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How To Create Workout Images with PicMonkey

February 9, 2015 by Julie 58 Comments

One of the most frequently asked questions I receive from blog readers relates to creating the workout images I share on the blog! I have been creating and sharing my workouts since PBF first launched in September 2009 but used to use Excel and Microsoft Paint to do so (yikes!) before I discovered PicMonkey a few years ago.

PicMonkey.com has been a total game-changer for me when it comes to creating eye-catching workout images. It’s incredibly user friendly and FREE, unless you want to pay $5 a month for a upgraded version, which I personally think is more than worth it. (The upgraded version gives you access to a lot more fonts, editing effects, images, etc.)

How To Create Workout Images Using PicMonkey

Playing around with PicMonkey is the best way to familiarize yourself with the site and get comfortable creating and editing images. Though I usually use Picasa to edit my photos (<—another free resource), I use PicMonkey to create ALL of my workout images.

Sample Workout Images

incline walking workout

jump rope lower body circuit workout

Legs Like Jello Leg Workout

living room workout

20 Minute Treadmill Interval Workout

You may find even more examples of the workout images I’ve created on the PBF Workouts Pinterest page.

As you can see, you can create tons of different workout images in PicMonkey and play around with many different pictures, fonts, colors, backgrounds and more. The possibilities are truly endless.

How To Create Workout Images Using PicMonkey

Here is a quick tutorial for those of you who have requested more information about how I create my workout images. You can also use this tutorial to create other images – I’ve used PicMonkey to create bridal shower invitations, bachelorette party itineraries, prints for my home office gallery wall, etc.

  • Visit PicMonkey.com, select the Design tab and choose the image size you wish to use for your workout image

PicMonkey Design

I typically prefer to use 8×10 because I find the quality is better since I like to share large, sharp images on the blog.

Note: If you wish to create a workout graphic on top of an existing image you have on your computer (like the Incline Walking Workout image above), click the Edit tab and upload your image.

  • Choose a background color for your image (if desired) by selecting Canvas Color under the Basic Edits tab

PicMonkey Tutorial

pic monkey teal background

I will frequently opt not to use a background color for my images because I find white image rather eye-catching! You can also choose unique textured backgrounds underneath the Textures tab (located right above the heart image on the left hand navigation). You may see an example of a workout image with a textured background here: 30 Minute Treadmill Interval Workout + Total Body Circuit Workout.

  • Click on the Frames tab and select a frame for your image (if desired)

PicMonkey Frames

This is another optional step, but I still wanted to highlight it for the purpose of a thorough tutorial.

picmoney frame

The next step is the fun part… It’s time to select your overlay images!

  • Select unique images to include in your graphic underneath the Overlays tab

PicMonkey Overlays

I will often use the images under the Geometric tab to help section off long blocks of a different color within the workout image, as shown below in white.

picmonkey workout image

To make sure you can type on top of an image or layer a new image on top of a different image, right click on top of the existing image and select “send to back.” This will make the image part of the background so you can begin layering additional images on top of it, if desired.

PicMonkey Send to back

Layering a star image on top of the white rectangle image:

picmonkey image layering

  • Add text by selecting the Text tab

PicMonkey Fonts

picmonkey text

  • Save image to your computer

Save PicMonkey

  • Share your image

10 Minute Ab Workout

That’s it!! Not too difficult, right? If it looks a little overwhelming at first, I totally understand and I cannot encourage you to play around on PicMonkey on your own enough. You’ll pick things up much faster through trial and error and be able to create images with relative ease once you start getting the hang of things.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any specific questions in the comments section of this post. I am more than happy to address anything I may have left out!

