Following fitness Instagram accounts is the new Pinterest “fitspo” board. Search for “female fitness inspiration” and you will literally pull up millions of results. The social media site has no shortage of absolutely beast-mode ladies sharing their lives, their workouts, their diets and their daily inspiration with the world.

This short list of my top favorites I’m following right now spans just a few of the sports where we see women being dominant. Whether it’s bodybuilding, surfing, gymnastics, CrossFit or martial arts, these are just some of the ladies proving that doing it “like a girl” means doing it really REALLY well.

Dana Linn Bailey, or DLB as her followers call her, is a big name in the world of women’s fitness and bodybuilding. Placing first in a number of pro-bodybuilding competitions, including Olympia, she is definitely one strong and sculpted woman.

In the past year, however, she’s taken some time off from competing and taken her fitness in a new direction by opening a new gym, growing her clothing line with her husband Rob, and even taking on some CrossFit workouts with phenom and friend Mirinda Oldroyd. She’s a super fun athlete to follow on social media. One thing we love about DLB is that you always get the honest truth, she doesn’t hold back her bad hair days, struggles with her diet or lack of motivation to workout. And somehow, that makes her even more motivating.

Holly Holm has been in the fighting world for a long time. Debuting as a professional boxer in 2002, she went on to win a number of titles including two WBF Female World Championship in different weight classes, and Female Fighter of the Year a number of times. In 2015, she rose to absolute stardom when she knocked out undefeated champion Ronda Rousey (another fit female to follow) in UFC 193. Now, even through her loss this past weekend and UFC 196, her reputation continues to grow, not just as a fighter, but as a down to earth woman in the sport looking to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.  Check out her Instagram for daily motivation and selfies to get an insight into what it’s really like to be, and try to stay, on top.

Does women’s gymnastics get any better than Gabby Douglas? Well, at the 2012 Olympic Games, it didn’t.

Winning the gold for Individual All-Around Champion and another gold as part of the “fierce five” gymnastic team, Gabby’s Olympic career started off with a huge bang. She’s poised to dominate again in Rio this year, and with four years to grow and mature, this young woman does nothing by inspire. Her Instagram is a combination of dedicated training, inspiration, fun with friends and shoes! Whether she’s posting a random glam selfie or pics with her training team, you can always count on Gabby to put a smile in your face and convince you to get your butt to the gym.

If you follow the sport of Triathlon, you know that Gwen Jorgensen is literally unstoppable.  Last year she went undefeated in every WTS race she completed, claiming 13 straight victories, including at the Olympic Qualifier in Rio.  She is favored to win Gold this year at the Games, which means loads of swimming, biking, running, and time in the gym to stay in peak condition.  She documents most of it on Instagram, with one awesome twist.  She is a TOTAL foodie.  In fact, on her blog, and in interviews she’s been quoted saying that she and her husband often times pick their vacation destinations based on places they want to eat. A fit girl who loves food? I think I’m in love.

Shalane recently made headlines by having a really rough marathon run during the Olympic Marathon Trials but still battling through to finish in 2:29:19 and make the team again this year.  As a four-time Olympic qualifier, twice for the Marathon, this woman knows the meaning of the word perseverance. She loves inspiring and being inspired.  And just like us, she loves a little Ben & Jerry’s indulgence after months of eating clean and healthy to achieve an optimum performance at an important event. Her Instagram is full of inspiration, and will be one to keep an eye on as we approach the Olympics this summer.

Iceland’s Annie Thorisdottier is not only a two-time CrossFit Games champion and six-time Games competitor, but she’s also an absolute darling. This CrossFit phenom is strong and confident and shares her life with her fans on social media.

Sure, you’ll get a whole lot of pictures of her doing CrossFit (and a chance to critique her freaking flawless form at every turn), but fit females know, fitness should be fun, and Annie has that in spades. Whether it’s adorable puppies or videos and pics of girls being girls at the gym, Annie proves that even the best athletes in the world have a great time doing what they love.

When it comes to a totally ripped physique, IBFF Figure competitor Nicole Wilkins has literally one of the best in the business. The four-time IFBB Figure Olympia champion also boasts three wins at the International Figure Olympia as part of her career.  She is beautiful, strong, darn near unstoppable, and unflinchingly honest about what it takes to stay at the top.

Her Instagram account is full of everything you would expect from a fit gal, from amazing photo shoots to everyday workout pics, video clips of workout tips, and drool-worth pics of healthy food.  This is one fitness superstar who isn’t afraid to share her life, and her favorite order from Starbucks, with her hundreds of thousands of followers.

Professional surfer in the World Surfing League, Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons seriously knows how to shred. But her expertise isn’t just limited to surfing.  The fitness and wellness enthusiast offers coaching programs  and is about to launch her new fitness app to help mere mortals like us get her coveted physique.

Whether you’re looking for pictures of this girl being straight up badass on the ocean, scenery sure to inspire wanderlust, adorable bikinis, or old-fashioned inspiration, check out Sally in Instagram!

Ranked 5th in the world in 2014, Missy Franklin is on the top of near everyone’s list to bring home some Olympic medals this year in Rio. Accomplished in the 100 and 200 backstroke as well as the 100 and 200 freestyle, this professional is as inspiring as she is relatable. Her Instagram features everything from workout videos to adorable kitten pics, and always has something to make her fit fam smile.

 

An up and comer to watch for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brigetta’s Instagram is the perfect combination of fitness, faith, and seriously hot fashion.  The high jumper won a Silver medal in the 2012 Olympics in London, clearing 2.03 meters (that’s 6’8″) on her attempt.  At only 21 years old, and a senior at Arizona, this Olympian will inspire not only your workouts, but your shoe collection as well!

What female fitness Instagram accounts are you following for inspiration?