Fitness model? You Can Become one, and We Show you how!

How to become a fitness model

Becoming a fitness model is more complicated than fashion modeling, but it's nearly impossible if you don't know what to do.

You want to become a professional fitness model, but you're not sure where to start or how to get there. 

This guide will teach you everything you need to become a successful fitness model and make money with your body!

I will give you some of the best tips for becoming a female fitness model and some of the things you can do to succeed in today's fitness modeling industry.

Table of Contents

Tips for getting into the fitness industry

Female body fitness posing

Start knocking on doors.

Incorporate fitness brands through Instagram, get into fitness blogs, and create a Youtube channel.

When you start, you're going to have to do a lot of networking. It would be best if you began meeting people who are already in the fitness industry. As you progress, you will get opportunities to work with them.

But you have to start somewhere, and that is by knocking on doors. So don't be tempted to give excuses; follow your dream.

Get an agent

Getting into the fitness modeling industry is not as simple as it may sound. The task needs a lot of hard work, physical dedication, motivation, and an interest in this field. However, you might end up being a sportsperson if you pursue what you want to achieve.

An agent can help you achieve what you need. You can get an agent by contacting an agency, scouting while you work out at the gym, or participating in a fitness competition.

Some top agencies are listed above, and they will be more than happy to help you if you meet the following requirements:

  • Being physically fit
  • Having a good appearance
  • Dedication to your work and having a great work ethic
  • Motivation to reach your goals
  • Taking criticism positively
  • Having excellent communication skills

Look for a modeling agency.

Top fitness models explain that you can't be lazy after your dream. You need to visit a fitness model agency, and you need to prove to them that you're the best one for the job, even with just having an excellent physical appearance.

Fitness photographers, magazines, and TV shows constantly look for people who can motivate their viewers to work out.

If you want to be part of the fitness industry, you need to let the agencies know you're willing to do what you need to do by sending your pictures or videos.

There are top agencies like Stetts Model Management (New York, L.A), Wilhelmina (offices around all over the world,) or Natural Fit Agency (Texas.)

Find your niche

Fitness modeling has become a niche in modeling. If you can, you could have an exciting look at the different types of fitness.

It is perfect for linking this next step with that because after you have decided on your passion for fitness training, you have done your research.

Depending on the area you wish to pursue, you should make it perfectly available for the next step. For example, you can be a gym, sports, yoga, or athletics model.

Have body awareness & confidence

Having body awareness means you will need to be physically aware of how you look in front of the camera, understand your angles and poses. You should also have the confidence to know that you are beautiful and you can do this.

One way to increase your body awareness is to take pictures of yourself from different angles; front, side, back. These pictures can help you understand how your body looks, and you will pose better.

Building confidence can take time, but it is essential to have in this industry. You should always be prepared for anything that comes your way. Remember you are beautiful and you can do this!

Related: "How to get a good body shape."

Participate in fitness competitions

It takes focus and dedication to be a fitness model. You may participate in fitness competitions after learning how to train effectively.

Participating in fitness competitions enables you to reach your target and be recognized as an active participant in a fitness community!

A fitness competition is where you can get help if you need it. You can meet people who work in the industry and learn from personal trainers and photographers.

Tips on how to become a fitness model by shaping your body

Fitness models are some of the most sought-after models in the world. That is because they are fit, have great bodies, and often look like they could step on a scale at any time and see that they've lost another pound or two.

But becoming a fitness model is not as easy as you may think. You can do things to help make the process easier, but you have to put in the hard work, too.

So, how do you become a fitness model? How can you be one of those female fitness models? Here are a few tips:

Have a long-term lifestyle perspective

It's critical to have a long-term fitness or lifestyle perspective in order not to go from out of shape to in shape and then back again. I love this because I know that your focus and your results in fitness will be solid, not something that is only a passing success.

It would be best if you genuinely enjoyed working out. It isn't enough to merely appear robust compared with most fashion models.

Related: "How to tone your body."