More Blogging Posts

More blogging-related tips and tutorials may be found on my Blogging page. Below you will find a few highlights:

  • How to Start a Blog, Blog Focus, Self Hosting and More
  • Blogger Safety
  • Company Outreach: Receiving Free Products, Hosting Giveaways, Posting Product Reviews and More
  • Connecting with Other Bloggers
  • Rising Above Negativity
  • Balancing Blogging and Real Life
  • How to Increase Blog Readership
  • Freelance Writing 101
  • Blog Pictures, Organization and Photo Editing
  • Blogging Tips for Beginners
  • My Number One Tip for Bloggers
  • Brainstorming Blog Topics
  • Tips for Non-Blog Savvy Folks
  • Everyday Blogging Tools

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Blogging, Tips, Workouts Tagged With: blog tips, blogging, blogging tips, workout images, workouts

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Lora says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    Great tutorial! I have PicMonkey and never use it, thanks for the reminder and encouragement to use it more–it’s to my advantage to do so! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 2:30 pm

      it really is a great resource! hope the tutorial helps!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:45 pm

    Thanks, Julie! I am a newbie to PicMonkey so this will really help me use it better. Question – I often find that it is a little slow and crashes out on me a lot. Do you ever have that issue? I am wondering if the upgrade alleviates any of those problems (I just use the free version right now). Just curious. Thanks again for all these great tips!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      i actually have never had that problem, even before the upgrade… i’m so sorry you have! that would definitely annoy me!

      Reply
      • Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

        February 9, 2015 at 3:14 pm

        Thanks for the feedback! Lol…yes, it is very frustrating sometimes. I’ll have to look a little deeper into it – perhaps there’s another issue. Have a good afternoon. 🙂

        Reply
  3. Emily says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    I was so excited to see the title of this post pop up this morning! I have always wondered how you made your graphics. I once spent quite a while searching your blog and google looking for the answer when I needed to make a similar graphic for work, so glad to know the answer 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 2:57 pm

      awesome!!! i hope it’s helpful for you, emily!

      Reply
  4. Katie @ Live Half Full says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:51 pm

    Great tips! I love PicMonkey for making things like this and also for editing photos. It’s so user friendly and makes a big difference!

    Reply
  5. Amy @ Happy Healthy RD says

    February 9, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    I think I first heard of Picmonkey when you shared it awhile ago. So thank you for that! It really is super easy to use especially if you are creatively challenged when it comes to graphics and photos as I sometimes am. 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 2:58 pm

      you and me both!!

      Reply
  6. Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    Great tips! I always love your workout images :)!

    Reply
  7. joelle (on a pink typewriter) says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    I LOVE PicMonkey! It’s the best website.. I’ve been using it since you first mentioned it years ago!

    Reply
  8. Heather @ Life In Leggings says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    PicMonkey is THE BEST! I totally agree on the upgraded membership being completely worth the money. Great tutorial!

    Reply
  9. Rachel @ Blonde with a Chanse says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:31 pm

    I love this tutorial!! I think Pic Monkey is awesome, but I just use the free version 🙂 You seriously have the cutest workout graphics though! I love them!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      thank you!! <3

      Reply
  10. sam @ grapefruit & granola says

    February 9, 2015 at 3:59 pm

    I love pic monkey! I use it all the time, even for things not blogging related.

    Reply
  11. Run Eat Play says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    Great tutorial! I use PicMonkey but didn’t even know some of that! Thanks!

    Reply
  12. Katy @ Life with a Twist says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Thank you SO much for sharing this! I recently started blogging again and have been looking for an easier way to do cute visuals. I’m in marketing and rely on photoshop daily, but it’s a lot to do for blog posts and too pricey for my home computer! Can’t wait to try out PicMonkey!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 9, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      I don’t have Photoshop either and feel like PicMonkey does a decent job filling that job for free (or really cheap) 🙂

      Reply
  13. Leslie @ Life Begins at 30? says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    I love PicMonkey! Great tips and tricks! I will definitely start using the 8×10 size to help with image quality.

    Reply
  14. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says

    February 9, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    I have so much fun with PicMonkey. I’ve been creating images much like you suggest above using the free version, but maybe it’s time to upgrade? Thanks for sharing your tips. Your workouts look awesome!

