Freak Strength, Brute Strength, Functional Strength & Rugged Muscle – if you want ALL of these traits, then you better squat and dead lift.
It doesn’t have to be performed with a barbell either.
You can squat with a partner sitting on your shoulders. I spoke to the inmates at a BIG NJ prison and they told me they squat with partners sitting on their shoulders for 50 – 100 reps non stop!
You can deadlift BIG freaking stones or the back end of that old school volkswagon that hasn’t budged in years.
Might as well make use of that lil’ Bug now!
You can use a barbell or you can use Kettlebells.
You can use a sandbag or you can use a water (or Beer) filled keg.
It doesn’t matter….
What does matter is that squats and deadlifts, since the beginning of man kind, have been known to pack on muscle and strength unlike any other exercise out there.
But, do NOT overuse these movements.
You should rotate various training tools in and out of your cycle of squats and deadlifts to avoid overuse injuries.
I have been experimenting with various tools lately for squats and deadlifts and have been experiencing amazing results with this set up.
The tools I am using are the following:
- Kettlebells
- Sandbags
- Barbell
- Safety Squat Bar
- Thick Cambered Bar for Zercher Squats
- Kegs filled with water
- trap bar
And of course, bodyweight squats with jumps.
Check out the footage below of some deadlifts with a trap bar while barefoot and my buddy, Tyler English, a Natural Bodybuilder, squatting 315 for solid reps at The Underground Strength gym.
Anytime somebody sends me an e mail and asks me why they struggle to build muscle and become strong as hell, they are often missing some critical components.
1) They don’t push for increases in strength. They move around baby weights and confuse themselves with the fact that high reps are great for building muscle only when the weight is appreciable. If it’s 100 lbs and you’re gonna do a set of 20 rep squats with it, think again. Build up to squatting heavy weights for 3 – 6 reps FIRST.
2) They don’t squat or deadlift. They stick to crap like leg curls, leg extensions and machine exercises such as smith machine squats. NO good. Get away from machines and move your body as well as moving dead weights.
3) Their quality of food is poor at best. You need to consume lots of quality food. If you’re a vegetarian it’s a good idea to supplement with extra protein. If not, you need to consume fruits and veggies with at least 75% of your meals, preferably, every meal. NEVER skip breakfast, lunch or dinner and sneak in 2 or 3 small meals or snacks in between the Main 3 meals.
My son is only 15 months old and he just ate scrambled eggs, french toast and some watermelon and pineapple. I know high school kids who don’t eat that much in a day!
It’s time to enter reality and enter The Underground Strength World.
Get busy and don’t ask questions about why you aren’t strong or built like an ass kicking caveman until your squatting 315 x 5 and deadlifting 405 x 5.
Drop a comment or question below.
What are your thoughts on pakcing on functional muscle and rugged strength?
I wanna hear it!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: If you’re willing to EARN your strength and muscle and understand it takes work, learn from me and some of the strongest dudes in the world right HERE.
PPS: Wanna do what I do and start creating your own warehouse gym and get away from that job that you hate?
Join me at the next Underground Strength Coach Mentorship & Certification:
Nov. 14 with Zach ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/1DayCert.php
Dec. 5th with Elliott Hulse in Florida ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/Elliott.php
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 20th, 2009. 23 Comments. 
I train because I love it. Period.
It’s in my DNA.
I can lift barbells, kegs, do powerlifting, strongman training and kettlebell training.
Hell, I can sprint in the sand, swim in the ocean and do push ups – I LOVE it all.
It’s my therapy.
It’s a place and time where I lose myself and find myself. Kinda like a surfer who experiences the same thing every time he paddles out to catch waves.
Check out this OLD video (music stops mid way thanks to you tube 
….
But, it’s me, training in the field, just like I did back in the day BEFORE I even owned a gym.
Watch the video, enjoy a protein shake (or a Beer) if you like
When you’re done, let us know WHY you train. I’m killa psyched to see why you do what you do!
Don’t forget, let us know WHY you do what you do!
I can’t wait to see your comments and a glimpse inside your heart and soul!
Peace Bruddahs and Ladies!
–Z–
PS: I also wanted tell you, and it’s something I don’t do enough…not because I don’t feel it, but because I am sooooo freaking psyched to deliver killa shizza info to you.
