with an audience similar to Wayne’s.
Instagram fitness influencers in the UK
Fitness is well-suited to Instagram thanks to its focus on photo and video content. These five UK Instagram influencers all have huge followings and evidence the growing popularity of fitness influencers on the platform.
- Lucy Mecklenburgh (@lucymeck1) – 1.7 million Instagram followers
Lucy Mecklenburgh is a former UK reality TV star, having appeared in The Only Way is Essex as well as several other shows. Alongside lifestyle content, she uses her Instagram to promote dietary advice and fitness tips. She launched the Results Wellness Lifestyle app to support women looking to lose weight.
- Danielle Peazer (@DaniellePeazer) – 1 million Instagram followers
Danielle is a wellness influencer who specializes in dance workouts. She creates dance workout and exercise reels on Instagram and YouTube, whilst also posting lifestyle advice.
- James Stirling (@london_fitness_guy) – 983k Instagram followers
James posts home workout content that uses minimal equipment, which has helped him nurture a huge Instagram follower count. He also offers more intensive workouts through his fitness app, PWER.
- Claressa Shields (@claressashields) – 824k Instagram followers
Claressa is an undisputed boxing champion and former Olympic athlete. On her Instagram, she posts motivational content, sparring sessions and pre-fight exercise routines.
- Talia and Giulia Harte (@thehartesisters) – 810k Instagram followers
The Harte sisters are former Team GB skiers who now manage their own UK fitness influencer careers. They publish workout reels on Instagram, often with both beginner and advanced options or variations for home and gym workouts.
YouTube fitness influencers in the UK
Influencers tend to use YouTube to post longer content. This is worth remembering if you’re looking to start any influencer campaigns, as the different types of content available on each platform, and the demographics of their user bases, will impact your overall reach.
These five YouTube influencers create fitness videos, as well as more experimental viral videos, and were chosen using Sprout Social’s filters for UK fitness influencers with high YouTube subscriber counts.
- Eddie Hall (@eddiehallwsm) – 2.87 million YouTube subscribers
Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall has one of the most successful YouTube channels of any current UK fitness influencer. He creates sparring videos with other famous sportspeople, workouts, eating challenges and viral content.
- Lucy Wyndham-Read (@lucywyndhamread) – 2.38 million YouTube subscribers
Lucy’s home workout fitness channel has over 1,000 workout videos, with some of her most popular videos regularly amassing millions of views. She’s also published several workout and diet plans on her website.
- Joe Fazer (@JoeFazer) – 1.53 million YouTube subscribers
Joe has grown to become one of the biggest male UK fitness influencer figures on YouTube. His videos regularly reach millions of views and involve fitness challenges, vlogs and body transformation advice.
- Gabriel Sey (@GabrielSeyOfficial) – 410k YouTube subscribers
Gabriel Sey has published over 700 videos on YouTube since starting his channel over a decade ago. Several of his fitness tips videos have exceeded a million views, and he also posts vlogs about his fitness journey, alongside diet advice.
- Lottie Murphy (@LottieMurphy) – 398k YouTube subscribers
Lottie Murphy creates approachable pilates and flexibility videos on her popular YouTube channel and hosts more in-depth routines on her website.
TikTok fitness influencers in the UK
TikTok has rapidly become a powerhouse for fitness content. The platform’s short-form video format is perfect for quick workout tutorials, form checks and high-energy motivation. In 2023, there were 22.6 million influencer posts about sports and fitness, with most of the buzz happening on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Key Differences for TikTok Fitness Content:
- Format: 15-60 second videos optimized for mobile viewing
- Engagement style: Trend participation drives visibility more than follower count
- Content approach: Quick tips and workout snippets outperform longer tutorials
- Audience demographics: Skews younger (18-34) compared to Instagram and YouTube
Many of the Instagram and YouTube influencers listed above maintain TikTok presence, cross-posting shorter versions of their content. When evaluating UK fitness influencers for TikTok campaigns, prioritize engagement rate over follower count. The platform’s algorithm rewards content resonance more than established audience size.
Choosing the right platform for UK fitness influencer campaigns
Each platform serves different campaign goals. Use this breakdown to match platform strengths to your objectives:
| Platform | Best For | Content Format | Average Engagement Rate | Audience Demographics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual inspiration, lifestyle branding | Reels (15-90s), Stories, Posts | 3-5% | 18-44, balanced gender | |
| YouTube | In-depth tutorials, product reviews | Long-form video (5-20 min) | 2-4% | 25-54, slightly male-skewed |
| TikTok | Trend participation, viral reach | Short-form video (15-60s) | 5-8% | 18-34, female-skewed |
Many successful campaigns use multi-platform strategies, adapting content format to each platform’s strengths while maintaining consistent brand messaging.
