She’s America’s sweetheart in the CrossFit community and put America on the podium at the CrossFit Games last year. That’s Kari Pearce, also known as the four-time Fittest Woman in America.
She has received invitations to the CrossFit Games since 2015 and has received the Fittest American Woman title every year since 2016. Before that though, Kari Pearce underwent incredible life transformations.
The Kari Pearce Before Crossfit
Kari Pearce hails from the Wolverine state, where she is a sister and a daughter before she is America’s Fittest woman. Her transformation into CrossFit was a slow one.
For Kari, fitness is a passion. When she’s not training she is promoting her abs program and brand, and teaching her supporters on Instagram how to have abs like her. Kari’s mindset to win in life personally is one she teaches to her supporters, and it’s obvious that this is not a mindset that just happened overnight.
It was her parents that taught her the love of sport, according to her own words.
“Fitness is my passion. I am lucky both of my parents love working out and I am the same way. Not only do I enjoy pushing myself to the limit, but I also love encouraging others to be the best version of themselves.”
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It’s not just a line. She’s America’s Fittest Woman. Kari Pearce is out there showing everybody to be the best version of themselves every day.
She’s a Division 1 athlete, and started her public life in sport as a physique competitor, as other CrossFitters like Sara Sigmundsdottir do.
It all began at the age of 3 when her gymnastics passion began. She did that until she was 21, and held a position on the Varsity Gymnastics team at the University of Michigan. There she helped to take her team to win the Big Ten Championships for every year she was in college. She also became a three-time Academic All Big Ten.
From there, Kari Pearce’s transformating included becaming a physique competitor. In 2017 she posted a throwback photo to her physique days, saying she appreciated how that was part of her training prior to CrossFit. She said it made her realize the importance of nutrition.
Kari Pearce Transformation
This year, she’s likely got her eyes set on four-time Fittest Woman on Earth® Tia-Clair Toomey, like every other woman on the roster. If anyone can do it, Kari Pearce is certainly one of the top athletes in the world that can give Toomey a run for her money.
Related: Kari Pearce Trounces Fittest on Earth® in Atalanta 2020 Reebok CrossFit Games Final Event
Today, she is at the top of the world. Literally.
Kari Pearce’s CrossFit Records
In addition to being America’s Fittest Woman, and the third Fittest Woman on Earth, Kari Pearce has hit the top 10 spots in CrossFit in the last five years. She’s competed around the world, in Dubai, France, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, California, and Wisconsin.
As a Big Ten gymnast and physique competitor, the transition into CrossFit was seamless for Kari Pearce, as seamless as the grueling sport could make it.
But that is Kari Pearce. We’re talking about a transformation that included jumping 106 placements worldwide in two years. She went from a CrossFit Open ranking of 108 in 2015 to second-best in the world in 2017. Because she loves fitness.
She might like to win too. We’ll see what transformation Kari brings to the table this year.
These are her CrossFit accomplishments to date:
- 2015 – CrossFit Games (21st), Regionals (3rd, East Regional), Open (108th worldwide, 77th United States)
- 2016 –CrossFit Games (5th), Regionals (4th, East Regional), Open (17th worldwide, 7th United States
- 2017 – CrossFit Games (10th), Regionals (3rd, East Regional), Open (2nd worldwide, 3rd United States)
- 2018 – CrossFit Games (6th), Regionals (2nd, East Regional), Open (17th worldwide, 7th United States)
- 2019 – CrossFit Games (5th), Open (8th worldwide, 2nd United States)
- 2020 – CrossFit Games (3rd), Open (6th worldwide, 1st United States)
Kari Pearce Workouts
Kari Pearce routinely posts workouts. Here is one for every day of the week but Saturday, a recovery day.
Super Sunday Glutes
“Super Sunday Complex – PowerGlutes Edition! 🍑
Exercise is always more fun with a friend! Let’s start this Sunday off with…
Alternating Lunge Claps With A Friend 👏
💥 Get in 3 sets of 10 reps on each side
💥 This will make you feel the burn in your glutes, quads, hamstrings, abs, and obliques.
💥 If you can’t go as low as us, just get as low as possible.”
Monday Power Abs
“Monday PowerAbs!🎉
Let’s wake our bodies up with some…
Pillow Scissor Kicks 🔥
💥 Want to make sure you are getting full range of motion? Grab a pillow to keep you accountable!
💥 Get in 3 sets of 15 reps on each side”
Tuesday Power Abs
“Tuesday PowerAbs! 🎉
Let’s have some fun today with a workout we can all do together…
Side Tuck Up + Side V-Up Ladder!
💥 Get in 1 rep of each, then 2, then 3,4, etc until you get to 10. Rest as needed then repeat on the other side.
💥 This will fire up your abs, hip flexors, and obliques. 🔥
💥 If you can’t keep your legs totally straight on the side V-Ups, just keep them as straight as possible.”
Wednesday Power Abs
“Wednesday PowerAbs! 🎉
Let’s explode into this Wednesday with
Explosive Triangle Push-Up + Explosive Push-Ups!
💥 Get in 4 sets of 6 reps of each and really try to explode through each rep.
💥 This is one you will feel in your abs, shoulders, chest, and triceps!
💥 If you can’t hop your hands, it’s ok to walk them in and out.”
Thursday Power Abs
“Thursday PowerAbs! 🥳
Take your planks (and abs!) to the next level with…
Plank To Extended Plank!
💥 Get in 3 sets of 10 reps
💥 This one will have you shaking by the end of your sets as you put the work into your abs, shoulders, triceps, quads, and transversus abdominus (your 6-pack muscles).
💥 If you can’t do your planks from your feet, try from your knees.”
Friday Power Abs
“Friday PowerGlutes Edition! 🍑
Get ready to have your PowerGlutes on fire🔥 with…
Plié Pulses Plus Hold
💥 Get in 10 pulses then a 10 second hold. Go for a total of 10 rounds and rest as needed.
💥 This will set your glutes, quads, and hamstrings fire 🔥 plus work your abs and lower back. Trust me, you will feel this one tomorrow!
💥 If you can’t get as low as me, just go as low as you feel comfortable.”
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