I wanted to say, Thank YOU!! I am honored BIG time and Humbled Beyond words that you visit my blog, post comments and share your thoughts and stories with me. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!
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Filed under Articles, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 23rd, 2009. 101 Comments.
YOOOOO Bruddahs and Ladies!
Hope you’re awesome
Through the years, I’ve amassed over 291 videos on You Tube HERE
And don’t worry, I don’t plan on slowin’ down or stoppin’ anytime soon!
I’ve had a Blast doing this and hope you’ve enjoyed all the killa Free content.
If you’re new here you’ll find videos on all the following topics and then some:
- powerlifting
- bodybuilding
- strongman training
- underground strength training
- nutrition
- motivation / inspiration
- education
- personal experiences
- my own workouts
- workouts of my athletes from The Underground Strength Gym (Edison, NJ)
- audio interviews / video interviews
- business lessons for those who wanna open their own warehouse / garage gym
Basically, I pour my heart and soul into everything I do for you. It goes WAY beyond strength training and building muscle!
I know some people have been following me for years….YEARS
This Blows my mind and humbles the heck out of me, BIG time!
Sooooo, it got me thinkin…
I wonder what you’re favorite video of mine is?
You Can check them Here ==> http://www.youtube.com/user/ZEvenEsh
Here is How You Vote on Your Favorite Underground Strength Video:
1) You can drop a comment below and embed the link of your favorite video into the comments section.
2) On the right side of my You Tube Videos you’ll see a link that says “embed”.
3) Highlight the entire “embed” code asd then cut and paste your favorite video.
4) Under OR above the Favorite Underground Video, tell me why you Love it!
This is gonna be CRAZY and you know I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!
Pick your videos here ==> http://www.youtube.com/user/ZEvenEsh
–Z–
PS: Don’t forget if you wanna rock your own business and start doing what you love I’ve got TWO dates for you!
Nov. 14th NJ: http://zacheven-esh.com/coaching.php
Dec. 5th Florida: http://zacheven-esh.com/Elliott.php
PPS: Below is my favorite Underground Video, not simply because of the Video, but the experience I had when I rocked out this team for their training session. I NEVER trained a crew of such intense Gladiators and I loved it!
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 24th, 2009. 14 Comments.
I am returning home from a week long business and vacation.
Aside from push ups, my body (and mind) are starving for a full body workout.
The workout I’m gonna crank ASAP upon my return to The Underground is a favorite of mine and doesn’t take much time at all.
Hopefully you’ll give it a shot yourself:
1) Begin with the 1 arm dumbbell snatch. Hit 1 – 3 reps each side, then move up in weight.
2) Continue to repeat the 1 Arm DB Snatch until it becomes too heavy. Once the dumbbell is too heavy, use the 1 arm clean & press. Hit the clean & press for 1 – 3 reps per arm.
3) Once the press is too heavy, simply clean the dumbbell for 1 – 3 reps.
For me, I will work up to the 130 lb dumbbell, which you’ll see in the video below.
After all the dumbbell snatches, clean and pressing and power cleans, it’s time to rep out on every imaginable variation of pull ups and rope climbs and recline rowing movements possible, ALL with a 20 lb chain (except for the rope climbs).
It’s now time to finish with sprints.
If you have a prowler or sled, sprint with them, if not, sprint some hills.
This workout should take 30 minutes MAX.
Kick some ass with this bad boy, it’s a FUN yet Brutal full body workout.
Let me know how you do when you’re done and drop a comment below.
Good Luck
–Z–
PS: For more workouts that help you become an ass kickin’ MoFo, check out the 12 Month Beast Strength Program that comes with The Underground Strength System, Click HERE for details.
PPS: Below are Upcoming, Critical Dates for those who wanna start their own business and do what they love:
The 1 Day Underground Strength Mentorship & Certification Course
Nov.14th NJ, Click HERE for Details
Dec. 5th Florida with Elliott Hulse, Click HERE for Details
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 26th, 2009. 18 Comments.
Hey Bruddahs and Ladies… Thanks for stopping by again, I LOVE it when you visit
Below is a workout I cranked with “General Chow”, a D1 collegiate wrestler.
The pace was not as furious as normal, and, please forgive my new movie making skills as I JUST STARTED working the Hollywood skills on my MAC
Check the Video and then read on….