How to choose the right UK fitness influencer for your campaign
Selecting the right influencer demands more than reviewing follower counts. Evaluate these critical factors:
Evaluating engagement quality over quantity
Authenticity makes high engagement figures meaningful. Here’s what matters:
- Engagement type: Shares indicate stronger impact than reactions for reach-focused campaigns
- Comment authenticity: Review recent posts randomly—bot comments are obvious red flags
- Engagement rate consistency: Sudden spikes suggest purchased engagement
- Campaign alignment: Match engagement patterns to your reach or impressions goals
Assessing audience demographics and brand fit
The influencer’s audience should mirror your target customer. Verify:
- Demographic overlap: Age, location, interests match your ideal customer profile
- Audience authenticity: Real followers engage consistently, not just during promotions
- Content relevance: Their existing content aligns with your product or service
Verifying authenticity and credibility
Every post an influencer publishes reflects on your brand. Protect your reputation by confirming:
- Values alignment: Review their entire content history, not just sponsored posts
- Professional conduct: Consistent posting schedule and professional communication
- Past controversies: Research their public reputation thoroughly
This authenticity proves as critical as metrics to track influencer marketing success, like conversions and impressions.
Ensuring compliance with ASA guidelines
UK advertising regulations require strict disclosure standards. Verify your influencer partners:
- Understand disclosure requirements: All paid partnerships need clear #ad or #sponsored labels
- Follow ASA guidelines: Review the official ASA requirements before launching campaigns
- Include compliance in contracts: Make proper disclosure a contractual requirement
How to find UK fitness influencers at scale
Manual influencer research doesn’t scale. Sprout Social Influencer Marketing delivers the tools you need:
- AI-powered Discovery: Search by natural language queries like “UK home workout influencers with female audiences ages 25-40”
- Advanced filtering: Filter by follower count, engagement rate, audience demographics, content categories and geographic location
- Cross-platform analysis: View Instagram, YouTube and TikTok performance in one unified dashboard
- Historical data: Access 60+ days of performance history to identify consistent performers vs. one-hit wonders.
Organizing your UK fitness influencer prospects
Sprout Social’s Creator Lists function like smart playlists for influencers. Add promising candidates to custom lists, then activate AI-powered Creator Suggestions to discover similar profiles based on audience demographics, content style and engagement patterns. This automated discovery eliminates the “now what?” moment after finding your first strong candidate.
Vetting influencers for brand safety
Sprout Social’s Brand Safety reporting scans influencer content for:
- Controversial content: Profanity, adult themes, violence
- Fake engagement: Suspicious comment patterns or follower growth spikes
- Brand conflicts: Competing partnerships or contradictory messaging
- Compliance violations: Undisclosed sponsorships or regulatory issues
These automated checks protect your reputation and ensure every partnership aligns with your brand standards—no manual content audits required.
How to measure UK fitness influencer campaign performance
Vanity metrics won’t prove business impact. Track data that ties directly to your bottom line.
| Metric | What It Measures | Fitness Industry Benchmark | How to Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement Rate | Audience interaction quality | 3-5% (Instagram), 2-4% (YouTube) | Sprout Campaign Summary |
| Reach | Total unique viewers | Varies by follower count | Platform analytics + Sprout |
| Conversions | Direct business impact | 1-3% click-through rate | UTM parameters + Sprout tracking |
| Earned Media Value | Advertising equivalent value | £5-£15 per engagement | Sprout EMV calculator |
| Brand Sentiment | Audience perception shift | 70%+ positive sentiment | Sprout Listening |
Tracking campaign performance in real-time
Sprout Social’s Campaign Summary automates this process, pulling performance data into presentation-ready reports. You get a clear view of what works and what doesn’t without spending hours in spreadsheets.
Benchmarking your results against industry standards
Compare your campaign results against the benchmarks above to identify optimization opportunities. This insight allows you to adjust strategy mid-campaign and ensure you maximize ROI from every partnership.
How to start marketing with UK fitness influencers
If you’re planning to start using influencer marketing in your business, you’ll need the right tools for the job.
Transform your UK fitness influencer campaigns with Sprout Social Influencer Marketing. Our platform combines AI-powered discovery, Brand Safety vetting and automated reporting to eliminate manual research and prove ROI.
Start your free 30-day trial to search our database of UK fitness influencers, or request a personalized demo to see how teams like yours scale influencer partnerships without scaling headcount.
Frequently asked questions about UK fitness influencers
How much does it cost to partner with UK fitness influencers?
Micro-influencers (10K-100K followers) typically charge £500-£5,000 per campaign, while macro-influencers (500K-1M+) command £10,000-£50,000+ depending on deliverables and exclusivity.
What's a good engagement rate for UK fitness influencers?
Fitness influencers with 3-5% engagement rates perform above average, though smaller accounts (under 100K followers) often achieve 5-8% due to more intimate audience connections.
How do I reach out to UK fitness influencers for partnerships?
Send personalized outreach that clearly outlines campaign goals, deliverables, timeline and compensation. Influencer marketing platforms streamline this process and track all communications in one place.
Do UK fitness influencers need to disclose paid partnerships?
Yes. UK law requires influencers to use clear labels like #ad or #sponsored on all paid partnerships, as mandated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
How can I measure the success of my UK fitness influencer campaign?
Track engagement rate, reach, conversions and earned media value (EMV) to quantify ROI. Automated reporting tools compile these metrics without manual data collection.
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