Where Are They Now? The 6 Biggest Fitness YouTubers of The 2010s

If you were into fitness in the early 2010s, you remember the golden age of YouTube fitness. Before TikTok workouts and Instagram reels, there was a small group of creators who built the blueprint for what fitness content could be. They weren’t just posting workouts—they were building communities, launching clothing lines, and turning their physiques into full-blown empires.

But what happened to them? Some are still thriving. Others have stepped away. A few have faced serious health scares. Here’s where six of the biggest fitness YouTubers from the early 2010s are today.

1. Elliott Hulse (Strength Camp) — The OG Philosopher of Iron

Then: If you were on YouTube fitness in 2010, you knew “Yo, Elliott!” Elliott Hulse was one of the absolute pioneers of the space. Starting his channel in 2007, he built Strength Camp into a phenomenon—1.73 million subscribers, over 2,100 videos, and more than a billion total views. He wasn’t just another guy showing you how to bench press. He was the strongman who talked about becoming a better man. His message was simple: lift heavy, grow strong, and build character.

In 2009, he won “Strongest Man in Florida,” and that reputation carried him into the early days of YouTube fitness before most people even knew it was a thing. He was the original “fitness philosopher,” blending deadlifts with deep talks about purpose and masculinity.

Now: Elliott is still competing in strongman at 46 years old—and winning. He recently took the Europe’s Strongest Man U90kg title, hitting a 380kg deadlift and 170kg log press. But his life has taken some unexpected turns. The original Strength Camp Gym in St. Petersburg, Florida, closed its doors, with an Instagram post marking “the end of an era.”

Today, Elliott runs retreats for men in their 30s-50s, hosts “The Elliott Hulse Podcast,” and published a book called Make Men Strong Again. He’s also incorporated teachings from Osho into his philosophy, exploring bioenergetics and active meditation. He’s become a “healing strongman”—still lifting heavy, but now focused on emotional and spiritual strength too.

The Verdict: Still going, but evolved. Less YouTube grind, more retreats and deep work.

2. Scott Herman — The Reality TV Star Who Built a Fitness Empire

Then: Scott Herman had an unusual origin story for a fitness YouTuber. Before he was known for his shredded physique and no-nonsense training advice, he was on MTV’s The Real World: Brooklyn in 2009. But Scott wasn’t content being a reality TV footnote. He launched ScottHermanFitness on YouTube and built it into a massive channel with 2.8 million subscribers.

His approach was refreshingly simple: “The basics work.” He wasn’t selling magic pills or complicated systems. He offered science-based, straightforward advice—and people trusted him for it. He also founded MuscularStrength.com, a site featuring over 800 workouts, and became a brand ambassador for BSN supplements.

Now: Scott is still active, but his focus has shifted. He’s currently promoting his new sci-fi franchise, NiFe Wars, which he co-founded. It’s a pivot that shows his entrepreneurial drive extends far beyond fitness. He’s also been open about his personal fitness journey—recently sharing a goal to get back to 165 lbs and experimenting with daily 22-24 hour fasts.

He’s still posting on YouTube and Instagram, but his content has evolved. He’s less about “how to get huge” and more about longevity, consistency, and the business side of building a brand.

The Verdict: Still creating, but building a broader media empire beyond fitness.

3. Kali Muscle — From Prison to YouTube Stardom (And a Frightening Health Scare)

Then: Kali Muscle—born Chuck Kirkendall—had one of the most compelling backstories in fitness. He grew up in Oakland, California, with a rough childhood, and served time in prison. But he transformed his life through bodybuilding, starting his personal training career at 24 Hour Fitness and eventually building a massive online presence.

His YouTube channel racked up over a billion views. His Instagram grew to over a million followers. He launched the “Money & Muscle Podcast” and sold digital products through kalimuscle.com. His persona was intense, motivational, and unapologetic—catchphrases like “MIND YO BUSINESS” and “Grateful Everyday That I’m FREE” became his trademark.

Now: In January 2026, Kali Muscle suffered a serious heart attack while training at a gym in California. He collapsed and was placed in an induced coma for three days. The news spread rapidly across TMZ, Generation Iron, and major outlets. He survived and shared a health update on January 27, 2026, but it was a stark reminder of the physical toll that extreme bodybuilding can take.

This wasn’t his first heart-related scare. He’s been open about steroid use in the past, and his story has become a cautionary tale about the risks of pushing your body to the absolute limit. He’s still active on social media, but his content now has a more reflective tone.

The Verdict: Alive and recovering, but his health scare changed everything.

4. Christian Guzman — The $80 Million Empire Builder

Then: Christian Guzman started his YouTube channel in 2012 at age 19, frustrated with his “skinny frame.” He was just a kid from Sugar Land, Texas, filming his workouts in a garage. But he had an eye for business that most fitness creators lacked.

He founded Alphalete Athletics, an athleisure brand that became a powerhouse in the fitness apparel space. Then came Alphaland, a fitness-themed gym and content space. Then 3D Energy Drinks. Then the Summer Shredding Championship. What started as a YouTube channel became a full-blown empire valued at an estimated $80 million.