In a nut shell, here is the run down of our combat conditioning workout:
1) Bench Press – worked up to 2 heavy sets
** Followed the Bench Press with 3 sets of Close Grip Benching x Max Reps
2) Rope Climbing – 5 sets performed in “I Go – You Go” Fashion. Held the L Seat position to strengthen the core and hips… wait, your hips are your core!!!
3) Grappler Pressing – Performed in see saw and push press style for 3 hard sets in the 10-15 rep range.
4) Superset for 2 rounds, NON Stop: Chins & Dips x Max Reps
At the end of the night I finished with grip and ab work.
General Chow used to read my training newsletters back when he was a high school freshman, stealing cinder blocks and cement bags to train as a high school wrestler in the good ol’ Dirty Jerzee.
He would also have his younger bro hop on his back and sprint hills with his “Human Weighted Back Pack”.
In September of his Senior Year, General Chow began training at The Underground Garage, and that year he only had 2 losses and placed 7th in the NJ State Wrestling Championships. Those 2 losses came in the state tournament.
Pretty damn good
Now, I fear General Chow, so I wouldn’t mess with him, and, this is my goal for all my athletes and for you:
I want YOU to become a Bad Ass and put fear into me and anyone who gets in your way.
Got a comment on the Video or General Chow’s story? Drop it below
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Do you want to be feared? Do you want to be a Bad MoFo? Click HERE and begin your Journey.
PPS: Wanna do what you love? Wanna open your own hardcore gym? Wanna say “F**K it!!” and stop training those boring clients?
Now is your chance by learning the secrets at The Underground Strength Coach Certification and Mentorship.
Check it below…
Nov. 14th in NJ ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/1DayCert.php
Dec 5th in Florida with Elliott Hulse ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/Elliott.php
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Filed under Uncategorized by on Oct 28th, 2009. 18 Comments.
On some Fridays I send out an e mail to you guys and give you a “Freak Strength Friday” workout.
Here and there I skip it and people cry…literally.
So, here is a Freak Strength Friday workout for you to give a go and when you’re done, drop a comment below and let me know how it worked for you.
This is an Upper Body workout. The intensity is what YOU will decide to use. By intensity, I mean the % of effort you use with how heavy you train and how far you push each set.
1) Barbell Push Press: Work up to 2 heavy sets x 5, 3 reps
2A) 1 Arm Kroc Rows (Dumbbell Rows): Work Up to 2 heavy sets in the 15-20 rep range
2B) Weighted Push Ups: Work Up to 2 heavy sets in the 15-20 rep range
3A) Barbell Cheat Curls 3 x 5 – 8 reps
3B) Tate Presses 3 x 8 – 12 reps
4) Grip Training:
- Hex Holds 3 x 10-20 seconds
- Captains of Crush 3 x 5 reps
For the weighted push ups, it all depends how strong YOU are as to how you will add resistance.
Are you strong as hell? I do have e mails where people tell me to stop sending them workouts as they are already “strong enough”.
My daughter told me not to go to the gym today, her reason? “You’re already too strong, Daddy”
ahhhhhh…if only I was already too strong, just like the people who e mail me
You can add resistance to your push ups with chains, weight vests, weight plates, a person standing on your back, etc.
Cheat curls will be aggressive and will attack the upper back, shoulders, traps, biceps and grip! I don’t wanna see strict, girly mon curls. You dig?
Tear it up and let me know how it goes.
When you’re done with the workout, you better eat BIG if you wanna get Big and Strong.
If you’re already “strong enough” then please, by all means, let us know your secrets!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Keep an eye out on my E Bay Moving Sale HERE. I will be adding more and more stuff through the next few days.
PPS: Aside from e mails telling me they are already strong enough, people always tell me they hate their job and they wanna follow their passion.
They ask if it can begin part time and the answer is YES, it can be done part time to get started.
The smartest thing to do is to learn from those who are IN the Trenches, making shit happen in the real world and earning a living doing so.
So learn the start up secrets and my training system at an Underground Strength Coach Cert & Mentorship, because 5 year plans SUCK!
Nov. 14th in NJ, More info HERE
Dec 5th in Florida with Elliott Hulse, More info HERE
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Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 29th, 2009. 6 Comments.
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