Putting in the hours to get serious results

Austin Miller '12 enters Southland Fitness in downtown Miami and throws out his empty protein shake, which he ritualistically downs before each workout.  "It gives me energy and allows me to perform my best," Miller said, adding that he also drinks another protein shake after his workout to help his muscles repair.  It's Saturday, and Miller heads to the squat rack, his favorite stop. Today is his "max day," and he places four-hundred pounds on the bar. 

  He grunts as he squats down and explodes up, completing one complete rep. He feels satisfied and accomplished, and waits several minutes before moving on to the next exercise.
  Miller likes to focus on each part of his body equally, and he pays careful attention to stay in proper proportion. He began lifting in the eighth grade while training for baseball, and quickly fell in love with the weight room. Just two years later he began lifting more seriously, adding heavier weights and more intense workouts to his routine.
 At the shoulder press, he completes eight reps of 70-pound dumbbells. He feels the burn pulsate through his upper body. "It's a sign of hard work," Miller says, as he drops the weight after his last repetition and heaves a sigh. 
  He's done for today, and he heads for the showers. He still has homework to complete, including an English paper to finish.
  "Tomorrow, I will focus on my back and arms," he says.

By Jonathan Chang '12