Dring at least 8-12 glasses of water

Drink plenty of water. Between 0.5 to 0.8 gal at least distributed throughout the day (8-12 glasses) to stay hydrated and reduce food cravings.

It's essential to drink lots of water. Water is vital for your digestive system, skin, and metabolism.

Also, drink water before you eat. It's essential to drink at least half a glass of cold water 30 minutes before eating. It decreases your appetite, and you will most likely eat less than you usually would. 

Visit a health professional.

Look for a doctor to rule out diseases that can lead to weight gain. You will need a nutritionist who can design your meal plan to get into a healthy lifestyle.

Also, maybe you have to talk with the psychologist or psychiatrist about controlling anxiety and sleep. Then you will need a personal trainer who can help you reach your goals.

Eat healthily

Eating a healthy diet means eating vegetables, fruit, and food with fiber. You should also eat less salt and sugar. Remember that everything has calories except water.

Overeating red meat is wrong because it's not good for health. Try to focus on eating white meat instead. Also:

  • Stay away from dairy products.
  • Stay away from sugar.
  • Don't drink alcoholic beverages.
  • If you're a vegan, you have to make sure you eat enough protein because otherwise, you will not have the required energy for your activities.

Watch the way you cook foods.

There are no such things as "good" or "bad" foods. Instead, properly eating them is what makes them nutritious or not. For example, potatoes are healthy, but roasting them in the oven with the skin on versus frying them in oil and adding a lot of salt provides a significant difference.

The key lies in making intelligent selections and cooking them the right way.

Use the plate method.

Divide your plate into three sections: one-third should be taken up entirely by vegetables, preferably raw salads—one-quarter for protein and one-quarter for complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain bread or brown rice.

This method allows you to lose weight and still consume the amount you need every day to help you perform well.

Eat enough

Never stay hungry, but when you feel satisfied, stop eating. You can use water, fat-free broth, or a plate of fresh leaf salad with vinaigrette to deceive your stomach so that you eat less of the main course while still feeling full.

By eating 5-6 times a day, you can speed up your metabolism, and you will not store the food you eat as fat.

Do not skip any meal.

A point related to the previous one is that you should not skip any meal. You need to eat breakfast, lunch, supper, and three snacks during the day.

These are at least five meals a day. If you avoid anxiety, you will lose weight healthily and permanently.

Chew your food well and slowly

Eat slowly and chew your food well. Thirty minutes after you start eating, your hunger sensation generally dissipates. As a result, the slower you eat, the fewer calories you ingest.

Avoid fried foods

To cut down on the use of oil, grill or oven-roast your meals in a Teflon pan, wok, or oven. For cooking, use vegetable oil; for salads, add olive oil. (One teaspoon per meal).

Use stevia, which is a natural sweetener that has no calories. Also, say goodbye to table sugar (sucrose) and reduce it as much as possible. Excess sugar causes weight gain because your body stores it as fat.

Reduce salt consumption

Salt promotes the retention of liquids and glucose absorption in the intestines, resulting in a weight and body volume boost.

Salt consumption can raise blood pressure and have adverse effects, such as an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, Dr. Nataniel doesn't recommend over 2.5 grams (1/2 teaspoon) per day.

Add healthy seasonings to your food.

Prepare and season your food with:

  • Low sodium salt.
  • Pepper.
  • Garlic.
  • Onion.
  • Parsley.
  • Oregano.
  • Coriander.
  • Thyme.
  • Rosemary.
  • Ginger.
  • Basil.
  • Curry.
  • Cumin.
  • Mustard.
  • Natural non-fat yogurt without sugar.
  • Olive oil.
  • Balsamic or regular vinegar.
  • Lemon.

Eat one cheat meal per week.

Some foods you love are bad for your health, but they taste good. So one day each week, for one meal only, eat food you love but is not suitable for your health. You can do this when you lose 10% of the weight you want to lose.

Sleep 7-8 hours every day

For me, another thing that goes well combined with your nutritional intake is sleep. Sleep is essential to becoming a fitness model.

