Gardner Courtney

She’s all about making an impact, at work, in the gym, on social media & in the lives of others

LA-based fitness model and athlete, Courtney Gardner (28) has found the magic formula needed to juggle her career as a corporate high flyer in technology sales, while also growing her status as an iconic figure in the fitness industry. One of the secrets to her success is her degree in photojournalism, which has helped her craft a masterful social media strategy. If you too want to handle your online persona with Courtney’s panache, read on for exclusive insights...

What led you to your fitness-focused lifestyle?

I’ve always been an athlete, but it wasn’t until I was injured that my health and fitness journey really began. I ran the 2013 Boston Marathon and in the process, I tore my meniscus. I couldn’t do any of the cardio that I usually did and needed a physical and emotional outlet. That’s when I turned to lifting. I taught myself how to lift using a programme and videos online. I quickly realised how amazing it felt to be strong. Then I realised that if I properly fuelled my body, I’d get stronger quicker. Plus, it didn’t hurt that I also like the way my body looked.

What attracted you to the competitive stage?

 I’m a goal oriented, competitive person. Once I got comfortable in the gym, I wanted to see how I could push myself further and a competition made sense! I had no expectations of the outcome - I just wanted to do it for me and enjoy the process. You learn a lot about yourself during competition prep.

HER FITNESS

What exercises should all women be doing, and why? Compound, full-body lifts like squats and deadlifts. These exercises are more advanced and require proper form. However, I believe they’re the foundation of building total body strength.

Courtney’s weekly workout split:

Day 1: Shoulders

Day 2: Legs (hamstring focused)