Below is a lil’ compilation of various Football / Gridiron Gladiator Workouts.

From myself to my bruddah Joey DeFranco and Duane Carlisle.

Duane Carlisle is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for The San Francisco 49ers.

Years ago, Duane had several locations of his OWN in NJ, not too far from Edison. I would listen to countless audio interviews with Duane, especially his speed, agility and conditioning work as my expertise was in getting them Strong as Hell.

Duane has given an inside look as to how he trains Football players with regards to Strength, Speed / Agility & Conditioning. You can pick it up HERE. If you snag Duane’s Total Football Training, e mail me your receipt and I’ll send you The BEAST Strength Program).

Check these Videos of Gridiron Gladiators in Training, Jerzee Style.

Now that you’re blood is pumpin’ it’s time for you to rip through some heavy weights and run some hills!

Lead from the FRONT

–Z–

Recommended Resources:

Duane Carlisle’s Total Football Training

Joe DeFranco’s Super Strength

Underground Strength Inner Circle 30 Day Trial

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Team Underground has been competing in Strongman Competitions held by Joe DeFranco since Day 1. I believe the first one was 4 years ago in the parking lot of Joe’s Gym. It was held after an Elite FTS Seminar where Jim Wendler & Dave Tate were present.

I still remember getting a 600 lb tire 3 or 4 days before the event so our guys could practice the tire flip. The tire was old and grimy and the guys couldn’t even grip the tire.

It was the beginning stages of The Underground Strength Gym being in a warehouse, after several years of being housed in my 2 car garage.

No one expected our athletes to do well as we were unknown to others. What others did NOT know was that my athletes were like a tightly knit unit of a Military Special Forces Team. They had gone through Hellish Underground Workouts in my garage, backyard and at a school field down the road from my house.

I still recall the spectators at the first strongman competition asking, “Who the hell is Underground?!?!”

That first Strongman Competition was an epic day and one that I still remember as if it just happened 2 minutes ago, where one of our athletes, “Curls”, had to compete against Adam “Trigs” Triglia in an overtime finale with a prowler race for the high school division crown.

Trigs won by a mere fraction of a second and it would spur Curls to go on and win the next TWO strongman competition titles hosted by Joe DeFranco.

From chubby slow poke as a kid to the world’s strongest college athlete it was a helluva ride. I try to explain to my athletes often that this chokes me up and makes me proud as all heck, but I still see nerves in their eyes every time I talk to them about what I want them to do and the high expectations I have of them.

This year, as we prepped for The World’s Strongest Athlete my nerves were running more than ever. With our college guys coming back to The Underground with nagging injuries and crazy work schedules we had to work around LOTS of injuries, strange time schedules and I had to rebuild these warriors.

We used lots of Eischen’s Yoga & soft tissue work to get the body’s back on track. Strongman training was actually VERY low volume and we focused on Kettlebells, Bodyweight and Muscle Building movements.

Several weeks our from this year’s WSA competition, my former students from Elementary School, Curls & Coop, stood nervous as we went over workouts, expectations, nutrition and MORE expectations. I got a bit choked up as I looked back to how fast time had gone.

It seemed like yesterday that these two boys were in 4th grade and we still bring back our memories of Curls rapping in 4th grade math class using Football touchdowns and field goals to help the class memorize their times tables.

Coop still remembers getting in trouble with me and sitting out after performing a death defying head spring off the vault during while I was teaching Gymnastics.

Curls remembers being slower than everyone else and getting tagged first in every game.

I remember those days like yesterday and after the WSA was over, I had this clear vision in my head of these boys still being scared and nervous every time I spoke to them. I realized we had only 1 more year of competition ahead and that as a TEAM, we had seen each other change and grow.

The boys growing from elementary school to high school stand out Football players, and today, the standouts of their college Football team. Myself, a teacher and wrestling coach and today the owner of The Underground Strength Gym.

Last year, our top athletes represented BIG time at The World’s Strongest Athlete. Curls took 1st in the college division, T Woods 3rd in high school and Kevin Kelly, a NJ State Trooper took 2nd losing the entire event by a mere half second.

