Every January, several lists surface advising you on which fitness professionals to follow in the coming year. These lists are rarely to my satisfaction, so I decided to make my own in order to better inform the general public regarding who the most qualified practitioners are.
My selection criteria were pretty strict, so I apologize in advance if you or your favorite fitness professional didn't make the cut. With only 17 spots, I had to make some tough decisions.
Without further ado, I present the Top 17 Fitness Professionals to Watch in 2017:
1. The Bachelor, Nick Viall
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wpUWbxhDpsQ/WHxKOAgb0EI/AAAAAAAAHNI/KfZNtiRlhTYwq0R0IiYE8hcM5ROtkLOFgCK4B/s200/B41E81C3-AD7A-4575-A6D1-8F7F1CD54254_zpsra4grgxl.jpg)
The dude's ripped. What more could you want from a fit pro?
2. Donald Trump
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b_hpu5B29-8/WHxKcZLrhyI/AAAAAAAAHNQ/GEfQyydCYAIF9OSpQz_f1FyC0NBSvq7NACK4B/s320/donald-trump-e-1024.jpg)
He's bound to get in great shape running away from his responsibilities. He's also a good resource for hair tips.
3. Pukie the CrossFit Clown
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II-CIPORvco/WHxKkrxiM6I/AAAAAAAAHNY/6c5t6qnTSKocKrc3vebtpWAo-NoTeeYygCK4B/s320/8854765159887151096581080325913o.jpg)
If the bar's not bending, you're just pretending.
4. Lil BUB
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dhybq3t7lyc/WHxK5-P5cUI/AAAAAAAAHNo/_KXcGkt5y_oly_wqwHCRfqTkh1ri4X5MwCK4B/s320/LilBub.jpg)
Have you heard this cat purr?
5. The Green Power Ranger
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlIBfJhhSYE/WHxLNYbGKgI/AAAAAAAAHNw/8BLrxswcRWwU0rTsFTn0_v7nA_lTDlk8QCK4B/s320/GreenRanger.jpg)
He later became the white Power Ranger, and that's quite the transformation.
6. Joel Embiid
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ3lBhS85rw/WHxLSvmF82I/AAAAAAAAHN4/m5mwX5o0jKkxWTrt_Y9eVj82U5CynTs3wCK4B/s320/hi-res-57b44a84987b07603a5a2df726c7de43_crop_north.jpg)
His Twitter game is on point. In the fitness industry, that's often enough.
7. Cirque Du Soleil
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y__WGv12cIE/WHxLZZxaX6I/AAAAAAAAHOA/gE1nneCPnvk2twGxxI10pk45AFfSum5iACK4B/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-01-15%2Bat%2B10.50.23%2BPM.png)
While not a person, per se, the performers do exhibit some absurd feats of strength.
8. Arnold
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jGZWxsqWTqk/WHxLmodX1ZI/AAAAAAAAHOM/y55pUsMdWegz3sg4xzuDg9mJLLBBkrLWgCK4B/s320/Screen-shot-2013-04-10-at-7.51.27-PM.png)
Arnold. Need I say more?
9. George R.R. Martin
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5r8MxAOqQIc/WHxLrol0mCI/AAAAAAAAHOU/t3VaFSqZbfENGslCil9wbB2Y0EhK_Hh2gCK4B/s320/george-rr-martin-2011.jpg)
The guy's books weigh a freakin' ton! It's a bicep curl just to hold one of those things up to read, let alone to write them.
10. Donald Duck
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kFXubP-wGTk/WHzX0GCGojI/AAAAAAAAHPo/1HFNgus5SOER242Z3d5swU3ElnO-LK0NwCK4B/s320/donweights.gif)
Bold prediction of 2017: this is the year he finally "fixes" his anterior pelvic tilt.
11. My dog, Roo (AKA The Fitness Pupenator)
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p6v7q-kOphU/WHxL0ggq5mI/AAAAAAAAHOk/3ZQw8Wnb5cw0wE4CJwQhhmWfRNJs0gveACK4B/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-01-15%2Bat%2B10.52.27%2BPM.png)
She's an inspiration! #whatsyourexcuse #youreprobablyjustlazy
12. The Pope
![](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5sDF7HDGtNE/WHxL2kHFOAI/AAAAAAAAHOs/h6pKqyWQrVIai8c9lsmIKBxnmYBZELJXACK4B/s320/maxresdefault.jpg)
I heard he bent that cross with his bare hands.
13. Barbra Streisand
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTBN_uITRRM/WHxL6HdOQlI/AAAAAAAAHO0/Sot6slr3VFUcLEFYGva2ZrtKcxZc42EigCK4B/s320/barbra-streisand-2015-Women-in-Entertainment-billboard-650.jpg)
Yup, she's still kickin'. Looking good for 74, too, in my opinion.
14. Giuliano and Claudio
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFoRcQ-4xiQ/WHxMK1YL7DI/AAAAAAAAHO8/AUzilLD7yjInOmvsYVzV0r2FXNO7zT0NQCK4B/s320/928421_1757707911124013_1384643249_n.jpg)
Really two people, but they're tiny enough to be one. They're finally almost old enough to lift, too.
15. Donald Trump's Cabinet
![](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNueqIo0ZFQ/WHxMRJRsJaI/AAAAAAAAHPE/HhV9Y38RQSQxKjH1OPibvJvmUCrmlNOEgCK4B/s320/trumpcabinet2.png)
They're bound to get fit chasing after him.
16. Shakira
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDI_0ZARyUM/WHxMTwlKcHI/AAAAAAAAHPM/jGSdtQiF7tA5iH4u5r3GZDTm8Pa6x3pFgCK4B/s320/shakirastory_647_022616042206.jpg)
Her hips don't lie, and neither does this list.
17. Travis Pollen
![](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6BwakoOFJ0o/WHxMbC2mw1I/AAAAAAAAHPU/_1acXB0sf3UhXuVVHVAS2lJtUu3cJQ0NQCK4B/s320/bicep%2Bcurl.png)
What list would be complete without its creator? Be sure to comment below if you believe there's someone who deserves to be on the list that I left off.