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3 fitness documentaries on Netflix to inspire your next workout

Bethany Hamilton became a professional surfer after losing her arm in a shark attack Brian A Witkin/Shutterstock

Most Netflix subscribers know that the streaming service offers a lot of documentaries. These films capture real life and real issues one scene at a time and help their viewers better understand a certain topic or point of view.

Netflix documentaries come in many shapes and sizes, with subject matters varying pretty widely. One example is sports and fitness. There are many of these documentaries and plenty of stories to tell, but a few examples stand out from the rest.

Looking for a little inspiration for your fitness routine? Look no further than the three best sports and fitness documentaries available on Netflix today.

Unstoppable (2018)

Many people probably know the broad strokes of the Bethany Hamilton story. But that doesn’t make it any less astounding or inspirational.

Hamilton lost an arm at age 13 following a shark attack. But over time she overcame the tragedy and began to pursue her dream: becoming a professional surfer. After years of toil, she finally made it, and her journey is truly one for the books. This film, recorded over a four-year, also shows Hamilton as she raises a family–and gets right back to the waves and surfing success when she finds the time.

Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

Limitless (2017)

In this well-reviewed documentary, a group of women in India use running as a way of not only improving themselves but escaping and processing the challenging world around them.

Checking in at under an hour, this short documentary shows that even something as simple as running can be an act of defiance. The eight women depicted in the film all display the grit and determination of heroes.

The aspirational tone of this film will have you lacing up your sneakers before they roll the credits.

Foxys Forest Manufacture/Shutterstock

The Game Changers (2019)

Pop some popcorn — hold the butter — for this illuminating documentary.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, and a cast of luminaries made The Game Changers possible. With heavy-hitters like these involved, it’s hard not to be curious about the subject matter. In the case of this documentary, it’s a compelling athletic case for adopting a plant-based or vegan diet.

At a glance, the host, former UFC fighter James Wilks, seems like an unlikely candidate to adopt a vegan diet. But that’s exactly the point. Follow Wilks on a path of discovery that shows how athletes from the NFL to the soccer pitch improve their performance through this increasingly popular lifestyle.

Documentaries are ideal ways to learn more about the world around us. They can also inspire us to new heights. That’s precisely the case with all three of these Netflix documentaries, all of which were made to help you rethink what’s possible.

BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

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Scott Harris
Scott Harris is a freelance writer based near Washington, DC, with more than a decade of experience covering health…
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