It was a stressful day of events this year, with our high school Beast, T Woods, going through a repeat battle as Curls did when he was in high school. The first Prowler Race was so close we had to go into Double Overtime where Pat Cole edged out T Woods for the title. I didn’t get as much video footage as I wanted as I was too nervous pacing the floors of the event watching all our athletes compete.

T Woods had just finished a whirl wind 2 weeks as he was in full blown Football practice for the Snapple Bowl, a Football Game that pits the best players of Middlesex County VS Union County and you can see the reporters were BIG time impressed with his presence on the field HERE.

When Travis began training at The Underground, in the garage, he was training alone, in a corner almost, as he was too weak to deadlift more than 185 lbs without rounding his back.

On the other side of the garage was Curls & Coop, deadlifting 500 + lbs and motivating Travis to that next level. T Woods went from 160 lbs to 220 + lbs and is heading off to play college ball.

Check the highlight below and you’ll see how tough this event was and why I am so proud of the athletes who represented from The Underground Strength Gym.

Before the day was over I was PROUD of my crew for representing BIG time in more ways than one. They competed with every ounce of strength they had to raise funds and be strong for The MS Society as all funds were donated to MS.

The crew was ready for the next step and that was to prepare for their next season. They ALL showed up Monday ready to train again. Dedication. Commitment.

Although we battle for 1st place during this competition, our crew and DeFranco’s crew have become brothers through the years. It’s been an awesome journey watching our high school athletes grow into college athletes and now on the verge of graduation they’ll be heading into the work force.

I believe these are THE kids who can bring the economy back on it’s feet as they are warriors, they understand how to get results and don’t fear the hard work, sacrifice and commitment necessary to become a BIG success.

What these boys have learned in the weight room has made them better MEN.

And, because of these times and these athletes, I too am a better man.

I am grateful and honored.

Lead from the FRONT.

–Z–

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My last workout which I e mailed to you got me a lot of heat, not just literally, bit via cry baby e mails.

If you recall, I spoke about my workout with no water, and the garage door shut with the warehouse being hot as hell.

Because of all the complaints regarding how unsafe this is and that others will follow this and possibly hurt themselves I decided it is best to STOP training in such a dangerous manner.

I would HATE to see people getting mentally tougher.

I mean, now that I think about it, people are tough enough.

I will remove my article from the Blog, The Pussification of America…..

I will instead be part of the problem, as my “solutions” are too difficult and are life threatening.

I apologize if I ever caused you to sweat, strain or work outside your comfort zone. I must have been on strange drugs at the time, causing me to think and act in unsafe manners.

I apologize if I ever told you that sending text messages, checking your hair or popping zits in the mirror during your “workout” and in between sets of leg extensions was wrong.

Please – STOP working so hard. You will hurt yourself!

Squats are going to hurt your back and will ruin your knees!!!

The Bench Press will KILL your shoulders. I suggest using the smith machine and if the smith machine is not available then a GREAT substitute would be the pec deck machine.

If your gym does not have air conditioning, END your membership and find a gym that has air conditioning!

Do NOT be so insane or crazy to think that you can work out in temperatures greater than 70 degrees.

It is unsafe and unhealthy.

You will dehydrate and end up in the hospital.

If you are in high school and about to prepare for Football, have your parents organize a group and
write a letter to the principal, the superintendent of schools, the head coach and to the state regarding the need for air conditioning while training.

With double sessions approaching, you should be able to nap between workouts and have a perfectly balanced meal provided so you can optimally recover for the 2nd session of the day.

Water breaks should be given every 6 minutes and 24 seconds as this is the EXACT time your heart rate is likely to exceed 175 BPM which is EXTREMELY dangerous!

If the air temperature is beyond 84.6 degrees, organize your teammates and hold a “Player’s Strike” demanding a day off as the heat can be too tough on the body AND your mind. YOU deserve BETTER!

After EVERY practice go to the trainer and get a deep tissue massage for 20 minutes, followed by a contrast shower, alternating hot / cold water every 30 seconds.

The towels provided to you should be 100% Egyptian Cotton and the ladies who pat you dry should be 5′10″ with blonde hair, Scandinavian or Swedish for best results.

These rules should apply for ALL sports and ALL military.

Those of you who are Spec Ops in the Military, please have your Commanding Officer read this.

Print this out for him so he can read this daily.

