After sharing tips for breaking free of your selfie posting habit to get better photos and some great fitness accounts to follow for inspiration, in came the questions on “what else can I do to increase followers on a fitness Instagram account?”
It’s a great question and really all about connecting with the community!
And while RunToTheFinish is not turning in to a blogging course, I am providing digital coaching to new bloggers so occasionally I’ll throw in a post that I hope helps everyone.
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There are enough readers, followers, brands, money for ALL OF US, which is what makes social media such an amazing tool for connecting…when you understand the right strategy!
Fitness Instagram Tips
Before getting to hashtags, I think it’s super important to talk about some of the main things that help you grow an ENGAGED account and how to start a fitness Instagram. If you’re hoping to partner with brands, I can tell you they’re looking far more at engagement than just numbers now!
1. Actually engage with other people. How often are you commenting on other people’s photos.
2. Think about why someone might engage with your photo. Are you asking questions? Posting something useful or funny? A photo of your morning breakfast doesn’t elicit a response unless you’re giving a tip or asking me what I eat.
3. Convert to a business account so you can find out what time of day most of your followers are online and make sure you’re posting in that time frame.
4. Consider creating Instagram Story templates that people will share and allows you to get to know your audience.
Instagram Hashtag Tips
I don’t have the biggest following ever, but I have an engaged one and I’m over 30K of REAL followers from being smart and strategic, not buying people.
- Adding tags to old posts won’t help (it used to, but not any more)
- Checkout tags your favorite Instagrammers or Brands are using
- Big numbers on a hashtag aren’t always better, it means more clutter and less chance you’ll be in the top featured
- Trying just to grow your followers isn’t as important as is was (sponsors are looking at ENGAGEMENT!!)
- Look for accounts that feature others and use their tags (i.e. #runitfast #worlderunners)
- Click on the hashtag and find others to follow
For example, though I’m all about running #run or #running aren’t great options. They’re cluttered, there are millions of posts and I just get lost in the feed.
- Improve your photos
- Adda location to your photos (just not your house)
- Vary your time of day for posting (early morning is good for fitness, so is evening)
- Hashtag your city or local run group/gym
- Get busy on Instagram stories (creates connection and seems to get you back in the feed)
Top Fitness Hashtags by Category
Format of my post was inspired by this beautiful post on The Simple Sweet Life with great hashtags for you food bloggers.
Basic hashtags for fitness bloggers:
#fitfam #fitnessjourney #inspireothers
#fintessmotivation #gymlife #getfit
#dreambig #furtherfasterforever #whstrong
#teamself #shapesquad #fitnessblogger
#fitmomlife #bodypositive #fitmom
#thefitlife #sweateveryday #strongnotskinny
Running hashtags:
#marathon #halfmarathon #runner
#crosscountry #instarunners #seenonmyrun
#trailrunning #womensrunningcommunity
#rundisney #runitfast #runchat
#marathontips #runningcommunity #runnersofinstagram
#runplanet #runnersrepost #trailsisters
#trailchix #trailrunning #runnergirl
#runaddict #monitorthebeat
Fitness hashtags:
#bodybuilding #abs #yoga
#crossfit #outdoors #outdoorwomen
#fitgirlsguide #fitnessvideo #homeexercises
#befitvideos #fitnessmotivation #fitgirlsworldwide
#homefitness #abworkout #lowerbodyworkout
#homeworkouts_4u #strongfitnessmag #momswholift
Group/Day hashtags:
#sweatpink #beachbody
#werunsocial #tiuteam #tiutransformation
#bbgcommunity #bbgover30 #outdoorwomen
Monday: #motivationmonday #medalmonday #meatlessmonday
Tuesday: #transformationtuesday
Wednesday: #womencrushwednesday #workoutwednesday
Thursday: #tbt
Friday: #flexfriday #fitnessfriday
Sunday: #sundayrunday
Brand hashtags (a great way to be seen):
Vega #bestlifeproject Fabletics #myfabletics
Brooks #runhappy New Balance #alwaysinbeta
Saucony #findyourstrong Asics #IMoveMe
Lorna Jane #activeliving Mizuno #ifeverybodyran
Nike #justdoit North Face #neverstopexploring
Sparkle Athletic #teamsparkle
Motivation Hashtags:
#motivationmonday #reachyourgoals
#postivemindset #bestverstionofme
#pushyourself #strongerthanyesterday
#motivationalquotes #fitnessmotivation
What’s your favorite social media platform?
