WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE: Janet Gerber
Accomplishement:Florida State Championships 1st Short Class and Overall
Height 5’3
Weight 125
Age 36
Residence Orlando, Florida
Contest history/highlights 2012: North Americans 3rd Masters Over 35, 4th Open Class A; 2011: Jr. Nationals 9th Class A; Jr. USA 12th Class A; Nationals DNP Class A; 2010: Tampa Bay Classic Overall (Bodybuilding); Tim Gardner’s NPC Extravaganza 2nd Lightweight (BB); Southern States 2nd Middleweight (BB;) Florida State Championships 1st Lightweight and Overall (BB); 2009: Tim Gardner’s Extravaganza 2nd Lightweight (BB); Florida State Championships 4th Lightweight (BB); 2008: Mid Florida Classic 2nd Lightweight (BB)
STARTING OUT “I started training when I was about 19 – my husband was in the Army and we were stationed overseas in Italy. It was kind of a small, Rocky-type gym. All the guys on the military base trained there, and I was pretty much the only lady in there. They didn’t cut me any slack either. I was a petite person so once I started weight training I took to putting on muscle pretty quick.”
COMPETING “I was a gym rat, but I didn’t know anything about competing until a trainer at my gym mentioned it. I got curious and went to a local bodybuilding show. Back then figure was fairly new so I didn’t know the difference. But once I saw the show I decided to give bodybuilding a try. I did my first show a year and a half later.”
FAMILY AFFAIR “I have two daughters, 12 and 19. They think it’s amazing, they are my biggest fans. My oldest used to be a competitive cyclist and is a three-time national champion. Now she’s in the gym with me every night. My youngest grew up as a gymnast and decided not to compete anymore, so she ended up going to the gym with me too. The girl can deadlift 135. She’s a little powerhouse!”
NO REGRETS “What motivates me the most is to not give up. Don’t give up on your passion or your training and always strive to be your best. I’m hyper thyroid, so with that it’s tougher for me to figure out a diet because I always have to revise it. So I’ve learned it’s never worth just giving in to the hard days. Just drive through whatever happens so in the end you have no regrets.”
FOCUS ON FORM “My philosophy has changed a little from when I competed as a bodybuilder – I’m not going in there and wanting to lift the whole gym anymore. I’ve learned how to get my body to respond better with different techniques. Form is the most important thing. If I can keep good form, it doesn’t matter what the weight is.”