During your long runs or specialty training missions through jungles there should be water stations set up and rest areas so you can replenish and rehydrate your body. This is EXACTLY what will happen during a REAL war and it is time to start preparing the RIGHT way!

Optimally, each water station should be 1.2 miles apart for best results. Every third water station should have a massage therapist on staff to massage your calves and feet to alleviate any discomfort or pain you may be experiencing.

The military will be moving away from REAL application and training in the REAL elements. Rather than jungle training the military will be renting NFL Football stadiums and creating mock Jungles.

The trees will be fake and the streams you cross will be created from high end pool manufacturers, loaded with deadly fish such as Guppies and Gold Fish. The snakes will not be poisonous, instead, they will be garter snakes, rented from local pet stores.

Wild Life will be rented from local pet shops and returned every night.

Soldiers in training will be allowed 1 break per every 45 minutes of training last no longer than 6.17 minutes
and no less than 3.12 minutes.

This will allow sufficient time to check facebook messages, check your e mail and call loved ones.

The Underground Strength Gym is closed as of June 20th, 2010. ALL equipment will be donated to the local scrap yard as our equipment has been deemed to dangerous for ALL people of the human race.

I can be reached for consultation at various gyms throughout NJ such as LA Fitness, Retro Fitness and Work Out World – I’m gonna keep Jersey Strong, brothers!

Lead from the front.

–Z–

PS: The websites which were formerly mine have been taken over by hostile foreigners and payments will be collected in person as opposed to credit cards.

I am NO longer responsible for the following web sites:

http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com

http://GetWrestlingStrength.com

http://ZachEven-Esh.com will be revamped shortly as ALL articles and videos will be removed due to their life threatening methods

Please allow me to take this time to transition into my new position as a personal trainer at the various “Proper” gyms throughout NJ.

PPS: Please let the guy below know about these NEW rules so he can stop training so hard for Football. He is going to hurt himself but my REAL hope is that he HURTS YOU

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“Kick Ass & Take Names in Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness”

The quote above is something that is ALWAYS running through my head and something I wholeheartedly believe in.

I believe life should be lived the way you want it to and that there is NOTHING wrong with going for your dreams and living life on your own terms, NO need to follow the rules of others or conform to what others believe to be right or wrong.

Normal People achieve normal success and live normal lives.

YES, Kicking Ass in Life & the Pursuit of Happiness is easier said then done, especially when you are in my OLD shoes and you are preparing to leave behind a full time job with a pay scale just shy of 6 figures, full health benefits and a pension all lined up. Even tougher when you’re a family man and you are the only source of income.

But, I had prepped and educated myself beyond belief. This is what people simply do NOT see. My book shelves are piled high as are my closets overflowing with books, DVDs and Audio CDs on how to run a Kick Ass Business and Live a Kick Ass Life.

The dollars invested in mentors, coaches and seminars are sky high yet ALL worth every cent invested. Notice I use the word “invested” and not “spent”. BIG difference.

No, these books I have are NOT handbooks, BUT, collectively, between all the education materials and seminars, they ALL played small roles in helping me make it to the Kick Ass Life I live today. For some, the road is easier. Everyone will have a different path towards kicking ass in life.

It differs if you are a family man or a single man.

It differs on your past and your state of mind.

Mindset is HUGE when it comes to your success. Remember, normal people achieve normal success.

I still remember the first day I sold an e book, it was $ 19.95 I believe, and I was a 5th or 6th year teacher.

My plans were to get my PhD and follow my TWO passions, teaching and training. I already had a Masters Degree and was almost finished with my Supervisors Certificate. But, I stopped going for my Supervisor’s certificate as I saw how my growth would be limited to the attitude of the administration and I wanted to remove any and all limitations from achieving my goals.

As my teaching career grew, the town I worked for began to go downhill. MORE paper work and LESS benefit for the kids in Health & Physical Education. The focus was ALL wrong and there was NO fun in it. The teachers around me walked around depressed, upset and the bad energy was draining me BIG time.

The countless excuses that parents made for lazy or rude kids and the lack of growth and forward thinking in teaching turned me off. I was less fulfilled and was BIG time disappointed because my first few years of teaching were amazing! I loved waking up every day and loved doing what I did.

