Quick Bio:
Age: 30
Height: 5’6″ - 167 cm
Contest Weight: 141 lbs - 64 kg
Off-Season Weight: 150 lbs - 68 kg
Location: London, England
How did you get started with bodybuilding?
I’ve always been involved in competitive sports, in fact I used to run long distance for Great Britain. However, a whole heap of injuries had kept me out of training for far too long, and this led me to weight training - mainly for injury prevention at the time, but I realised I actually enjoyed the weights more than the running!
When I was still finding my feet in the gym, I met a very good friend of mine on a biomechanics training course - she already competed in the fitness division, and said I had real potential, encouraging me to give it a try.
How do you stay so motivated? What drives you?
What I love about bodybuilding is there is never an end point, your physique is constantly evolving - for me this is enough motivation in itself. I love seeing my body get better and better every time I compete - that bit leaner, an improved shoulder cap, it’s the little things that matter. I also like getting stronger - since I first discovered weight training, for me there has always been something empowering about being a strong, self sufficient female.
I never feel weak or helpless, in fact I know I could wipe the floor with most guys and that’s kinda cool!
What is your training routine like?
At the moment:
Monday - Legs
- Squat (5×5)
- Leg Press (3×10)
- Lunge (3×20)
Tuesday - Cardio
Wednesday - Back & Biceps
- Deadlift (5×3)
- Bent Over Row (3×8)
- Chin Ups (5×7)
- Bicep Curls (1×100)
Thursday - Cardio
Friday - Chest, Shoulders & Triceps
- Flat Bench (5×8)
- Incline Bench (3×8)
- Lateral Raise (3×20)
- Skull Crusher (3×15)
Weekend - Rest
If you had to choose only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?
- Deadlift - Without a strong back you cannot do anything. Your back is the foundation for building muscle everywhere else on your body and there’s no better exercise to develop it than a deadliift.
- Lateral Raise - You don’t see a single pro on the stage that doesn’t have an awesome, rounded cap on the shoulder and nothing hits the medial deltoid better than a lateral raise. However, I think you have to be really careful on the angle you use for this motion, as it’s easy to miss the part of the shoulder that it’s designed to develop.
- Pullup - this has always been a tough one for me, but it creates that narrow waist and wide shoulder taper so well it’s worth persevering with.
What is your favourite form of cardio?
In terms of sheer ‘bang for your buck’ its got to be the stepper, as I burn more calories doing this than anything else. I am quite happy on the stepper for hours, watching episode after episode of House, or 24 - those programs kept me going all the way through my last prep!
What is your diet like?
My boyfriend is a good cook, so we both make an effort not to fall into the chicken and broccoli trap! Even whilst we are prepping, we keep food as interesting as possible, and I think that makes the process so much easier - because we are still eating really tasty, flavoursome food. At the moment, I eat around 2000 calories, and whilst I’m trying to get stronger I’ll keep my carbs quite high - protein oats and bircher muesli are my favourite meals!
As I get closer to competition, I’ve found that a diet lower in carbs works well for me, so I’ll eat lots of chicken and turkey, make a lot of vegetable soups and keep the starchy carbs down.
What supplements do you use?
I use a BCAA drink (usually the flavoured ones), and a probiotic to ensure I digest all the nutrients I eat. I also take a Liv52 support, as it’s really important to ensure your liver is functioning correctly (this especially key for anyone who drinks alcohol or who has lost a lot of weight quickly). During prep I also take a magnesium and potassium supplement.
What are the highlights of your fitness career?
Earlier this year I opened my own personal training studio in central London - having worked as a personal trainer for a number of years in gyms in the city, it was a great achievement to finally have my own business.
I believe as a personal trainer, you have to be able to ‘practice what you preach’ and the fact that I look after my own health and fitness optimally reflects on the results my clients achieve.
Facebook: Becs Cronshaw Figure Competitor
Twitter: @BecsCronshaw
Instagram: becscronshaw
- Deadlift - Without a strong back you cannot do anything. Your back is the foundation for building muscle everywhere else on your body and there’s no better exercise to develop it than a deadliift.
- Lateral Raise - You don’t see a single pro on the stage that doesn’t have an awesome, rounded cap on the shoulder and nothing hits the medial deltoid better than a lateral raise. However, I think you have to be really careful on the angle you use for this motion, as it’s easy to miss the part of the shoulder that it’s designed to develop.
- Pullup - this has always been a tough one for me, but it creates that narrow waist and wide shoulder taper so well it’s worth persevering with.
What is your favourite form of cardio?
In terms of sheer ‘bang for your buck’ its got to be the stepper, as I burn more calories doing this than anything else. I am quite happy on the stepper for hours, watching episode after episode of House, or 24 - those programs kept me going all the way through my last prep!
What is your diet like?
My boyfriend is a good cook, so we both make an effort not to fall into the chicken and broccoli trap! Even whilst we are prepping, we keep food as interesting as possible, and I think that makes the process so much easier - because we are still eating really tasty, flavoursome food. At the moment, I eat around 2000 calories, and whilst I’m trying to get stronger I’ll keep my carbs quite high - protein oats and bircher muesli are my favourite meals!
As I get closer to competition, I’ve found that a diet lower in carbs works well for me, so I’ll eat lots of chicken and turkey, make a lot of vegetable soups and keep the starchy carbs down.
What supplements do you use?
I use a BCAA drink (usually the flavoured ones), and a probiotic to ensure I digest all the nutrients I eat. I also take a Liv52 support, as it’s really important to ensure your liver is functioning correctly (this especially key for anyone who drinks alcohol or who has lost a lot of weight quickly). During prep I also take a magnesium and potassium supplement.
What are the highlights of your fitness career?
Earlier this year I opened my own personal training studio in central London - having worked as a personal trainer for a number of years in gyms in the city, it was a great achievement to finally have my own business.
I believe as a personal trainer, you have to be able to ‘practice what you preach’ and the fact that I look after my own health and fitness optimally reflects on the results my clients achieve.
Facebook: Becs Cronshaw Figure Competitor
Twitter: @BecsCronshaw
Instagram: becscronshaw
Earlier this year I opened my own personal training studio in central London - having worked as a personal trainer for a number of years in gyms in the city, it was a great achievement to finally have my own business.
I believe as a personal trainer, you have to be able to ‘practice what you preach’ and the fact that I look after my own health and fitness optimally reflects on the results my clients achieve.
Facebook: Becs Cronshaw Figure Competitor
Twitter: @BecsCronshaw
Instagram: becscronshaw
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