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The truth about nailing that 'perfect' gym selfie
8 fitness pros reveal the work that goes into their #FitLife feeds
When it comes to taking the perfect gym selfie, there's a lot more to a sweat-free snap than just striking a pose. Knowing your angles is one thing, but being able to snag a spot in front of the mirror without being photo-bombed and managing to mask your boob sweat? Now that's a skill.
From how to hide your HIIT-class-induced beetroot face to where to find the best lighting, we asked eight fitness pros who make it look easy for their top post-workout picture tips.
Consider your background
"Don't worry about looking sweaty or red-faced, it just shows how hard you worked. If you're taking a mirror selfie in the changing rooms after class, just make sure that your mate isn't half naked in the background!"
Adrienne Herbert, fitness blogger and co-founder of Get To KNOW
Beat the crowds
"I've learnt to always snap my selfies in the gym toilets, not only because it’s the brightest room but also because it’s basically a race to try and take a good picture in the public area before someone else runs in. The trouble is, everyone's doing it - I can't tell you how many times I've walked into the bathroom and seen other girls doing the same mirror selfie pose!"
Em Sheldon, travel and fitness blogger
Ask a stranger
"If I want a nice fitness photo for my Instagram feed, I'll usually take it before my workout. Any post-workout shots will be posted on Instagram stories or Snapchat only. Sweaty or not, bright lighting is important, and I also love a smiling shot. Alternatively, get someone else to take a photo of you pre-workout. It's a little embarrassing asking a stranger to take a candid photo of you but while you might be make-up-free, you're also sweat-free."
AJ Odudu, TV presenter, DJ and fitness blogger
Borrow a friend
"After wiping the sweat from my moustache, I love a gym selfie with a friend. Yes, everyone will look at you while you take it, but let’s be honest - they’re probably going to do one themselves right after. My top tips are to stand tall, look at your phone instead of into the mirror and channel your inner badass, rather than trying to look sexy."
Carly Rowena, personal trainer and fitness blogger
Avoid grey (at all costs)
"The 'perfect' gym selfie is a myth – there's always going to be someone lurking awkwardly in the background and unless you're a member at a super luxe gym, the decor is never going to work with your carefully-curated Instagram theme. Saying that, I do have a few useful tips: mirror pictures are a lot more flattering than the dreaded front camera, and always wear dark clothing to hide the sweat patches - whatever you do, stay away from grey!"
Tashi Skervin-Clarke, lifestyle and running blogger
Find your confidence pose
"I try and take my selfies after I've worked out as I like them to feel authentic (which means a little sweaty). So for me, it's all about tactically positioning the phone in front of my post-workout face. It's also a good idea to find a quiet mirror as it can be pretty embarrassing trying to take one in front of other gym-goers!"
Zanna Van Dijk, personal trainer and fitness blogger
Use props
“I don't know about selfies, but capturing yoga poses on camera isn't glamorous work - it can take hundreds of photos to get one that looks good. I typically use my phone and prop it up using a stack of books as a kind of tripod. When I take pictures and other people are in the room, I usually tuck the camera somewhere hidden, but this means other gym rats will often walk into shot and I won’t notice until later. Once, a guy was running on the treadmill while I was practicing headstands. When I sped up the video for Instagram, that same guy was running at warp speed and it was kinda awesome."
Jessamyn Stanley, author of Every Body Yoga
Head for natural light
"I'm all about the gym selfie being as real as possible, even though my face usually turns the colour of a beetroot which doesn't look particularly sassy. I'll always go outside to the natural light to grab a selfie or 20 - a girl needs options! Oh, and if you're going for a full-length mirror selfie, check the crotch sweat situation first. I made that mistake once... never again."
Cat Meffan, yoga teacher and fitness blogger
Isabella is a freelance journalist who has written on young women's issues, entertainment, TV and film, South Asian representation, mental health, dating and so much more. She has bylines in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Prima, Digital Spy, Women's Health, and Harper's Bazaar, and was named 30 Under 30 by MediaWeek, PPA and We Are The City. She was also shortlisted for Workplace Hero at the Investing In Ethnicity Awards and Hero of the Year at the European Diversity Awards. Follow Isabella on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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