    Reply
  15. Kelly Runs for Food says

    February 9, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    I love PicMonkey! I pay the $5 so I can airbrush my photos haha. I’ve also been known to give my tan a boost as well…..

    Reply
  16. Annette Perkins (@FitnessPerks) says

    February 9, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    This tutorial is so perfect, thank you!

    Reply
  17. Zoë says

    February 9, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    Great tutorial! I love the images you create, they make everything super clear and really grab my attention! I look forward to playing around on PicMonkey; I’m thinking I could make some pretty adorable recipe cards… 🙂

    Reply
  18. Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} says

    February 9, 2015 at 5:49 pm

    Great tutorial! I love you posts on behind the scenes of blogging.

    Reply
    • Courtney {Alkeks Abroad} says

      February 9, 2015 at 5:50 pm

      Your* not you whoops!

      Reply
  19. Justin from Extreme Health Radio says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:06 pm

    Funny I’ve been wanting something exactly like this for about a month now and today I run across your post. You can find anything on the internet! 😉

    Reply
  20. Skinny Fitalicious says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I love pic monkey. It’s my favorite blogging tool.

    Reply
  21. Tara @ Living Light says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I just created my first pic-monkey workout – perfect timing!

    This helps to break it down. Thanks 🙂

    Reply
  22. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says

    February 9, 2015 at 6:57 pm

    I am OBSESSED with pic monkey! I did a presentation kind of like this at HLS a couple years ago! It’s just the best 🙂

    Reply
  23. Emily @ Sweet Summer Smiles says

    February 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Thank you for posting Julie! I just made my first photo edit with PicMonkey last night and love how easy it is!

    Reply
  24. Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says

    February 9, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    Great resource Julie! Thanks for putting it together.

    Reply
  25. Lee says

    February 9, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    This is really inspirational because I need the motivation to work out and I need to make this for myself. I better stick this in front of my door because it will probably remind me better unlike my phone would tell me haha 🙂

    Lee
    http://Www.lastnightwithlee.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. theregoesmollyrose says

    February 9, 2015 at 9:00 pm

    NO LIE, I had big plans on emailing you this week about how to do this! You reading my mind?! Thanks for the awesome tutorial, can’t wait to try it out. Have a great week Julie!

    Reply
  27. Alicia says

    February 9, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks for this!! I use picmonkey for collages a lot and have only played around in the design tab a bit. I think I was missing that “send to back” step before, so this is really helpful!!

    Reply
  28. Kelly says

    February 9, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    I LOVE picmonkey and use it almost daily for educational technology projects. It is well worth the low $$.

    I discovered a new tool today that is similiar but different that also looks promising called canva.com

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 10, 2015 at 10:25 am

      i’ve heard great things about canva but haven’t explored it at all yet — hope to check it out soon!

      Reply
  29. Nicole @ Squash on Squash says

    February 9, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    This is a great tutorial, thanks, Julie! I’ve used PicMonkey a bit before, but my images don’t turn out the way yours do! I’m hoping all it takes is some practice 🙂

    Reply
  30. Stacy @ Sweating Tulipz says

    February 10, 2015 at 2:21 am

    How crazy! I just made my first Pic Monkey Workout Graphic today. I was making Power Point slides and saving them as .jpg files. AHHH! I was searching everywhere to try to find out how everyone made theirs look so great and discovered Pic Monkey on my own then tonight found this post! Thanks for the explanations! My question is, when I save the image to my computer then upload it to my blog, you cannot click on it like you can on your blog post. I am so new to blogging and am teaching myself as I go so if this is a stupid question, I apologize. It uploads fine, but I want it to be pin-able and also give my readers the ability to click on it to make it larger. Any idea what I am doing incorrectly? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 10, 2015 at 10:27 am

      you probably just need to create a larger image and save it as a large image so it expands when readers click it! it’s kind of confusing, but i just create an 8×10 image and upload it and use windows live writer to make it larger on my blog!

