Hard work pays off

I've been a Bodyfitness athlete since autumn 2008 and have had several competitions after that. Now the year is 2012 and my hard work has really payed off. One of my biggest dreams have come true - I have become an athlete on Better Bodies Nordic Team! I've always been a fan of Better Bodies workout gear and getting the chance to promote Better Bodies is great, I am so gratefull!

I have competed every year since 2008, and now it's time to take a short break before I enter the stage again, probably in 2013. Last year my training was focused on strength; heavy lifting and lower volume, and I held a high frequence during the week when it comes to shoulders, back and hamstrings. Now my focuse has changed and I'm all in for more quality in my muscles, and higher volume and more reps is what it's all about. Variation is the key, and I tend to vary between exercises almost every week to give my body a shock.


A typial week for me can look like this
Reps tend to vary, but I usually go by one heavy week with lower reps followed by a lighter week with higher reps. Always try to chock my body.

Monday: 
Shoulders and biceps 

Tuesday: 
Hamstrings, calfes and abs (heavy) 

Wednesday:
Chest and tricpes 

Thursday:
Quads and abs or off day 

Friday:
Back and calfes 

Saturday:
Quads and abs or off day (depends on if I worked out on thursday or not)

Sunday:
Off - always! :)

I think cardio is important and I do cardio at least 4 times per week all year around. Usually I do intense cardio the days I train legs - meaning my interval sessions. I don't want my legs to grow bigger, I just want to change some small things. I need it to stay in shape, but I also love to train cardio for endurance. In earlier years I have gained about 7-8 kgs after my competitions, but now I'm keeping my weight in check. The key to get lean enough for a show is to stay in decent shape also offseason, at least for me. I know my body well and if I go on a diet more then 3 months I just get soft and small..so I better keep that intensity going ;)! But I love it, so I don't bother.    

Time to get to the gym and hit those weights. Quads, calfes and abs are coming up :)!

Peace and love,

Marianne