“For me, CrossFit is like a challenge that is endless. »
Pleasure became passion, then passion became competition. Today, CrossFit is a way of life for Alex Vigneault, who trains eight hours a day in preparation for his sixth CrossFit Games.
Vigneault takes the call from La Presse on a Friday evening in July. The native of Havre-Saint-Pierre is not enjoying the good weather on a terrace; instead, he just completed the last of his three workouts for the day in Cookeville, Tennessee. The Quebecer is spending the month there in preparation for the CrossFit Games, which will begin on August 3 in Madison, Wisconsin.
There, he trains in the gym owned by Rich Froning, ex-Games champion and source of inspiration for Vigneault for years.
“It was my dream to come here,” he says. Before leaving, I said to myself: this is my dream, but I am leaving my family for three weeks. I had a little twinge. »
Vigneault is driven by an insatiable and all-consuming passion for CrossFit. Over the years, he could have given up. But the passion was stronger than anything.
It all started ten years ago, in 2013. Vigneault, 21, had just stopped playing hockey. He discovered CrossFit by pure chance, while studying civil engineering at Laval University. An introductory lesson and presto! he was hooked. Back with his parents in Havre-Saint-Pierre the following summer, he bought equipment for several thousand dollars to create a gym in the garage.
“I didn’t want to compete then, I just wanted to have fun,” he says.
In 2014, a friend introduced him to the CrossFit Games and the qualifying process to get there. Playing well, Vigneault finished first in Canada. At the next stage, at the regionals, he took third place, very close to a selection for the Games.
“That’s when I thought, I think I’m going to be more serious, I’m going to put more effort into this. »
More than a passion, CrossFit became a job for Vigneault, who started training every day. It was also in 2014 that he returned to CEGEP to study police techniques. Since he had already done all his basic courses, he benefited from a lighter schedule allowing him to train more.
“I knew that by doing a police technique, I was able to have small sponsors. I was able to live that way, do my CrossFit career on the side and do my studies at the same time. »
In 2015, mission accomplished: he took part in his first Games. His result: 11th in the world. In 2016, he finished 9th.
Then, the obstacles: in 2017, a right pectoral injury prevented him from competing. In 2018, sinusitis deprived him of a qualifying stage. In 2019, “it wasn’t a good year” and he finished 25th at the Games.
“There are several moments when I could have said: I pull the plogue, he drops on the end of the line. But, I don’t know, sometimes I try to figure out why it happened that way instead of thinking, am I good enough? It’s paid off so far, because I’m 31 and still competing with newcomers. »
Not only did he not give up, but he also did everything to continue. In 2019, Vigneault applied to work at the Sûreté du Québec; knowing that he would be placed on the North Shore, he temporarily moved to his parents with his girlfriend.
Assigned to the post of Sept-Îles, Vigneault had to move again with his spouse. Again, their new town did not have a CrossFit gym. “I built myself a second garage,” he says.
Annoyed by neighbors who complained about the noises his dumbbells made when they fell on the ground, Vigneault suggested that his wife move out again a few months later.
“She didn’t quite agree, but I said I had no choice if I wanted to continue doing CrossFit because I couldn’t do weightlifting anymore. »
In the new house, the garage was not big enough. Again, he spent to build an annex. “There I am settled for all time!” “, he exclaims, almost amused by all these adventures.
To this day, Alex Vigneault continues to practice his sport diligently and seriously, in addition to being the father of two children aged 3 years and 8 months.
“I’m really, really not alone in this!” he insists. My blonde is amazing. If she wasn’t there, if she didn’t support me in what I do, it wouldn’t work. »
In 2021, Vigneault achieved his best result, an 8th place, and in 2022, his worst; a 25th place finish. At 31, he has again qualified among the 40 participants invited to the World Games in the main category. Between running, swimming, weightlifting and even mountain biking, he trains eight hours a day.
“It’s not training muscle, it’s training movement. There is no limit anymore. […] It is a way of life that I will keep all my life. »
Even though he is aging, Vigneault continues to set goals. Among other things, he would like to find a sponsor so that he can focus on CrossFit full-time in the next year. And in the best of all worlds, he would participate in the Games with his brother Jérémy in the coming years.
“That’s part of the reason I stretch the sauce,” he admits. I’m not putting pressure on him, but two years from now would be great! »
The CrossFit Games are the ultimate test of fitness. Over several days, participants are put to the test in all kinds of disciplines that they do not know in advance. They must therefore be ready for anything. “The definition of CrossFit is not to be the specialist in any sport discipline, explains Alex Vigneault. It is to be the most versatile. “Strength, speed, endurance… the grand champion and the grand champion are those who adapt and perform best in all events. They each receive a scholarship of $315,000.