I didn’t want to let that feeling go and I knew I had to be in control of life going this way. It was gonna take BALLS to make this happen.

As the years passed and administration changed as did the kids and parents (as you KNOW, I have a VERY hard time working with people who have excuses, are rude, lazy or dishonest) I became disappointed with my career and wanted more in life but most of all, I began to worry that I was not setting the example for my kids.

What would I be able to tell them if they wanted to make BIG dreams become reality and there I was, living and working in the same town I grew up in. Playing it safe. Being normal.

I didn’t want them to follow my foot steps. I wanted to show them how greatness and happiness can be achieved by Leading from the FRONT!

I wanted happiness for my family and for myself.

I wanted to pursue my dreams and live my dreams NOT dream my life.

The first Mentor who got me thinking about lifestyle design, creating a business to help me create the perfect life and living life according to my own rules was Alwyn Cosgrove (aka, Uncle AC).

In fact, to this day, when Uncle AC and I chat it always ends up being about lifestyle design and running my business according to THE rules that dictate lifestyle design. Things like turning down flying and traveling around the world meant saying “Yes” to someone else which automatically meant saying “No” to my family.

Sure, I was and DO leave a lot of money on the table but that doesn’t matter, you don’t always need the money you think you need to live the lifestyle you want. Tim Ferriss ALWAYS talks about this.

I had gone through enough hardship with my family during my days of teaching combined with running my Underground Strength Gym AND an internet business that I reached a breaking point and never wanted to go through it again. In addition, I heard enough stories of other men experiencing this same thing and I wanted to help them avoid this pain.

I had a VERY clear goal in my head of what the perfect day looked like, and EVERY time I consulted with a Business Coach, it always came back to what did I want to do and how the perfect day looked like.

Heck, I still remember one of my Coaches telling me I should say F**k it, and go ahead and train some rich housewives just to get the ball rolling. He was SHOCKED when I told him there is NO way I would do it. I explained to him the pain involved with doing something that I am not passionate about and how it can literally kill me.

He encouraged me to do it for just a lil’ while, only short term…… I said “NO.”

You see, I’ve been through enough shitty times in my life that it has scarred me to the point where I REFUSE to go back and refuse to lose through those time EVER again.

Sure, you will deal with haters who are jealous of your success and you deal with changes in your relationships with people because they will tell you to be safe and don’t let go of that job because of your health insurance, bla bla bla

It’s AMAZING that people stick it out in a job that makes them miserable because of health insurance. Can you imagine living life miserable all because some shitty job gave you health insurance??!!

In life, ya gotta have BALLS, and this is literally spoken, so women can have “balls” in this instance as well

Why spend 20, 25 or even MORE years of your life being miserable?

There is NOTHING wrong with kicking ass and taking names in life and the pursuit of happiness.

This is where sh*t gets tough because people will try to bring you down to “normal-ness”.

Haters will come out and try to bring you down so they can build themselves UP. HAHAHAHA, F**K them

Time to for YOU to Kick Ass & Take Names in Life & The Pursuit of Happiness.

Lead from the FRONT.

–Z–

PS: Mark your calendar for October 1st & 2nd. Go HERE and sign up for the Early Bird Invite.

** Note: Availability will be VERY limited to this event AND USC Coaches will get early invitations. **

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After 3 hours of training ALL of us Broke Personal Records in the Deadlift.

NO Science, NO Bull Shit and NO Excuses.

Watch and Learn!

What else can I say?

I LOVE to lift and LOVE to be around motivated BEASTS.

Drop a comment with your thoughts, psyched to hear about what helps YOU break records!

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

Recommended Resources:

Training for Warriors

BEAST Strength

Get Wrestling Strength

Underground Strength Coach Certification

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Martin Rooney and I talk about what life is like as a Strength Coach and give you a preview of what’s about to go down with “The Human Crane”.

Check the video and pay attention….

When I saw Martin box squat 405 for the easy reps it made me re-think and realize the carry over his training has towards his absolute strength.

I’ve seen Martin Bench Press 315 for a solid 6 reps and he weighs around 200 lbs, lean and mean.

The regular practice of sprints and bodyweight training have had a tremendous carry over to his strength, and these are NOT just my observations only. Martin told me that from doing all his push up variations and other challenging bodyweight movements so often they have a tremendous carry over to his powerlifting.

