Getting the Most from Weight Training

An experienced executive formerly with The St. Paul Companies in Minnesota, Paul Liska stays physically active through outdoor activities and weight training. Weight trainers like Paul Liska often draw on classic weightlifting strategies to maximize their results.

Getting the most from a trip to the gym usually starts with the four foundational lifts. Most weightlifters focus on the squat, deadlift, bench press, and shoulder press, as they offer the best results for the time and effort. These can be supplemented with some pulling exercises, such as the chin-up and the row, to improve pulling strength and help it keep pace with pressing strength. Due to the effectiveness of these exercises, many strength trainers favor the barbell over other weights.

Adjustments to cardiovascular regimen also can help improve a lifter’s results. Short, intense bursts of aerobic exercise, such as sprinting to the top of a hill, walking back down, and repeating several times, build leg strength as well as cardiovascular health. These exercises also will ensure a weightlifter stays lean and healthy, rather than just bulking up.