Image of Thanh Le

Name: Thanh Le

Residence: Herndon, VA

Age: 28

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 182

More About Our Winner

What made you enter the PROLAB Web Celeb contest?

I saw the ad for it in a magazine and thought to myself that I had put in a lot of hard work and made a huge amount of progress towards my physical goals. I wanted to see if I stacked up to others.

Do you have aspirations to break into modeling as a career?

I’ve thought about it but thought there was too much competition to get in, especially in getting into the fitness magazines. Lots of people are trying to make it big.

What do you do for a living?

I am a manager of an IT department that performs software upgrades for our customers.

When did you start weight training and what inspired you to hit the weights?

Through high school I was teased for being a skinny guy so I started going to the gym occasionally to try to gain weight. At first I went with a few of my friends who were more experienced but instead of helping me they poked fun at my inexperience. I stopped going with them and started to read magazines for information and go to the gym myself. I talked to a few of the trainers for tips as well as other people in the gym.

What do your friends think now when they see you?

I actually just had my 10 year High School reunion and people almost didn’t recognize me. I got a lot of compliments on my transformation and their comments have encouraged me to continue with my training.

What is your average weekly weight training routine?

I usually do 4 to 5 days of weights depending on my work schedule. I do not have a set routine as I’m always trying to mix it up at least every two weeks. I try to vary my workouts each week so I don’t hit a plateau, I always want to progress. I do one major muscle group each workout and hit each group at least once a week so by the end of the week I have cycled through my entire body. I try not to do the same workout twice. I’ll do the exercises in a different order, do another variation, drop-sets, anything to change it up from the prior week. The one area I tend to do an extra day of is biceps and triceps because I am focusing on improving my arms right now.

How has using PROLAB helped you reach your goals?

I have always struggled with putting on weight. I was 5’10’’ tall and 115lbs in High School and was teased often for being skinny. I started taking PROLAB early on in my weight training to help me gain weight. I didn’t just want to gain weight though. I didn’t want to be fat, I wanted to gain muscle. N-Large²™ was a great help to me going from the 5’10” and 115lb High School kid I was to where I am now. Now I use the BCAA Plus to help maintain the muscle mass I have gained and the Beta Alanine Extreme® to help me recover from intense workouts.

Have you set any new training goals for yourself?

I always want to better myself. I have never had a goal of being able to bench press or leg press a certain weight. I hurt myself a few years ago trying to lift too much weight and tore my labrum. It took surgery to fix it and 6 months of recovery without being able to use my arm. I lost all the size and definition that I had been working so hard for and it was very frustrating to me. Now I focus on staying healthy and using proper form instead of trying to lift more weight than I am capable of.

What would you consider to be one of your greatest accomplishments in the gym?

I am proud of the fact that I have been able to keep my long term goal and remain dedicated to my continued progress and the 10 years I have put into bettering my physique.

Do you have a favorite exercise that you like to do?

I really love working my back. There are so many exercises to do and you can hit it from so many angles. If I have to pick just one though- I love the feel of the massive pump I get when I do low cable rows.

What about a least favorite exercise?

I don’t have a least favorite exercise, but if I had to pick something I would say cardio.

If you could choose any workout partner for the day, who would it be?

I would love to workout with Stan McQuay. It is not very common for Asians to be in the bodybuilding and fitness industry and he has always been an inspiration to me.

What are you currently playing on your iPod at the gym?

I can not workout without my iPod! I hate when I accidentally leave it at home or work or even forget to charge it. I have a playlist that is all Linkin Park that I like to use but when I really want to get in the zone I listen to “Click Click Boom” by Saliva and “Bodies” by Drowning Pool.

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be and why?

I love Superman and think it would be really cool to either be able to fly like him or have his super speed. I wouldn’t have to use a car to get anywhere if I had either of them.

If you could give workout advice to today’s youth what would it be?

There is so much advice to give. I think the main thing would be DON’T BE INTIMIDATED TO GO TO THE GYM. Don’t be intimidated by the size of the others there or your inexperience. I remember when I was just starting out and being afraid that people were watching me working out and were making fun of me. I started asking questions and found out that they are really there to help you and not judge you. The trainers will answer your questions and even a lot of the people who are there working out themselves- ask for advice because they want to share it with you. I think it is important to know that every individual has their own strength. While one person may feel that 5lbs is as light as a feather, another may feel like it is as heavy as a house. Find a weight you are comfortable with and use it.