Tracy Davies has taken the X Training by storm and re written the rules for the female Gym Athlete.

Starting her journey only two years ago at FitBrit we have seen the rise of possibly to date the best female Gym Athlete since records began with WGC back in 2006. Winning and breaking The Ultimate Gym Athlete Athlete record, FitBrit and five other national titles this year, certainly the best female gym athlete in the UK.

Tracy Davies has simply rewritten the rules on what is possible in Gym X Training, so we asked her about training, the sport and what she does to unwind.

What has been your best memory of 2014?

My best memory has to be my first win at MaxiFit in May this year. I had worked so hard for a long time and seeing/feeling the perserverence pay off and getting 1st place was amazing! It was also a great race too!

How do you keep yourself motivated to train so hard?

I keep myself motivated in training with the absolute desire that i want to be better than my last event. knowing that I am preparing for my next event and training for or to beat a certain time gives me all the motivation I need!

How do you relax in your spare time?

In my spare time I like to totally relax as much as possible, catching up with friends & my new luxury find is Electric cinema in Notting Hill where its like watching a new release in the comfort of home! I like to watch educational documentaries and furthering my knowledge in a variety of areas. On the other hand, I'm also a big fan of E4 - love easy watch sitcoms!

What would you be doing if you hadn't found X Training?

If I hadn't found X-training, I'm pretty sure i would have been heavily lured into CrossFit or some other event where there are many skills and high fitness level required - as this would give me a variety to work towards! Being a "1 trick pony" is just not fashionable these days!

What's the reaction form your gym and clients to your recent success?

My gym (Fitness First Clapham Junction) always say congratulations and that is nice of them to acknowledge. They see how hard I train and I hope that is an inspiration to people and motivation for each individual to push themselves a little harder than the session before.

My clients are great and full of admiration. My aim is to inspire people to get to their highest potential within their own fitness capacity. We are all so different that everyone has their own aims and goals, by pushing to my best I hope this influences others to do the same in their own way.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

10 years from now I want to he able to look back and be the best X-training competitor there ever was. I also want to have encouraged as many people as I can to try this sport and push to achieve their maximum.

We have one chance and one body, why not be the master of your own physical destiny and take charge of your fitness levels which have the most incredible benefits and impact on your health. I would like to have established my own brand and be a part of the change in people that i want to see happen.

Would you ever like to run your own gym?

I've certainly thought of running my own gym! What PT hasn't? However I believe there are better ways of making an impact without drawing in the crowd and just "getting the numbers in" as i said before, my interest lies in my clients/potential clients. in fact everyone being in a place where they are able to reach and work towards their best in every aspect inc fitness, mind-set and nutrition. These 3 components work together very closely. When 1 is missing then the chance of achieving the whole package is greatly reduced.

Where do you think your training differs possibly from other training?

Through my weekly training sessions I cover a range of sessions which include endurance, strength endurance, lactic threshold training and active recovery. Working with Sean Blyth has helped me understand the importance of working with split times as in training I can now compare my previous training sessions to current performance and we monitor my performance this way.

Who do you think will make the biggest gains in the current Intermediate female category?

I see a lot of potential in the intermediate women's category. Steph Whitehead is being coached by her partner Doug Harrison and is making an impact right now. Still some work to do there, but great seeing where she was to where she is now and how much she has improved. That's what Gym X Training is all about, the journey to reach your maximum output, without causing damage to yourself on the way there.

However this potential will only be maximised if these girls believe that
A) they have the ability to step up to the open category
B) put the right sort of training in for X-training competitions and that is by training specifically for them.
Belief and experience when pulled together are a priceless powerful combination.

Gym X Training has it's limitations though - in some cases no matter how hard you train the physical limitations of your body will stop. In some cases this will mean you remain at Intermediate to prevent over training or causing damage to the body. You have to find your limitations in this sport - but limitations is the maximum your body will perform at with correct training, nutrition, rest and recovery. Recovery being being the primary role your body needs to improve.

Have Fitness First acknowledged you in any way as the winner of FitBrit, possibly with free membership or a package that recognises you at the best female gym athlete in the UK ?

No Fitness First haven't offered me anything which I think is a shame as I have won FitBrit and put my club Clapham Junction on the map and also hold the No 1 spot in UK X-Training series. I'm hoping this will change very soon!

Nutrition is so important , describe how you achieve optimum results with your 'training diet'

My nutrition plan for race day mirrors exactly that of any other day. I take in maximum quality of nutrition for maximum performance. Enough slow release (low GI) carbohydrate to sustain my performance. The right amount of protein per kg of my bodyweight to enhance recovery and replenish muscles and the required daily amount of "good" fats to ensure maximum energy release and neural function.

I have also recently purchased a juicer and have a pint of raw fresh vegetables & fruit to enhance my performance. I cut down caffeine to 1 strong coffee in the morning and the rise in my energy level is unbelievable. I couldn't advocate it more!!
Yes i love a glass of wine but that comes when my job is done!

How do you deal with the nerves before a race ?

I completely accept nerves as part of the "race package" i know that I will feel those butterflies in my stomach or that adrenaline rush when thinking about the approaching race buy I channel that rush or nervous energy into visualising my performing at my absolute best in that moment. Everything I say to myself or do an hour or 2 before my race is nothing but positive affirmations and visualisation on the task at hand. If I get the chance and the time is right, then I put my earphones in and listen to my favourite house tunes which lift my energy to greater heights!!!

What does 2015 hold ?

Although this year has been very successful for me I'd like to see more women come into the Advanced category and become accustomed to training for events throughout the year. I am aware that the field in the Advanced is Women category is quite small and it needs to expand so that healthy competition can exist. The sport of gyms has enormous resources to draw from and it needs a common drive to expand and filter into the mainstream so that more people can take part. You can only be the best against people who enter and I'm sure the field of the female gym athlete has a lot more potential to be exposed - we need to find them and events like FitBrit certainly are good for this reason, after all, without it , I would never have discovered this fantastic sport.

2014 has been a great year but look out 2015, I'm hungry for more and to keep pushing myself at each event.

2015 will bring a fitter stronger faster version of what I am now. The only way is up in any situation.

Look out for Tracy Davies at the Gym Ironman/Ironwoman on March 7th 2015.