Ditch the music and try listening to a podcast the next time you exercise. In fact, combining exercise with a good, educational health & fitness podcast has been a savor for many people, myself included. To nourish the mind, body and spirit with a little “food for thought” is a good thing. A Runner’s World surveyfound that nearly 20 percent of runners listen to podcasts while jogging. Maybe it’s time to change things up for the next workout by replacing music with an informative podcast, what do you think?
The Explosive Growth of Podcasts
It feels as though we’re getting new health & fitness podcast recommendations seemingly on a daily basis. More than one-third of Americans (104 million) now listen to one or more podcasts each month. In 2017, 40 percent of Americans 12 or older had listened to a podcast, compared to 55 percent in 2020. That is a significant jump according to The Infinite Dial 2020® research group. A 2018 article featured in Fast Company reported 525,000 active podcast shows with 18.5 million total episodes consumed. That number now, only a few years later, is at 29 million episodes. In 2020, more than 155 million people listen to a weekly podcast.
With so many podcast out there, where do you even begin to look to find the best rated shows? There are always recommendations from family and friends that you can check out. If you’re looking for other suggestions though, take a look at our list that includes some of the better health & fitness podcast. If time is an issue, try to listen to one on your next walk, run or at the gym. You can click any of the show icons below to visit and download the podcast if you desire.
Best Health & Fitness Podcast
An informative podcast from former ABC News Anchor Dan Harris. After leaving his news job he started the company 10% Happier. I read his meditation book (that was great) and you’ll love his podcast – to help set your mind right. Podcast #286 in particular, with Dr. Mark Hyman titled “Feeding the Mind” was a great episode that I really enjoyed and you will too.
Katy Bowman, MS, has a great book out as well with the same title that I highly recommend. She has a great YouTube video out on The Difference Between Movement vs. Exercise. Katy is one of those movement experts who really gets it and “walks the walk.” This is a must-listen to podcast to find out new ways to add more movement into your day. Love her “movement as nutrition” philosophy. This is one health & fitness podcast you should like.
Robb Wolff, PhD, has a very informative podcast – not to mention a few best-selling books. The show can get deep into the weeds sometimes. His knowledge base, though is off the charts and you’ll learn a ton. I know he owned a well-known Crossfit on the West Coast at one time (and may still do). If you’re looking for more knowledge on eating clean, Paleo diet and nutrition – this would be a great start.
Christy Harrison, MPH, RD, is among other things a registered dietitian. Her weekly show will offer great insight into the current diet culture in this country.
TED Talks have always been informative and now you can listen to health-related shows daily. To make life easy, here is a link of the 10 best health & fitness TED Talks.
Dr. Mark Hyman has long been a favorite doc and author of mine. Now you can listen to him to “fuel” your mind and body. After reading one of his earlier books, UltraMetabolism, I knew I liked his way of thinking. Since then he has 13 books on the NYT best seller list. You can get a taste of his knowledge by listening to an interview by Dan Harris in the 10% Happier podcast.
Pete McCall is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), international presenter, host of the All About Fitness podcast, fitness blogger and an author of several articles, textbook chapters and the book Smarter Workouts: the Science of Exercise Made Simple. This is a great, educational podcast to pick up more than a few exercise tips.
Our list includes just a few of the many great health & fitness podcast currently available. Lastly, we could all use a fresh perspective during these uneasy times and listening to an insightful podcast while exercising can help in that area and now you have a new show for each day of the week. Stay strong!