      Reply
  31. Sarah F says

    February 10, 2015 at 4:50 am

    Thanks for the tip- I will definitely be checking out Picmonkey. Does this mean you’re bringing Blog Talk Tuesdays back? 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 10, 2015 at 10:27 am

      i had so much fun with that series! if you have any post requests, let me know! i just ran out of ideas! 🙂

      Reply
  32. Lizzie S. says

    February 10, 2015 at 10:13 am

    I vote to bring back blog talk Tuesdays! When I started my blog last fall, I went back and read all of our tips. Keep ’em coming 😉

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 10, 2015 at 10:28 am

      any specific topic requests?? i’m more than happy to share more blogging-related posts but just run out of ideas and i’m not sure what would interest you guys!

      Reply
      • Lizzie S. says

        February 10, 2015 at 10:38 am

        I would love to hear about how you manage your time in terms of writing and scheduling your posts. Particularly when you were working full-time and blogging twice a day, how the heck did you do it? Any new resources for bloggers? I type my posts in WordPress.com, which doesn’t accurately spell check. I always find a few typos once I’ve hit “publish,” and it annoys me beyond belief.

        Also, I would love to see the return of PBF Book Club!

        Reply
        • Julie says

          February 10, 2015 at 10:49 am

          i also ALWAYS find typos after publishing even though i try to always take the time to proof read. i feel your pain! i love this idea for a post though!!

          Reply
  33. Mattie @ Comfy & Confident says

    February 10, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I use picmonkey but I never thought to use the geometric shapes to section off the text.

    Reply
  34. Kelly @ The Fit Skool says

    February 10, 2015 at 11:39 am

    Thanks so much for this post. Sometimes these sites can be intimidating to use but you broke it down perfectly 🙂

    Reply
  35. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen says

    February 10, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Love this! Your workout images are always so stinkin cute!

    Reply
  36. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says

    February 10, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    I love PicMonkey! I still need to spend some more time on it, but it’s my go to for cropping and making images for some of my workouts that I post online. Thanks for the tip about right clicking to send things to the background; I didn’t know about that! I always like your graphics and I think this is a great post!

    Reply
  37. Tina@GottaRunNow says

    February 10, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    I know Picmonkey is great for adding text to photos. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  38. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    February 11, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    I use Pic Monkey to make graphics for my blog too. It didn’t take me too long to get the hang of it. I wish I had started using it sooner!

    Reply
  39. Jordan @ Harleys and Heels says

    February 12, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Oh my goodness. Seriously, this couldn’t have come at a better time. THANK YOU for the easy to follow tutorial. I just walked through it and created a fun design to showcase my clients weight loss totals for January. It looks incredible!! Especially now that I know how the heck to use the website. Thank you so very much! You are awesome.

    Reply
  40. Lauren says

    February 16, 2015 at 3:18 am

    PicMonkey was a game changer for bloggers. But then I found PhotoshopCC for only $10 a month and I haven’t looked back 🙂

    Reply
  41. Rosie says

    February 16, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    Absolutely LOVE LOVE Pic Monkey. I also use Canva, although now Canva is starting to charge for some of their templates.

    Reply
  42. Jessica says

    February 16, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Wooo – thanks SO much! After totally creping on your suggestion for self-hosting, I finally made the migration yesterday! Can’t wait to keep up the creativity with picmonkey (much better than the lame, plain Jane typing I’ve been doing, ha!) Thanks for the tips. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Andrea Gnys says

    June 3, 2015 at 10:20 am

    This. Is. Awesome.

    Thank you for the wicked and super thorough tutorial !!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 20 Minute LEG + Core Workout | Peanut Butter Fingers says:
    May 7, 2015 at 8:10 am

    […] I typically use PicMonkey to create all of my workout images (check out this post for a tutorial: How To Create Workout Images in PicMonkey), but when I attended BlogFest last year, a few bloggers recommended Canva as another great design […]

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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