Lena Limoli: The Calisthenics Planche Girl from Switzerland 

Get ready to meet a remarkable athlete Lena Limoli, a strong calisthenics athlete from Switzerland, is known as “Leestrengthjourney”. Let's dive into her story and find out how she became one of the strongest female international athletes in the world of calisthenics and known for her planche skills.

The Name That Tells a Story

Lena's journey into calisthenics began when she was doing other sports. She used to do powerlifting and even had an account called “Leepowerlifting”. But when gyms closed due to the pandemic, she started working out at home with weights. Eventually, she got interested in handstands, elbow levers, and other calisthenics moves. People told her to change her account name since she wasn't into powerlifting anymore. She asked her ex-powerlifting coach for suggestions, and that's how she became “ Leestrengthjourney”. It represents her path of getting stronger through calisthenics.

From Various Sports to Calisthenics

Lena's sports journey is quite diverse. She tried football, parkour, weightlifting, Muay Thai, and even powerlifting. But in mid-2020, she discovered calisthenics and started a new chapter in her athletic life. The gyms were closed because of COVID, and that was the time when she found and started calisthenics.

Since she started doing Calisthenics it has changed her life.“It totally has changed my life. It's hard to explain but I feel like I am calisthenics, it's a big part of me” - Says Lena. 

Lena's Big Achievement

One of Lena's proudest moments was achieving the 2-2-2 straddle planche, a challenging straddle planche combination that requires incredible strength, endurance and balance.

Facing Challenges Head-On

Juggling school, studies, and training was tough for Lena, but she didn't give up. But even when she was very busy with her studies, she found a way to manage everything and succeed both in her studies and her athletic pursuits.

Dreaming Big & New Skills to Unlock

Lena's dreams in calisthenics are as impressive as her skills. She aims to do the one-arm planche and create new, exciting combinations of moves that have never been performed before.

Lena's Notable Achievements/Highlights

Lena's hard work has led to impressive wins and becoming Swiss Freestyle Champion in 2021:

- 1st Place SSWC International Women Cup 2021
- 1st Place Swiss Battle Cup 1 2023

Workout & Equipment 

Her dedication shines through in 5-6 training sessions per week, each spanning 1.5 hours. Central for Lena’s workouts are:

1. Parallettes Pro: These tools help her perform various exercises with stability such as planches, handstands and many other balance moves
2. Liquid Chalk: It keeps her grip strong during intense sessions
3. Wrist Wraps: They support her wrists during challenging movements and keeping the wrists safe

Discover equipment now

Tips for Beginners

Lena has some great advice for those starting with calisthenics:

- Focus on mastering just a couple of skills at a time
- Consider having a coach or learning about workouts and nutrition for better progress
- Enjoy the journey and celebrate small improvements

Lena's Daily Life

 Lena's day is quite structured:

- Early mornings at 5:45 am
- School and studies from 7 am to 5 pm
- Intense training sessions after that
- Rest and recharge for the next day

What about Nutritions & Supplements?

Lena counts her calories and protein intake. But the most important thing is to listen to your body, says Lena. “Eat most of the time clean food and just make sure to get enough protein. Counting calories maybe one day to have an idea of what you eat can be good but it's useless to do it everyday.” - Those were her words.

Beyond Calisthenics

When she's not training, Lena enjoys:

Riding her Motorbike, watching anime series and photography. All these, helps Lena to refill her  energy, and add more creativity in her training and daily life.

Music That Moves Her

Lena's training playlist includes bands like "Falling in Reverse" and "Bring Me The Horizon." In her free time, she loves French artists like Nekfeu, Orelsan, Damso, and Bekar.

Who Is Lena’s Inspiration? 

Estefany, another strong athlete, who has a high level of static skills, performs in international competitions. Estefany has an insane level of static skills, and a kind personality, who is Lena's role model for her strength and kindness.  

Facing Common Questions

Lena often gets asked, "How long will it take to learn the planche?" Her answer: It's different for everyone. Enjoy the journey and celebrate progress along the way.

A Message for the Calisthenics Community

Lena believes in unity and growth within the community. By sharing knowledge and supporting each other, everyone can succeed together.

Unlock Your Full Potential

Lena has written an ebook called "Workout Theory and Planche Program". It's a guide to effective workouts, performance optimization, and mastering the planche. It's available in French, English, and Italian. You can find more information about it here.

In Conclusion

Lena Limoli's journey is a testament to determination, hard work, and the love for calisthenics. Her story inspires us to push our limits and achieve greatness. With her commitment and dedication, Lena has truly become one of the strongest female athletes  in the world of calisthenics, motivating us all to strive for our best.