Other blogging questions you’re dying to have answered?
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@Fight4Wellness
This is so helpful!!! Thank you!
My recent post Fitness Friday – September 4, 2015
Sarah @ Sweet Miles
Love this! I am always weary of trying not to be "that instagrammer" who uses a million hashtags per photo, so I think picked a few that are more effective is best!
My recent post Things are Getting Real!
fitnessmomwinecountry
I love this list, thank you so much. Instagram is my favorite site to use and I am always trying to keep up with the hip tags :)
Talk Less, Say More
Love this, thank you so much for sharing!! The hashtag game is always very interesting to explore and decide which ones to use or not use and how many to use. I wonder if there's a "magic" number of hashtags to use? And if that's the same across all platforms?
My recent post Fitness Friday #36
RunToTheFinish
Great question!! On Twitter no more than 2 on a post ever, it's too hard to read. Instagram is really funny because you'll hear don't use more than 5, but a lot of people see gains when their using over 20… so the way to do that is a couple in the post and then if you want to do more put them in a comment.
jenlyz
Instagram is my fav mode of social media too :). Thanks for the list, I'll have to start incorporating some of them into my posts. I think having a great picture at the right time of day really helps. But I have to say, in my opinion, please, please, please don't post 15 pictures in a row, overposting is a huge pet peeve of mine. Unless you have really exciting things going on, one photo will suffice. :)
My recent post Becoming #teamnakamura: The Reception at Plant Cafe
RunToTheFinish
YES!!!!! I will unfollow so fast :)
Jill
This is awesome! I've never paid attention to popular hashtags, so this is super helpful!
My recent post $1 Dog Night – My First MLB Game
SuzLyfe
Love having all of this in one place. As I've taken on some other social media accounts (I need to email you, btw), I've been trying to figure out which to use for which posts in order to grow appropriately.
My recent post Labor Day Weekend, Default Running Outfit, and more! Friday Favorites
runlikeagrl
Thanks for a great post and for all the hashtag ideas! Super useful!
aladygoeswest
I'm always looking for the best hashtags for my fitness photos in Instagram, so I love that you posted this. I found a few new ones here. Instagram is definitely my favorite of the social media! Happy Friday, Amanda! :)
My recent post Friday Favorites: Back to business
Katie
Thanks for this great information! Your post about pictures really helped me and I think this one will too! I am always trying to figure out which hashtags are best to use and probably guilty of over tagging.
My recent post Oh Dear
heather
Thanks so much this was perfect timing for me. I am fairly new to blogging and Instagram. Thanks for your advice and have a great weekend. Bakingrunner.blogspot.com
wendy
Since you posted about instagram, I've upped my game! In case you hadn't noticed…. I'm having a ball taking some really creative pictures. A few of them have been reposted by fitapproach! I probably need to tag womensrunning. Thank you for this!
My recent post 7 things about me and #7day stretch #LiveinPrana Instagram Challenge
@TheFitFork
#awesomehashtags
hmtroupe
Such a great post! I am fairly new to Instagram and am trying to figure out the best hashtags to use. Thanks for sharing!
She Rocks Fitness
Love this post and thank you for putting all these hashtags together…I have already written a few down for upcoming Instagram posts. :) Instagram has definitely become my favorite social media platform. I have also gotten a lot better on Pinterest due to listening to a lot of podcasts. Pinterest is a powerful platform.
My recent post She ROCKS Bench Workout
Beth
Thanks so much for putting together this great resource! Love having the data for how many times each hashtag is used. Thanks for helping out all the bloggers and anyone hoping to build their Instagram account! :)
My recent post Parkie’s 5K Recap
Patricia
This is very helpful! I like how instagram now tells you how many posts have that hashtag when you're typing them too!
My recent post Homemade Pizza Logs Recipe
Amy
This is so helpful and I’m going to put it to use!
Thank you :)
A.x
Heather @ HeatherRunsFast.com
Love this! I’ve been trying to UP my IG game, since I feel like people are more into that than blogging these days. Thanks for sharing!