Now: Christian is still at the top of his game. He’s engaged to fellow fitness influencer “Buff Bunny” (Heidi Somers), and his businesses continue to grow. In December 2025, he announced an official collaboration with FIT KING focused on recovery. He’s also been open about his past struggles with Adderall addiction, discussing his journey to recovery on multiple podcasts.

His content has evolved from simple gym vlogs to behind-the-scenes looks at running a multi-million dollar business. He’s still training, still competing in Men’s Physique, and still posting regularly.

The Verdict: The most successful entrepreneur on this list. Still growing.

5. David Laid — The Transformation King Turned Creative Director

Then: David Laid’s story is the ultimate “skinny to jacked” transformation. Born in Estonia, he moved to the US after his father died in a tragic accident when David was just 2 years old. At 14, he was a “90 pound frail, lanky, near emaciated teen” who started lifting weights to build confidence.

His video “David Laid 3 Year Natural Transformation 14-17” went viral with 58 million views. It wasn’t just impressive—it was aspirational. Millions of skinny teenagers saw themselves in David and believed they could change too. He became one of the most recognizable faces in fitness, with 2.24 million YouTube subscribers and 6 million Instagram followers.

Now: In a major career move, David was appointed Creative Director of Lifting at Gymshark. The announcement was significant because David publicly stated that Gymshark had “strayed from its original roots” and that he disagreed with many of the company’s social media stances. His role is to restore the brand’s lifting-focused identity.

He’s still posting regularly—a recent Instagram post celebrated “2016 ➜ 2026. A decade of discipline, consistency, and relentless self-improvement.” He also hosts the “David Laid Podcast” and continues to inspire a new generation of lifters.

The Verdict: From viral teenager to corporate creative director. A remarkable arc.

6. Simeon Panda — The Highest-Earning Natural Bodybuilder

Then: Simeon Panda was the British giant who seemed to have it all. At 6’1″ and 230 lbs, he claimed to be a lifetime natural bodybuilder—a claim that sparked endless debate in the fitness community. But regardless of where you stood on that debate, his success was undeniable.

He started lifting at 16 as a skinny teenager in London. By the 2010s, he was one of the most recognizable fitness figures on the planet. Forbes named him one of the world’s top ten fitness influencers in 2017. Research from Currys PC World estimated he was the highest-earning health and fitness influencer, pulling in roughly $17.5 million per year.

Now: Simeon is still very much active. He was named Gold’s Gym Global Brand Ambassador and has appeared at multiple gym openings across the US. He owns multiple fitness brands including Just Lift, Elimin8, and his SP apparel line. He’s also a board member for Achilles, an ankle rehabilitation company.

His social media following has grown to over 12 million across platforms. He’s still posting training content, still claiming lifetime natural status, and still engaging with fans. As of mid-2026, he’s teasing a “huge announcement” on his channels.

The Verdict: Still at the peak of his influence. A true fitness mogul.

What This Group Tells Us

Looking at these six creators together, a few patterns emerge:

The survivors diversified. The ones who are still thriving—Guzman, Panda, Laid—didn’t just rely on YouTube ad revenue. They built clothing lines, supplement brands, gyms, and media companies.

The pioneers evolved. Elliott Hulse went from pure strength training to philosophy and retreats. Scott Herman is building a sci-fi franchise. The ones who stayed exactly the same didn’t last.

Health is the great equalizer. Kali Muscle’s heart attack is a sobering reminder that extreme physiques come with extreme risks. Even the strongest among us aren’t invincible.

The 2010s were a different world. These creators built their followings before algorithms favored short-form content, before TikTok, before the oversaturation of fitness influencers. They were the trailblazers—and most of them are still writing their stories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the most successful fitness YouTuber from the 2010s?
By net worth and business valuation, Christian Guzman leads the group with his Alphalete empire valued at approximately $80 million. However, Simeon Panda was named the highest-earning fitness influencer overall by some estimates.

Did any of these creators face serious health issues?
Yes. Kali Muscle suffered a major heart attack in January 2026 and was placed in an induced coma for three days. He has since recovered but the incident highlighted the risks of extreme bodybuilding.

Are any of these creators still active on YouTube?
Most are still active, though their posting frequency varies. Elliott Hulse, Scott Herman, Christian Guzman, David Laid, and Simeon Panda all continue to post content. Kali Muscle is also still active but has shifted his focus following his health scare.

Who had the most dramatic transformation story?
David Laid’s transformation from a 90-pound teenager to a shredded fitness model is arguably the most famous “skinny to jacked” story in YouTube history. His viral transformation video has over 58 million views.

Which of these creators built the biggest business?
Christian Guzman’s Alphalete Athletics is the most valuable single brand among the group, but Simeon Panda’s diversified portfolio (Just Lift, Elimin8, SP apparel, Gold’s Gym ambassadorship) makes him a strong contender for highest overall earnings.

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Sources:
– Elliott Hulse – YouTube
– Elliott Hulse – Greatest Physiques
– Scott Herman – IMDb
– Scott Herman – Muscular Strength
– Kali Muscle – Wikipedia
– Kali Muscle Heart Attack – TMZ
– Christian Guzman – Greatest Physiques
– Christian Guzman – LinkedIn
– David Laid – Wikipedia
– David Laid Gymshark Announcement
– Simeon Panda – Forbes
– Simeon Panda Gold’s Gym Ambassador