I have experienced the same effect so NEVER neglect the importance of attacking and mastering the challenging bodyweight exercises.

Lead from the FRONT or get the Hell out of the Way!

–Z–

Recommended Resources:

Training for Warriors Books & Workouts

Bodyweight University

Underground Strength Coach Certification

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Mike Medrano was BIG time impressive while training and he unleashed some awesome info about his own life through cross training and how he trained The Yeshiva Wrestling team to national victory through the use of bodyweight workouts.

Pay attention, because Mike drops GOLD!

I also peaked through Martin’s NEW book and the info is mind boggling.

I am fired up just thinking about getting the book in the mail, which you can get on pre order HERE, for 50% off. It’s valued, in my opinion, at least 100 times more than the asking price of $19 and change

Comments on cross training and the above videos, please add your thoughts below.

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

Reccomended Resources:

Training for Warriors Books and Videos

Underground Strength Coach Certification

Kettlebells for Combat DVD Kit

Training for Warriors Road Trip and The Books!

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Listen how these MMA fighters think AND feel while working out and how they put themselves in uncomfortable situations while training to prep not just the body, but also the mind, for the war that will be ahead of them, inside the octagon!

Yes, the barbells were very light, but the pace was brutal, and this is AFTER the warm up, which would crush most people with all the warrior bodyweight exercises and the sprinting.

Drop a comment below.

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

Reccomended Resources:

June, USC Certification

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Look at what I go through for you guys

This is Part I of a multi part video series as I took a long drive up to North Jersey to meet up with Martin Rooney, train with him and his fighters, learn from him and expose myself to Brand New, Deadly, Kick Ass training methods.

Check it below…

Stay tuned for Part II….

In the meantime, Martin’s latest Book, Ultimate Workouts for Warriors is on Sale HERE. Get it, it’s downright NASTY!

Lead from the Front!

–Z–

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First, let me say that Smitty and I are beyond humbled and honored by all the comments and videos that were submitted to win The Man of Steel Challenge.

We are SERIOUSLY floored by the response and are 100% psyched, honored and humbled – it was pretty emotional, actually.

It was damn near impossible to award 1 winner so what we decided to was to award 2 winners at each of our Blogs: 1 from the videos and 1 from the comments.

Also, those of you who submitted videos, please stay tuned for an e mail coming from both Smitty and I as we have a special “Thank You” coming your way!

The Winner from the Man of Steel Video Submission was the TOUGHEST one to choose from because these videos were so freaking BadAss! But, in the end, The Man of Steel Challenge award winner goes to Josh Hewitt, check out this inspirational video below:

And for the Winner from the comments, this goes to Comment # 8 from Bedouin John Albiola. Check out his reasons and motivation to get his hands on The Man of Steel Challenge below:

John even called Smitty & I “Sir” – which makes this comment even cooler!

“Dear Sir Zach and Sir Smitty,

its really simple… i think why i deserve MAN OF STEEL is because… i want my family to be together… My Dad is working in the Middle East… He is working there for us… for our college tuition… life is hard over here in the philippines… He cant come home or resign or quit his job because im still studying and also my sister in college… My Dad has been an Overseas Filipino Worker for 26 years now… and he wants to go home… but he cant because of our financial problems… so i told myself if i trained hard… if only i could land an athletic scholarship… playing college basketball… for my university… i can help my parents…. they wont need to worry about tuition… and our life will be easier… but becoming a varsity player is also hard… the try outs… etc… so i think i deserve MAN OF STEEL to help me achieve my athletic goals… at the same time… bring our family together… so my dad can come home… thank you sir zach and sir smitty…”

Here is what will happen next.

1) Josh and Sir John, please look for an e mail from Smitty and I coming shortly.

2) ALL Video submissions, please look for an e mail from Smitty and I coming shortly as well

Right now, Smitty and I are looking at Tuesday, April 6th for the release of The Man of Steel Challenge.

But, we have some final “touch ups” going on with the web site that need to be set to make sure our servers don’t crash as we’ll be offering a special sale during the first few days.

Time to open up The Underground, stay tuned for more and BIG thanks to ALL who participated.

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

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