Sofia Lövgren To Participate in Spartan Obstacle Race in Singapore
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In the past few years, more and more poker players have put more emphasis on their physical condition, many getting in the best shape of their lives. 888poker's Sofia Lövgren is another who has been hitting it hard in the gym, and last week she announced she'll be competing in the Spartan Obstacle Race in Singapore on April 27, 2019.
Spartan Obstacle Race
For those who don't know what a Spartan Obstacle Race is, an explanation is provided on Spartan.com:
"Spartan Race is the world's best obstacle course race, with over 240 races in 25 countries around the world this year. Spartan Race is not your everyday running race - expect to run, climb, push, pull, throw and crawl through walls, hills, trees, mud, barbed wire and other challenging but fun obstacles. All Spartan courses are designed to challenge you physically. We can’t spell out what exactly you will face, what fun would that be. However, we can assure there will be fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and occasionally Hell on Earth. Spartan Race is designed to pull you from your comfort zone and challenge you."
So that's what Lövgren has gotten herself into, and she's been making significant progress at the gym to prep:
She won't be competing on her own as a couple of friends/personal trainers from her gym will do the Spartan Obstacle Race too. She will, however, compete individually in the women's elite group, as she explained, "I'm lucky men are not allowed in this one...*wink*."
Why?
One month ago, the Swedish poker player started with a six-month bodybuilding challenge.
"I love competition and decided to register myself for the Spartan Obstacle Race in Singapore on April 27th along with a few of the personal trainers from my gym," she said. "I believe in goal setting and dividing it into short- and long-term goals. It gives me more motivation and increases my productivity, so I better stick to my plans."
"Competitions like Spartan makes me so excited!"
Lövgren had been spending a lot of time in the region, playing cash games and completing training courses in fitness, which contributed to her decision to compete in this event.
"I love running, climbing, and slinging some mud now and then! I have tons of energy and cannot just sit still in a chair and play poker," Lövgren said. "Competitions like Spartan make me so excited! I am also doing an intensive course training in Singapore and I am studying to earn my certificate as a fitness and nutrition specialist through ACE, American Council on Exercise."
Fitness & Diet
To get in a good shape, you have to put in a lot of hours in the gym but also maintain a strict diet. Lövgren told us she is having a lot of protein, eating five or six times a day. And if you think you can't snack, you are wrong. "I snack often on almonds, a protein shake, or smoothie. Rice cakes with peanut butter are my new favorite snack. They're super yummy!"
Dedication is key to being able to compete in races like the Spartan Obstacle Race, and she has proven to have that one down.
"I go to the gym for 1 hour a day, 6 times a week, and I do a lot of strength exercises. I'm also doing cardio 30 minutes per day leading up to the Spartan Race."
If you want to know what she's doing in the gym, have a look at the video from her Instagram below:
But that's not all: "I have a kickboxing/Muay Thai coach and love kicking ass (literally)! I'm also a big fan of Zumba and other dance classes. It puts me in a super happy mood and gives me a lot of energy in the morning. I do yoga for stretching and peace of mind. Sometimes I wake up super early for golf and rock climbing (daytime is way too hot to play golf in Singapore)."
Goals and Plans
She isn't getting in the best shape of her life all by herself; she has a coach who, according to her, motivates her every single time to give 110%. In the last few years, she completed a lot of self-study on fitness and soon, she'll have her own personal training certificate.
"I want to be in my best physical form so I can inspire and help others achieve their own goals too. I believe it's important to set a good example through motivation and discipline."
She even claims she can help those who want to get a six-pack in 12 weeks.
"I want to be in my best physical form so I can inspire and help others achieve their own goals too."
Competing in the Spartan Race is only the start as Lövgren plans to dedicate more time to it in the upcoming year. Thanks to poker being her job, she has the time and flexibility to do so.
"I am planning to start my own fitness brand in 2020. I will create coaching videos and want to help others reach their goals in fitness and health. Fitness is my biggest passion besides poker and I love training," she explains. "I play cash games on weekends and my main focus this year is to start a fitness site. I will hike Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia in September and participate in a bodybuilding competition this Autumn."
To follow Lövgren's preparations for the Spartan Obstacle Race in Singapore, or watch her progress in fitness, we advise you to visit her Instagram page.
