They say that you are most likely to be shaped and influenced by the people you spend the most time with. I’ve always been acutely aware of this and have gone as far as making career decisions based solely on this concept. But it occurred to me, social networks make just as much impact in what we do and think about everyday, just as much as the people we interact with in real life.
I’d like to think that I follow, and stick with, people and brands on Twitter who keep me positive, healthy, informed and passionate. I took a look at my Twitter stream a few months ago and found a whole lot of noise, negativity, and excuses. So I cleaned house and distilled the best of the best fitness accounts, compared notes with other coaches and athletes, and created the best damn fitness Twitter list you could possible ask for, broken up into eight categories.
You can subscribe to each account individually by clicking on their Twitter handle, or subscribe to the entire list here. Do you know of Twitter account that should have made the cut? Comment below!
CrossFit
1. The CrossFit Games – @CrossFitGames
The ultimate proving grounds of the fittest athletes on earth. Home Depot Center
File this one under, “duh”
2. CrossFit Journal – @crossfitjournal
The CrossFit Journal is the largest high-quality fitness and lifestyle resource on the net. It’s based strictly upon performance and results.
The color commentary to your athletic life.
3. CrossFit WOD Feed – @cfwod
A simple daily feed of the CFWOD. Will also be working on some new projects – so stay tuned!
For all of you CrossFitters who are home schooled.
4. Andy Petranek – @andypetranek
Owner of CrossFit Los Angeles
My first CrossFit coach and one of the first to “get” social media and the power of GIVING you valuable information. Is your coach on Twitter? Sound off in the comments below!
CrossFit Games 2012 Winners
5. Annie Thorisdottir – @IcelandAnnie
2012 CrossFit Games Individual Woman’s winner.
6. Julie Foucher – @Julie_Foucher
“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease” ~ Edison
2012 CrossFit Games Individual Woman’s runner up.
7. Rich Froning – @richfroning
2012 CrossFit Games Individual Men’s winner.
8. Matt Chan – @Matt1Chan
2012 CrossFit Games Individual Men’s runner up.
Yoga
9. Tara Stiles – @TaraStiles
wherever you go there you are.
A no BS approach to yoga and a Twitter conversationalist.
10. Daily Cup of Yoga – @DailyCupofYoga
tips, tools, and wisdom on yoga, books, and technology
A huge online influencer of all thing yoga, with a very personable approach to Twitter.
11. Rebecca Pacheco – @omgal
Creator, OmGal.com, Best Yoga & Fitness Blog, 2010 Intent.com web awards. Yoga teacher, writer, Boston Marathon finisher, sports lover & creative gal.
A yoga teacher, and seasoned blogger showing you how yoga is more than just poses.
Running
12. USATF – @USATrack_Field
Official twitter account of USA Track & Field. This is Katie Branham behind the tweets, working in our mkt/com dept. & tweeting about the sport I love!
USATF has been a source of awesome info throughout the Olympics, but don’t forget that they tweet year round!
13. Scott iRunnerBlog
Runner. Blogger. Co-Moderator of #runchat. Social Media and Sales professional. Mets fan. Giants fan. I get stuff done.
Scott lives and breathes running. You won’t be disappointed with his steady stream of knowledge.
14. Heather Gannoe – @runfastermommy
Runner. Triathlete. Mom on zone defense. ACSM Health Fitness Specialist. Adventurer. Dreamer. #FitFluential. Convinced exercise will save the world!
It’s difficult to pigeon hole Heather under the running category. She’s an all around athlete. But you can’t blame me with a twitter handle like that!
15. Ryan Hall – @ryanhall3
If we have thankful hearts we are untouchable.
THE legendary long distance runner and record smasher. His charming and info packed tweets constantly stand out.
Triathlon
16. USA Triathlon – @usatriathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon – the fastest growing sport in the U.S. Olympic Movement.
Great info from the American governing body.
17. EverymanTri
news, views, and interviews of great endurance
The pulse of the Tri world in one Twitter stream.
