If you haven’t heard of Periscope, don’t worry, you’re not alone. This new live-streaming video app developed by Twitter is the latest social media craze to hit the street, and it’s quickly picking up steam.
Of course, Periscope isn’t the first live-streaming video service to hit the market. YouTube and Google+ have live-streaming options, Instagram and SnapChat allow quick video clips, and Meerkat was thought to be the next big thing before Periscope arrived… so why is Periscope getting such a substantial following?
The answer is simple: It’s backed by Twitter’s popularity and delivers casual, “come as you are” video that feels more accessible than the more formal production of Google Hangouts or YouTube feeds. Also, anyone can follow anyone else’s scope (the term for the live feeds) as long as it’s set to public.
Of course, enterprising businesses and individuals are looking for ways to capitalize on the new service, which means fitness professionals are rushing to offer live workouts and fitness tips to gain a following. The trick, though, is actually finding these live workouts and following the correct accounts.
Unlike some social platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter, you can’t easily use hashtags (at least for now) to search for topics. You have to either: 1) Search for live scopes by geographical location, 2) View scopes being held live by those you follow, or 3) Look through recent scopes suggested by the app.
This means you need to be intentional about following accounts known for holding live workouts (even if they haven’t hosted Periscope workouts yet) in order to be notified through the app when live workouts take place.
Confused yet?
It is a little confusing, but that’s why I’m here! Check out these tips for finding live workouts on Periscope more easily.
1. Sign Up
Duh. If you don’t have your own account, you can’t follow live workouts. You can get the Android or iPhone app free.
2. Follow Your Favorite Fitness Accounts On Twitter
Because Twitter and Periscope are linked, you can follow your favorite fit tweeters on Periscope with ease. First, make sure you follow top fitness experts on Twitter, then in the Periscope app, click the people icon. The list provided will include the people you follow on Twitter, so you can scroll through or search for the fitness experts, then follow your favorites.
Keep in mind that many of these account holders may not be active scopers yet. That’s okay! If you follow them now, you’ll automatically receive notifications later if they choose to become active on Periscope.
3. Search for Users With Hashtags in Their Profiles
The only way to use hashtags to search for people is if users have included specific hashtags in their profile summary. By going to the people icon, you can use the search icon to search for specific users or specific hashtags. Try searching “#workouts” or “#fitness” to see who pops up.
Again, this is a limited search function because only users who have these hashtags in their profile will show up.
4. Search for Periscope Workouts on Twitter
Granted, this is a clunky way to find live workouts on Periscope, but it does work. Whenever a public broadcast goes live on Periscope, the scoper has the option to share the broadcast on Twitter. The tweet looks something like this:
“LIVE on #Periscope: [Title of Broadcast] [@username] [link to broadcast].”
By searching Twitter using the hashtags #Periscope and #workout, you can find accounts that are actively streaming videos on Periscope. Granted, many of these live links will have expired by the time you check the link, but you can still follow the user to be notified when they host a new live workout down the line.
5. Follow Accounts Already Streaming Live Workouts on Periscope
While not many users have made a name for themselves yet on the live-streaming Periscope front, many are starting to take hold. Consider following these accounts to help get you started:
- @PearlStreetFit – Hosts two to three live workouts each week lasting 20-30 minutes
- @BexLife – Offers short workouts and meditations every morning at 11:11
- @RedHotDanceFit – Provides access to the workout studio’s live classes
- @BeachYogaGirl – Streams live yoga classes
- @GirlsGoneSporty – Hey, that’s me! You can expect weekly functional workouts and fitness challenges, as well as daily “1-minute workouts” that occur at random times to encourage quick bursts of activity throughout the day.
- @ShaunTFitness – The genius behind the Insanity workouts has no problem streaming workouts live to his more than 2.2 million followers
- @RachaelNFitness – Rachael offers live workouts every Wednesday (which she announces on Tuesday night), then posts the workout to her YouTube channel
- @SaraHaleyFit – This pre-and post-natal fitness expert and celebrity trainer offers great, real-world workouts that even get her kids involved
- @PowerFitness – Erin offers quick Tabata workouts every Tuesday at 12:34 that you can do anywhere, with or without kids in tow
6. Get Moving and Experiment
Periscope is still in its very early days – it’s barely been live for six months. Expect things to grow and change, and in the meantime, take advantage of the fitness culture as it emerges. Go ahead and do the workouts available, and be on the lookout for new users on a regular basis.
