Carlos' Corner: The weighting game
Peña says his post-game workout keeps him lean
By Carlos Peña / Special to MLB.com

Carlos Peña, a 23-year-old rookie heralded as one of the top
prospects in the game, was acquired by Oakland during the offseason
in a six-player trade with Texas. He's the A's starting first
baseman, and he's providing for MLB.com an exclusive daily diary for
the 2002 season.

Before Saturday's game against the White Sox, Peña talked about his
post-game workout routine.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Yesterday I shared with everyone my gameday
routine, but I didn't go into much detail about my post-game workout
in the weight room. So today I'll explain what I do and why.

My main goal in the weight room is to maintain my body, to keep in
strong for the whole season. I'm not necessarily going in there to
get bigger. That will gradually happen anyway as long as I stay
consistent. And actually, consistency is the key. That's why I try to
never miss a workout.

When I'm in the weight room, there's very little messing around. I
like to have fun as much as anyone for most of the day, but in that
time, I never want my intensity to go down. That's why I'm never in
there for more than 30 minutes -- any longer and the intensity level
will drop. I need the level high, so there's not too much talking and
not too much time between sets.

As far as what I do, it varies because I make sure to work each body
part at least once a week, sometimes two. So one day I might focus on
my biceps, another my shoulders, another my legs. I mix it up to make
sure everything is addressed a couple of time a week.

I don't really ever "max out," and by that I mean lift as much as I
possibly can. That's more for people who want to get much bigger. I
do lighter weights with more repetitions, and that helps me stay
lean, because that keep your metabolism working.

Our strength coach, Clarence Cockrell, is always in there watching
us, and he's the man who designs the workouts and keeps us motivated.
He's helped me a lot, and I can see the changes in my body from week
to week. My definition is better, and I have more energy.

But remember, young players: Lifting weights is good for you, but you
can't stop there. Working out is just part of keeping your body in
good shape. You have to pay attention to what you eat as well,
because everything is connected.

Carlos Peña's diary appears as told to Mychael Urban, who covers the
Oakland A's for MLB.com.