Behind the Zoom: Joel Miller

What workout routine do the Mazda drivers go through? In this week’s Behind the Zoom blog, Joel Miller explains what it takes to be in peak physical condition for each race.

Many race fans ask about driver fitness and our training routines, so I thought I would give everyone some insight to the programs my Mazda Motorsports teammates and I use. Over the course of the year, we compete in races that are 24-hours long, as well as 12, 10 and six hours. The Mazda Motorsports crew work very hard to prepare the SKYACTIV Prototypes to be perfect and, as the driver, it is my responsibility to be equally prepared physically. A more prepared and physically fit driver can concentrate more on driving the racecar.

A driver's fitness preparation does not start a day or a week in advance of an event. It is more of a full-time lifestyle. When possible, I am in the gym or doing some form of physical activity each day. Over the course of a week when we don't have a race, you can find me in a gym or running miles, swimming laps and cycling. It is important to be diverse because everything you do works a different part of your body. I also integrate mental focus into my exercise routine with various hand/eye coordination activities.