Written by: Jamie G.
I’ll be the first to admit that organized sports are not my thing. I haven’t been on a team since my t-ball and little league soccer days — which lasted just a season each. The last time I tried to participate in a sport, I stopped halfway through the season because I was tired of washing all the chlorine out of my hair multiple times a week. In addition to the sweating and the running — and all the other reasons I gave my mom for why I wanted to call it quits on sports all together — one of the things I hated about sports was usually being one of very few (girls, people of color, Black girls for sure) on my team. I often felt alone and unseen. So I stopped.
I ultimately switched to dance — performance, not competition — and the discipline, patience, and teamwork I learned from my years of dance have stuck with me throughout my life. In my adulthood, it’s often difficult to make time for any sort of athletic activity, but when I’m able to, I make sure to support Black women-owned sports and fitness brands as often as possible. Here are a few you might like to try:
1. Pretty Girls Sweat
Pretty Girls Sweat is all about making fitness fun, accessible, and affordable so that women can look and feel their best. They focus on building a “sweat sisterhood” that brings women together through city or college campus chapters and events. No chapter near you? No problem. Pretty Girls Sweat has a robust online community you can tap into through social media where there are always new fitness challenges, workout suggestions, and food information. The amount of inspiration, motivation, encouragement, and support for all things fitness knows no bounds. They really do make fitness fun.
2. Black Girl Workouts
Black Girl Workouts was created by five Black women who wanted to promote diversity in the fitness industry. They offer classes and have trainers to help improve health and wellness for Black women. I love that they also have playlists on Apple Music and Spotify to help you get through your workouts. Their social media platforms are full of transformation testimonials and workouts for you to try at home, outside, or at the gym.
3. Harlem Cycle
Harlem Cycle is Harlem’s first boutique cycling gym. They now offer in-studio and on-demand cycling, strength, and cardio classes as well as workouts designed to tone your body, increase mobility, and compete with your family. The owner also offers one-on-one health coaching to further assist you in reaching your goals. Harlem Cycle centers culture, community, commitment, and convenience to celebrate all bodies and fitness levels, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.
4. Toned by BaggedEm
Toned by BaggedEm offers yoga or fitness mats and gym bags which feature images of Black women and children (the limited edition mats featuring Black men are currently sold out) as well as affirmations. Seeing Black skin tones and hairstyles represented in yoga is something really special.
5. J. Dow Fitness
J. Dow Fitness covers activewear and athleisure needs. It can be so difficult to find apparel that actually fits, but J. Dow Fitness ranges in sizes from small to 3XL. The colors and patterns complement different skin tones and the leggings have a pocket or phone pouch, which can be really difficult to find elsewhere. Most designs come in sets, but there are also some separates available. J. Dow Fitness is the perfect mix of fitness and fun for whatever your day might bring.
Honorable Mention - TämBwoy
I could not have a list about Black-owned sports and fitness brands without including TämBwoy. Founded by Shayna, a life-long athlete, TämBwoy is an online mentoring resource designed to encourage girls to participate in sports with a focus on the valuable and transferable life lessons gained through athletic pursuits. Although my team sports days are FAR behind me, the discipline, patience, and teamwork I learned — between that and my days as a dancer — have stuck with me throughout my life, and I love that Shayna is working to share those same lessons and more with girls everywhere.
Although competitive sports didn’t work out for me, I haven’t completely given up on being active, and I think it’s important for girls everywhere to have the same options. I’m thankful for these platforms and that Shayna created TämBwoy to make sure that the next generation of girls has access to spaces to comfortably learn, move, and more.
