Jane Tammearu caught the eye in bikini fitness with an honest way of talking, a long road to the stage and a very practical attitude. This story sums up how Jane ended up in the gym, what they consider important in training and nutrition, and what advice they give to anyone who wants to get into better shape.
Name: Jane Tammearu
Age: 29
Height: 181cm
Weight: the off-season maximum has been 67kg. No matter how much they eat, they haven’t managed to get any higher. Stage weight stays a little under 60kg, but every season is different. Jane doesn’t chase numbers.
Jane Tammearu and the road to bikini fitness
In 2013, Jane lived in the Netherlands but was on a work placement in Estonia. At the same time, Jane was going to group classes at Reval. Not just a couple of times a week, but sometimes 2-3 group sessions a day, and that almost every day.
Through friends, Jane got to know Siim Veri. One evening at Reval, Siim asked whether Jane had ever thought about training in the gym. Of course not. Siim offered to show what you can do in a gym, and so they started training together.
An important detail: Jane did the same exercises as Siim. There was no separate program for men and women. Ott Kiivikas also trained in the same gym, and at some point started asking: “So, when are you going on stage?” At first Jane didn’t even understand what was meant, because they had never heard of bikini fitness. That’s where it all began.
Jane Tammearu’s biggest achievements
When it comes to bikini fitness, the biggest achievements are three Estonian championship titles in their height category and three finals at European and world championships. The placings were 5 and 6.
Before the gym and the stage, Jane had tried other sports too. In athletics, the long jump and the 60m sprint went well. Basketball was on the list as well, although Jane didn’t actually like it at all.
What motivates Jane? Something very simple: the mirror and the weights in training. When the body starts to change and the weights go up, the feedback is visible right away. For Jane, the mirror tells whether it’s time to gain weight or lose it.
Jane Tammearu’s training and nutrition
Jane’s daily nutrition follows a fairly fixed rhythm. Jane says they perhaps watch their food even more when they need to gain weight, because they don’t eat enough, even though their stomach feels full all the time.
When contest prep begins, Jane cuts all junk from the menu overnight and hardly ever eats out. Jane does count calories, but if they can’t be bothered on some days, nothing happens. The reason is simple: the menu is pretty much the same every day.
For example, Jane can easily eat homemade macaroni or potato salad 2x a day for two months. Porridge works the same way, and on good days it’s made from 12 ingredients. Jane’s favorite food is still the grilled chicken from the Prisma hot counter.
In training, Jane has five different training days. Three of them are for the lower body and two for the upper body. The programs have been written by Jane’s current coach, Siim Kelner. A dull “back day” or “shoulder day” doesn’t suit Jane, because training only one or two muscles for a whole workout is boring for them.
Jane doesn’t do cardio and has hardly ever done it. Since they haven’t managed to eat their way to kilos of fat, they see no need to burn it off with cardio. If they occasionally want to watch a YouTube video, they may still do some cardio.
As for supplements, Jane uses creatine. Now and then Jane takes BCAA when they don’t feel like plain water. Occasionally, Jane adds a few grams of protein powder to the porridge.
What you can learn from Jane’s story
Jane doesn’t talk about getting in shape as something mystical. Jane’s way of talking is full of practical straightforwardness. Training has to be hard, food has to support the goal, and if you don’t know what to do, you ask someone who can help.
- To get into any kind of shape at all, your workouts need to be hard. If you mostly chat or fiddle with your phone during a workout, you’re not giving your body much reason to change.
- Everything you eat should do something for you. Whether the goal is to gain weight or lose it, “I just felt like it” decisions tend to raise questions later.
- Ask someone who already knows the subject. The best option is of course a coach. If you’re not sure what to do or how to do it, ASK!
When it comes to relaxing, Jane’s answer is just as blunt. Jane doesn’t feel the need to rest in silence. Spas don’t appeal, complete silence doesn’t suit them, and a holiday can feel more like an obligation. Jane likes having people and noise around, and drinking wine with friends on weekends.
Jane doesn’t really have role models or idols. Jane doesn’t consider themselves a devoted fan of anyone, but among bikini fitness athletes they like the long-legged Russian girls Natalja Lugovskih and Katerina Lapteva.
FAQ: Jane Tammearu
How did Jane Tammearu get into bikini fitness?
In 2013, Jane attended group training sessions at Revalis, met Siim Veri and began training in the gym under Siim’s guidance. Later, Ott Kiivikas steered the idea toward stepping on stage.
How much cardio does Jane do?
Almost none. Jane says that since they have never managed to eat their way to kilos of extra fat, there has been no need to burn it off with cardio.
What is Jane’s main advice for beginners?
You have to actually train, not fiddle with your phone. If the exercises or the program are unclear, it’s worth asking a trainer or someone who knows the subject for advice.
Author:Turg.Fitness.ee
Come and train! ArtGym
