In 2014, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet won the CrossFit Games and became known as the "Fittest Woman on Earth." The title has stuck over the years as she's continued competing internationally, both in the Games and as a member of the Canadian National Team in Olympic Weightlifting.
She is now a seven-year individual CrossFit Games veteran and has finished in the top 10 in most of those appearances. She has also won five out of seven regional competitions, making her an enduring figure in the weightlifting community.
We recently sat down with Camille to get her tried-and-true workout tips.
1. Have a pre-gym ritual.
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"Things change day to day. Lacking motivation, stress or other distractions can sideline your attendance and performance in the gym."
"Having the same pre-workout meal, drink, music or warm-up routine can help reboot your mind, turn the distractions off and put you in the zone to be productive, regardless of what may be happening outside of your training."
2. Have a set goal for what you're trying to accomplish.
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"This goal should be something that is tangible, measurable and trackable. You should also have both long-term goals and short-term goals."
"You may not be able to hit a PR every day, but look for positive trends and signs of improvement across weeks and months."
3. Pick a gym that fits you.
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"Training should feel like the best hour of your day. Yes, really."
"The gym should be a place you enjoy and feel a part of. Finding the right community and vibe in a gym will make you feel like an accepted regular…and more likely to never miss workouts."
4. Have a workout buddy or training partner.
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"Being accountable to someone else can push you not to be lazy or skip sessions. If they're going that extra rep, so are you. And if they're waiting for you at the gym, you're more likely to show up."
5. Stay focused when you're training.
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"There can be so many different distractions at the gym. It is great to be friendly, but stay focused when training and save the social hour for after your session. Remember: you're there to work."
6. Reach out to coaches and athletes who know more than you.
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"Have questions? Get them answered! Don't be afraid to ask for help from more experienced gym-goers—they've been in your shoes before and are usually happy to give advice."
"Also, consistently educate yourself by reading informative articles and trying new things to see what works for your body."
7. Build your base first.
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"Make sure you develop proper mechanics before adding weight and intensity. Moving well will increase your progress over the long-term and lower your risk of injury."
8. Warm-up.
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"A good training session should have a strong, general warm-up to take you through a full range of motion and increase your heart rate, as well as a skill-specific warm up to rehearse whatever body parts you'll focus on during that training session."
"In other words, if you're doing legs one day, spend extra time warming up your legs so they're ready to move."
9. Record your results.
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"You should record your results after every workout—times, weight, rounds or reps—all in one log book. Decreased times or increased weights mean you are getting fitter, which will motivate you to keep working hard."
10. Focus on recovery.
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"Recovery is actually where your body makes the physical changes that get you fitter. Make sure to take one to two full rest days a week. Refuel and rehydrate yourself as quickly as possible after and during training sessions."
"If you're not sure where to start, try out different Xendurance products, like Xendurance PROTEIN, which will help rebuild muscle after a hard training session."
About the Author
Jackie Veling is a past Senior Editor at ACTIVE.com. She’s passionate about overall wellness and body positivity, and her favorite way to stay active is through running. You can follow her on Twitter.
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