<p>I'm an avid weightlifter, and care very much about the facilities at schools I'm applying to. In fact, part of the reason I decided not to apply to Georgetown was that it was impossible to do free-weight squats, deadlifts or bench presses (I was there for three weeks over the summer). But anyhoo, does anyone know how the Wash U ones are?</p>
<p>I can't say I've ever actually been <em>in</em> the washu weightroom... slightly intimidated... but we at least have one (georgetown doesn't? kinda disappointing). It's in the athletic complex, on campus... quite a few guys go there to work out. There's a small fitness center on the south 40, with the dorms, but I don't remember it having any free weights.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.studlife.com%5B/url%5D">www.studlife.com</a></p>
<p>World Record holder Jason Pagan wows, gives advice to weightlifters in Activity Center
Profile: Jason Pagan
Weight: 190
Bench: 457.5 lbs
Squat: 575 lbs
Clean and Jerk: 310 lbs
4th year grad student</p>
<p>Anyone who lifts consistently in the weight room at Washington University's Athletic Complex knows that there is one presence in the room that everyone notices. He looks like a god among men, and his muscles and brute strength may make you feel extremely small and worthless. Simply put, he is "jacked."</p>
<p>For those people fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of this superman, but who were too afraid to ask him about himself, his name is Jason Pagan. There is a lot more to this man besides muscles and brawn. Originally from Orlando, Fla., Pagan graduated from Furman University and then decided to come to Washington University to pursue his Ph.D in clinical psychology. He is currently in his fourth year of graduate studies and is one of the TAs for Abnormal Psychology this semester. </p>
<p>Not only has Pagan excelled in the classroom, but he has clearly found success in the weight room, as well as in lifting competitions. </p>
<p>"In 2001 I set the record for the World Natural Power Lifting Federation (WNPLF), a world weight lifting organization that drug tests. It was in the 181-weight class and I benched 457 1/2 pounds natural and raw. This means that I didn't have any equipment and I was drug tested. I set a record for the junior division as well as the world division," Pagan explained. </p>
<p>His record warranted him a paragraph clip in the 2001 December issue of Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd." Besides holding a world record Pagan's other lifts are not too shabby either. When he was 18 years old he clean and jerked 315 lbs. His lifetime max squat is 590 lbs. He also ran a 4.6 second 40-yard dash as a free safety in high school. </p>
<p>After seeing Pagan's physique, one can only assume that he had always been naturally strong and was maybe an offspring of two incredibly strong people. Varsity baseball player Arden Farhi suggested that Pagan was "the love child of Chyna and Chuck Norris." This assumption is wrong, however. Pagan started lifting weights in high school. </p>
<p>"I originally got into lifting through football in high school," he said. "I found that I was good at it and enjoyed it. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to hit a new weight and getting bigger and stronger. I have an identical twin brother and we really pushed each other. In Florida they actually have varsity weightlifting as a sport, so I competed for four years in high school. I really enjoyed the competition; it was just the weight and myself. When I went to college I got involved in the weight lifting team at Furman and just really loved it. I later became president of the power and fitness club at Furman." </p>
<p>Some Washington University students were so intrigued by his bulging muscles that they made an entire group to honor him on the facebook called "People in Awe of Super-Jacked Guy," as he is lovingly called by fellow weightlifters that are impressed by his physique. One person on the site accused Pagan of using steroids. Pagan had mixed reactions about the accusations as well as the group, which makes it seem like he has attained almost a super hero status among his weightlifting colleagues.</p>
<p>"I get the steroid accusation a lot. I have never in my life tried steroids or any hormone enhancing substance, and I have been drug tested every time I lifted at the world level. At first I was offended when people starting asking me that, but now I take it as a compliment. Anyone can get big if you put the time and effort into it. As far as the [Facebook] group, overall I thought it was a little strange at first and I still think it's a little strange, but I am very flattered by it. Sometimes I feel like it's a little intimidating that I have to live up to something that isn't necessarily true. I don't think I deserve the "super-jacked guy" label. I mean, I do the best that I can in the gym, but I guess I am very flattered," he said.</p>
<p>For those who are afraid to approach Pagan in the weight room some things he mentioned may help those who are trying to get bigger. </p>
<p>"One thing I notice is that too many people are lifting the same muscle groups too often," he explained. "You can't go in and bench press everyday, and they are trying to do weights that they are not ready for and many people end up hurting themselves. Also, eating, dieting and sleep are really important. When you are staying up late and eat crap you cannot expect to make good gains in your lifting. Protein is very important in your diet. At minimum you want at least one gram of protein per kilogram of your body weight in your diet." </p>
<p>Aside from lifting, Pagan has many other activities he enjoys doing during his free time, including running, occasionally going to a few bars and having a drink, and traveling to any place with a beach. Many people would look at Pagan and think that he is probably a chick magnet, but he was not so sure. </p>
<p>"I don't think women flock to me any more than anyone else," he said humbly. "At least I haven't experienced that. If they did, I don't know what I would do. I think there are certain groups of women that are intrigued and excited by muscular guys and then there are other women that are scared and turned off by that sort of thing." </p>
<p>After Pagan attains his Ph.D, he plans to go into practice as well as possibly continuing to research for a major university. As far as Pagan's advice to those that want to find success in weight lifting, he is more than willing to offer his expertise.</p>
<p>"The big thing is consistency - you can't expect to work out for a month and then take a week or two off. Set a reasonable goal, get into the gym three or four times a week and do that every week. And don't push it really hard and burn yourself out. You have to be patient with it. You can make significant gains over the course of a year. Have reasonable expectations; there is no reason that you should expect yourself to be huge in a year or cut in a year. Just look at it in the long term. When I am lifting I don't mean to show off. I usually don't even say anything to anyone. I have no intentions of making people look bad or feel bad. I have been doing this for a long time (12 years) and it has been an accumulation of knowledge," he said. </p>
<p>If you do happen to work out in the Athletic Complex in the future and find yourself confused about what lift to do feel free to ask him for help. </p>
<p>"If anyone has a question that is not too broad I am more than happy to help. Someone taught me how to do everything that I do and I am more than happy to do the same for someone else. I love lifting and love working out, and it really positively benefits my life and I would love other people to benefit too."</p>
<p>That's pretty incredible- thank you very much. It certainly is somewhat intimidating, but at least I know that Wash U's facilities are most definitely adequate.</p>
<p>I am also an avid weightlifter. The weightroom isn't great, but it is sufficient for most of your needs. It can be crowded at times, but you just have to find the right time to lift. I was also very surprised at the number of really big people here at Wash U. There are definitely a lot of guys who spend a lot of time in the gym.</p>