18. Triathlon Week – @triathlonweek
Free Triathlon training community featuring triathlon forums, articles, race calendars and more. Join thousands of Triathletes, updated daily.
They don’t tweet as often as they should, but when they do, it’s always a great reminder to check into their community.
19. Terra Castro – @terracastro
Professional Triathlete, Elite Sports Massage Therapist, Wife of a Super Triathlon Coach, Fueled by my faith and family.
An intimate look into the mind, process, and training of a humble pro.
20. Lance Armstrong – @lancearmstrong
Father of 5 amazing kids, 7-time Tour de France winner, full time cancer fighter, part time triathlete – LIVESTRONG!
Great info from the legendary cyclist and triathlete. Even despite his recent USADA drama.
Swimming
21. USA Swimming – @USA_Swimming
The Official Twitter Page of USA Swimming
Another American governing body who knows a thing or two about social networking.
22. Cullen Jones – @Cullen_Jones
Olympic Gold Medalist (4×100 Freestyle Relay) American Record holder, World Champion, Philanthropist, Motivational speaker, Aspiring fashion designer
Cullen works hard, and plays hard. Expect a whole lot of personality out of this stream.
23. Jessica Hardy – @swimhardy
Team USA Olympic Medalist & World Record Swimmer, Motivational Speaker, Clinician, Model, Philanthropist. Always looking at life as glass half full!
Smart, funny, AND an olympian? She had me at “Gold Medal”
24. Masters Swimming – @MastersSwimming
U.S. Masters Swimming offers health, fitness, social and competitive opportunites through aquatics for anyone 18 and up.
I saved the best swimming twitter account for last. This stream has been my go to source of info, as I slowly but surely, learn to swim more effectively.
General Fitness
25. Lindsey Smith – @LinzBSmith
I trust God, love @web, and adore @alexisleesmith. Proud to be a member of Team Rogue, ambassador for Reebok, and Stronger Faster Healthier sponsored athlete.
Beautiful, strong and a sponsored athlete. Lindsey is living the dream.
26. Robert MacDonald – @BobbyMaximus
Is currently the GM and ‘Diversity Director’ of Gym Jones in Salt Lake City, Utah. Leader, Coach, Father, Fighter, Friend and AirDyne Aficionado.
Robert is going to out train you, pretty much every day. All you can do is attempt to keep up.
27. Concept2 – @concept2
Leading manufacturer of indoor rowers, racing oars, and the Concept2 SkiErg.
A brand that doesn’t abuse it’s followers with “BUY NOW!” messaging. They’re in it for the love of the sport.
28. Tim Ferriss – @tferriss
Author of #1 NY Times bestsellers, The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Workweek, Japanophile, tea drinker, tango world record holder, language learning fanatic.
Mr. 4-hour body himself. Let Tim do crazy experiments with his own body so you don’t have to, then reap the benefits.
Fitness Apps
29. DailyBurn – @dailyburn
Personalized Fitness, Evolved. DailyBurn offers the BEST way to get fit. Access home-based video workouts from your phone, iPad, computer, and more!
One of the first and finest in the web 2.0 fitness world. Tim Ferriss, listed above, sits on the advisory board.
30. RunKeeper – @RunKeeper
Track, measure, and improve your fitness.
After 3 years of testing running gps apps, RunKeeper is still a keeper.
31. Skimble – @skimble
Skimble powers the mobile fitness movement with fun & dynamic coaching apps like Workout Trainer, a top free Health & Fitness app! Cofounders @marialy @vanrenen
The new kids on the block here in SF. I’m a fan of their free workout of the week tweets.
Bonus!
I can’t leave out some of the most knowledgeable writers I have ever met – our very own Breaking Muscle crew!
The Entire Breaking Muscle Staff – @BreakingMuscle
Breaking Muscle is a team of experienced professionals dedicated to providing fitness news and daily exercise programming. New articles & workouts every day! Subscribe to the Breaking Muscle Authors list here