During your sleep, you recover your muscles, and you get all of your energy for the next day. So I would say you need at least seven to eight hours of sleep every day, so you're always fresh and you're ready for an early morning workout.

Workout at least 5 times a week

Another thing you can do to succeed is to work out at least five times a week, with weights and interval training.

Doing physical activity regularly, along with a healthy diet, will help you to lose weight. Exercise will help you burn more calories and also reduce your body fat. It can even lower your risk of some diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

To be a fitness model, you need to have a muscular tone, and you need to have a high level of endurance, as well as you need to be fit. So:

  • Workout at least five times a week with weights and interval training
  • It's essential to work out a minimum of three days a week on cardiovascular exercise.
  • It would be best if you also had a good stretching routine, and you should foam roll at least two times a week.

Stretch

As I said before, stretching is critical in your workout routine. Stretching before and after your workouts not only does prevent injuries and stretches your limbs out, and keeps your muscles toned, but it helps with your breathing.

Besides, you will find out that you could grow two Inches taller just by stretching every day. You will also see a huge difference; you have to be patient.

Get at least 13 body fat percentage.

The average body fat percentage range for women is around 31% to 45%. However, you don't want to have so much body fat. You want to be fit and have a low body fat percentage.

A fitness model has a lower body fat percentage than an average person's. However, according to the American Council on Exercise, it is slightly more than "essential fat." That is 10-13% for women and 2-5% for men.

To do this, you need to have a goal, and you need to be determined. You can't just expect to achieve a low body fat percentage by not doing anything.

Related: "When is your body in Fat-Burning mode?"

Who is the best fitness model?

Michelle Lewin, top female fitness model in the world

In my opinion, Michelle Lewin is the best fitness model because she has a very toned body which you can tell she's been working out for a while.

She also looks pretty in her photos, and you could say she is one of the reasons, so many people start going to the gym.

Michell Lewin is a Venezuelan woman who has more than 13 million followers on Instagram. She earns more than $44,000 each month, according to Yahoo.

She is also an excellent nutritionist and fitness trainer.

Besides Michelle, we share some of the most recognized fitness models worldwide below.

Jen Selter

Fitness model Jen Selter posing

Jen Selter has more than 12 million followers on Instagram. She also has enormous popularity for her workout routines and her curves.

Ana Cherí

Ana Cherí posing

Ana Cherí is a fitness model with over 12 million Instagram followers. She designs and models her swimwear line, which she also owns.

Anllela Sagra

Anllela Sagra posing with her perfect body

Anllela Sagra is a Colombian fitness model with 11 million followers on Instagram. She ranks 3rd in the top fitness models, after Michelle Lewin and Jen Selter.

Tammy Hembrow

Tammy Hembrow, the Australian female fitness model

Tammy Hembrow is a model from Australia with 10 million Instagram followers. She's a proud mother besides being a fitness phenomenon.

Frequently asked questions

What does a fitness model do?

Fitness models show off their athletic clothing in photos. This team primarily works together by producing a photographic product that will help promote it by attracting customers. They are physically active and are generally well-fit, and many of their photos showcase the athletes doing health-related activities. Fitness Models sign up with the agencies to find employment or advance into an industry.

How much do fitness models make?

Many fitness models are freelancers. They work on their own time and days, but they earn money from the number of hours they work. The pay depends on the magazine's profile and where it is broadcasted.

The salary of a fitness magazine model can range from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on their expertise. Depending on the agency with which they join up, all Fitness Models may expect to make between $58k and $70k each year.

Physical Fitness Modeling requirements

Many fitness models seek hefty bodies with clearly defined muscles. Many gym models possess health and beauty, lustrous hair, and smiling faces.

Agencies have constantly been chasing fitness model ads to appeal to all types of consumers. Individuals with an incredible body shape and distinctive features that appeal to modeling businesses are modeling fitness contracts.

The bottom line

We hope you found the information in this article helpful. If you have any questions or concerns about our tips, please let us know!

You can also read more of our articles on how to get into the fitness modeling industry and what it takes to achieve your fit body goals.

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