Aleksandra Nevski is an athlete and personal trainer whose story includes judo, BodyCombat, the gym and some very honest experience of training the wrong way. This is not a polished success story but a practical look at how they found their way back to exercise after an injury.
Name: Aleksandra Nevski
Age: 31
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 63.9 kg
Why does Aleksandra Nevski’s story resonate?
Aleksandra Nevski did not come to fitness from nowhere. They have always been drawn to tougher sports: boxing, karate and all kinds of self-defense disciplines. They spent the longest on judo, until a serious physical injury forced them to give up the sport after high school.
Honestly, this is a familiar place for many people. When the body gets hurt, the courage to start again disappears for a while, too. According to Aleksandra, for quite a long time they neither dared nor wanted to do anything at all. In 2014, however, they pulled themselves together and went to a sports club that had a large gym and the chance to join group classes.
There they ended up in a BodyCombat class. They liked it so much that they also got their instructor certification. After a while, though, they felt that cardio training alone was not enough. That is how they found their way to the gym.
Since then the gym has been their second home. For the last 3 years it has also been a lifestyle, not just a place to work out now and then.
Aleksandra Nevski’s achievements and background
In fitness, Aleksandra considers their greatest achievement to be first place at a beginners’ competition in 2017. They also placed 4th at the Estonian Cup competitions in Bodybuilding and Fitness.
Before fitness, their main sport was judo. They practiced it for 10 years and are a 3-time Estonian champion. That background explains well why they enjoy training sessions where you have to push hard, focus and truly feel your body.
What motivates them? First, Aleksandra. They say outright that seeing their own body develop is the best motivation. Second, their clients motivate them, because they work full-time as a personal trainer in Finland.
How does Aleksandra Nevski train?
When describing their training, Aleksandra keeps things simple. The workouts are strong, they say, and each time they want to be better than in the previous one. That does not mean, however, that you should always just pile on the weight.
Getting the feel right is what matters. They try to nail the exercise, listen to their body and enjoy the workout. This is especially important because they have trained very wrongly in the past and got badly burned by it.
A simple truth: muscle grows even when you don’t destroy it. That line should hang on the wall of every gym where people think a good workout must always end with a feeling of total breakdown.
Because Aleksandra has a fast metabolism and does group classes in addition to the gym, their energy expenditure in workouts doesn’t fall below 400 calories. As their coach puts it: the machinery works.
Food, supplements and recovery
For the past year, Aleksandra has eaten according to a fixed plan. During the week they stick to the nutrition plan exactly, because the goal is to build muscle mass and enjoy the process to the fullest.
On weekends they usually allow themself a meal out at a restaurant. That leaves more time to spend with friends and family. It sounds sensible: the plan gives direction, but life doesn’t have to stand still because of it.
They also admit to being a very lazy cook, so they eat simple, ordinary food. Their favorite used to be minced meat and potatoes made by their mother. Over time more favorites have been added, and lately they crave fried potatoes and eggs quite a lot.
When it comes to supplements, the picture is calm. During workouts they use BCAA and in the evening Omega-3. They don’t feel a need for anything else. By their own account they haven’t been ill for a very long time, so the body is working quite well.
To relax, they enjoy good music, the cinema and spa visits. As role models they name Liis Org, their coach Peep and, of course, themself. They say there are probably more role models, but for now they are staying within Estonia’s borders.
Aleksandra Nevski’s three tips for getting in shape
- Be sure to choose a competent coach who is the best in their field.
- Stop making excuses and get started right away, and don’t blame anyone else for your poor choices.
- Keep educating yourself in the field.
These tips are simple, but not soft. A good coach helps you avoid mistakes. Giving up excuses gets you moving. Learning on your own keeps you more independent and helps you make better choices.
FAQ
Which sport did Aleksandra Nevski come to fitness from?
They spent a long time on judo, 10 years in total, and are a 3-time Estonian champion. After the injury, they later found their way to BodyCombat and the gym.
What is their biggest fitness achievement?
In 2017 they took first place at a beginners’ competition and 4th place at the Estonian Cup competitions in Bodybuilding and Fitness.
Which supplements do they use?
They use BCAA during workouts and Omega-3 in the evening. They don’t feel a need for anything else.
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