Siim Kelner is a 21-year-old university student and gym trainer at Reval Sport who has become Estonia’s overall youth and junior bodybuilding champion after just two years of competing. In this interview, he talks about how lifting weights became a lifestyle, why dieting is harder than training and what he recommends to beginners stepping into the gym for the first time.
How Siim Kelner got into bodybuilding
Ball sports never really appealed to Siim. From the outset, lifting weights on his own in the gym felt more natural than the bustle of team sports. His first workout had him hooked — he first walked into a gym at 14, and training became a regular routine from then on.
Siim has been serious about competitive bodybuilding for two years. His coach is Ott Kiivikas, whose guidance has helped him rise quickly to the top. He considers his greatest sporting achievements to be his overall Estonian youth and junior bodybuilding title and his 2012 Tallinn bodybuilding title.
Siim Kelner’s training philosophy and goals
Asked whether bodybuilding is a job or a hobby, Siim gives the same answer as many experienced athletes: it is a lifestyle. He lives for it every day — food, sleep, his schedule and even work are all arranged around training.
His motivation comes from what he calls fanaticism — an inner drive to push harder than he did yesterday. The desire to see a better version of himself in the mirror matters just as much as his results on stage. “I can’t imagine living any other way now. It defines who I am,” he says.
Looking ahead, Siim wants to compete as much as possible, represent Estonia at a continental competition and bring home a medal. He is optimistic about the next generation of Estonian bodybuilders — young athletes are coming through, but there is plenty of work to do to generate interest.
Siim Kelner’s nutrition and supplements
Siim gets into contest shape through a strict diet. In the off-season, he says his physique gets “softer”, and he always has a fair amount of weight to lose. His diet is carefully planned and strict — the hardest part is not the individual meals, but staying consistent and resisting temptation for months on end.
He uses supplements in moderation:
- HT-R recovery drink after training
- Workout SHOCK before training for extra energy
- amino acids throughout each workout while dieting
- vitamins and joint support supplements
His worst habit? Overeating, he freely admits. Siim unwinds with a glass of red wine, good food and some peace and quiet.
Advice for beginners and FAQs about Siim Kelner
Siim’s message to beginners is simple: train, but take your time. “Consistency is what matters. Don’t be impatient — you have all the time in the world. Be sensible and don’t overdo it — injuries can be very difficult to deal with down the line.” If he could go back in time, he says he would have been less impatient himself and would not have put his body through so much punishment in the gym.
How old is Siim Kelner, and where does he train?
Siim is a 21-year-old university student and works as a gym trainer at Reval Sport. He started lifting weights at 14.
Who is Siim Kelner’s coach?
His coach is Ott Kiivikas, one of Estonia’s best-known bodybuilding coaches.
What is Siim Kelner’s greatest sporting achievement?
The overall Estonian youth and junior bodybuilding title and the 2012 Tallinn championship title.
Author:Turg.Fitness.ee
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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