America is obsessed with health and wellness. Despite being described as one of the unhealthiest countries in the world, the American people take in an abundance of information on ways to improve their health, get fit and just feel better.
To satiate those needs, there is no shortage of magazines dedicated to the topic - and that means ample opportunity for freelance writers looking to break into the consumer health market.
Whether you're writing about the latest dieting trend sweeping the nation or hoping to share your experience trying out a new fitness regimen with like-minded individuals, the 15 health and fitness magazines below are great places to get started.
15 health and fitness magazines to consider pitching to
Below are 15 health magazines that cover everything from fitness and nutrition to holistic medicine, spirituality, and living with challenging health conditions.
The IDEA Health and Fitness Association has four publications targeting fitness professionals including personal trainers, fitness instructors and health and wellness professionals: IDEA Fitness Journal, IDEA Trainer Success, IDEA Fitness Manager and IDEA Pilates Today.
Check out the author guidelines and submit a query that includes why your article is important, why you're the right person to write it, a brief outline of what you'll cover and an explanation of how you'll include "practical how-to information" within the article.
While the site does not specify pay rates, it does confirm it will pay "within 60 days of final acceptance."
Qualified industry professionals can pitch their ideas to Inside Fitness Magazine. This Canadian publication covers everything from training to food and nutrition.
The magazine's website offers more information for contributors, but is mum on pay rates.
Healthy Living Magazine covers the full gamut from health and anti-aging to beauty and parenting content. While it doesn't include specific pay information on its site, varies based on the department; amount of editing required; and pageviews.
This bimonthly lifestyle magazine "promotes physical health, mental clarity and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective." The publication looks for everything from exercise and nutrition articles to interviews, self-help, environmental stewardship, spiritual balance and family-relateed.
This magazine focuses on "healthy living from the ground up" and covers natural foods, products and services in Illinois and Iowa with a focus on healthy, sustainable lifestyles.
Freelancers write most of the articles that appear in Whole Life Times, a magazine that targets the holistic community. It addresses everything from natural health to yoga, spirituality, the environment and "anything that deals with a progressive, healthy lifestyle."
Whole Life Times is based in Southern California and wants local angles. The writers guidelines specify pay of $35-$125 for shorter stories and $75-$150 for longer ones; Who Pays Writers reported one person making 13 cents per word.
Readers of Fitness are typically women in their 20s and 30s who are interested in fitness and healthy lifestyles. The publication focuses on workouts, diets, beauty and other topics.
Writer's Market notes the publication pays $1 per word or more and buys 60-80 nonfiction pieces a year in addition to 30 or so columns. Who Pays Writers reported the magazine paid one writer $1.60 per word for an article.
Poz's audience is the HIV+ community, but it accepts submissions from any qualified writer, regardless of HIV status. Topics cover everything from treatments to nonprofits to people living with the condition. Back issues are available online.
This magazine covers a wide range of topics related to health, fitness and wellness, including parenting, senior health and natural healing.
Writer guidelines are available online. The Health Journal told TWL that pay rates "vary based on experience and skill level" and that the publication is "always looking for fresh voices."
Health writers, especially those with experience writing about cancer, may wish to pitch Cure, which focuses on people with the disease. The publication requires a medical writing background and offers specific writing guidelines covering everything from queries to fact-checking procedures.
Writers looking to cover topics ranging from Eastern philosophy to mainstream religion to social justice and wellness-related issues can pitch Spirituality & Health.
Its guidelines say it will pay up to $500, depending on the type of piece submitted.
Natural living and sustainable lifestyle topics are the focus of this publication, which especially seeks to provide facts and statistics that will keep readers engaged. Additionally, it is looking for global briefs and health briefs in addition to regular articles.
The Aquarian is a Canadian print publication that publishes the first week of March, June, September and December. It focuses on "holistic health (natural, complementary, alternative) and progressive environmental, social, cultural, political and spiritual issues" to "shed new light on the path to greater meaning.".
EatingWell is a national food magazine publishing 10 times a year that focuses on healthy eating, from the standpoints of cooking, nutrition science and food network-related social issues. It pays up to $1 per word.
Mother Earth Living focuses on maintaining a healthy, environmentally conscious lifestyle in the home. While it doesn't list specific payment information, Mother Earth does pay upon publication.
What's your favorite health or fitness publication? Have you submitted any pitches to them?
