What did you want to do when you were a kid?

a lawyer?

a doctor?

a teacher?

a professional athlete?

an astronaut?

When you were a kid, you had a dream, and then you let being an adult get in the way, so you stopped dreaming, and listened to everyone else tell you that you need to be “realistic” - those bastards

When I was 13 all I could think of was working out.

When I was 15 or 16 I a sooooo freakin’ enthralled in working out that I knew I wanted to own a gym.

My Dad would take me to gyms around NJ just so I could check them out, and he would even look through business classifieds and we found pro bodybuilder, Rich Gaspari, selling his gym!

Then, I remember a gym in the area and it was old school, hard core and nice and small. The owner was burning out and man I wanted to buy that bad boy. Not long after, it burned down…no accident my friends

Today, I’m livin’ my dream, and leaving my full time job.

I never saw a kid say he wanted to own a gym or be a strength coach, but man, those kids don’t know what they’re missing

I’m still a kid, and livin’ the dream baby!

what about you, %$firstname$%?

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

PS - Let me hear your comments on this, I’ll be there answering your questions below

PPS - by the way, a few spots left for the November1st and 2nd Underground Strength Coach Certification. Live the dream here:

==> http://zacheven-esh.com/coaching.php

Keep it simple, nothing fancy, hit the weights hard, hit em’ heavy, go light when your body tells you to back off, and, if you’re feelin’ like a beast, go ahead and kill the weights…..and I do mean KILL IT!

That’s 585 x 2……

I’ll break that record soon enough….so stay tuned, it’ll come your way via The Underground Strength Show!

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Tell me about your latest simple, ass kicking workout?

Holy cow, there has been an insane response to creating the most intense 15 minute workouts.

I am really up S**t’s creek trying to pick the best one, it is near imposisble, I have really painted myself in a corner this time, ha ha!

I am really digging Dave Morgan’s beastly workout, and at the young age of 60, this man is a frightening beast. Dave is post number 9.

Then we have number 46, Steve McElroy, tearing it up in his basement and making anyone struggle through this simple yet brutal circuit!

Workout 47, by Parker, reminds me of something I read in a 1940’s Strength & Health Magazine, LOVE IT!

And workout 58, Kirsten Gobel, what a crazy girl she is, pushing a prowler with a sled attached to her waist and 100′ rope pulls.

I am gonna have to pick the numero uno from the list above, but, does that mean the other 71 workouts go without a prize?

I think not

I have an idea for all of you, but, my tech skills are not all that geeky supreme, so, I will figure it out and make it happen for you guys.

Thank you BIG time for all the wonderful responses.

If you’re short on ideas, get back to the blog and test drive one of those beastly workouts.

Gotta run for now, I have a BIG power lunch with someone in 2 hours.

Kill it,

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Don’t forget, November 1st and 2nd the 3rd Underground Strength Coach Certification is on. If you want in, read the web site first at http://combatgrappler.com/coach.html - then, e mail me for an interview.

I was in a bit of a rush Friday before clients were heading in and I was finishing up some internet work.

Not to worry, as I knew I could crank out some brutal workout for myself.

Hey, 15 minutes sounds like nothing but when you’re as insanely busy as I am, it works, and, I am still getting stronger and stronger.

Getting stronger is what I love, plus, the side effects of added strength are more muscle and burning fat around the clock.

So, here’s what I did in my Underground Strength Gym, where the heat was hovering slightly above 100 degrees thanks to the good ol’ jersey humidity

1A) DB snatch from the floor 4 x 5 reps each hand
1B) lateral jumps over flat bench 4 x 10

2A) weighted pull ups 4 x 5
2B) handstand push ups 4 x 5

On paper, this workout doesn’t look like much, but give it a shot and I know you’ll be feelin’ it.

Don’t fear going heavy either.

I hit snatches with a 90 lb dumbbell and my pull ups were with 60 lbs of chains.

If you can come up with a kick arse 15 minute workout, show me by commenting on this Blog Post.

The best 15 minute workout will get a f-r-e-e copy of my up coming e course, soon to be released. So you’ll wanna keep your eye out on your e mail box because this new e course is jam packed with materials that I have never released before.

The winner will be announced Tuesday

Post your workout in the comment section below.

Remember, this workout must be no longer than 15 minutes in length and somethign you actually did.

Gotta walk the walk baby!

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

PS - I have a free gift for you, regardless of the workout you post, over at http://realmanfittips.com - it’s updated and awesome and best of all, it’s fr-ee

Yesterday I made the one hour trek up north to my homeboy Joe D’s gym, and og what a gym it is,I’m in heaven there

It was our 2nd year competing in Joe D’s strongman contest, and this year we brought 1 high school athlete and 5 college athletes. Unfortunately, 2 were unable to attend due to injury and family vacation.

I had a wedding to attend yesterday and I was big time pressed for time, so, I also missed out on chowing down on more than a few burgers at The Goffle Grill, which I was really looking forward to doing while talking training with Joe D and his  kick ass trainers, Johnny Imp and Jeff Carr.

Now, as you know, my passion is strength and success - they go hand in hand.

Being at Joe’s place is VERY motivating, and I am glad my athletes went up there with their A game!

You can’t help but be motivated when you see NFL athletes, top notch D 1 athletes and hungry high school kids gunning for the top.

Our top gun was Curls - now, as I have mentioned before, Curls is NOT some genetic freak as most would assume. The kid had not one inkling of athletic talent when he was younger. He was slow, weak and fatigues quickly. He was tagged first in all tag games.

But, when he began working out, he found his passion, and, he never strayed from following the recipe of success 100%.

He always worked hard and smart, he always ate big and clean. I did say ALWAYS, how many other athletes are out there crying about lack of progress yet they eat like a bird, lift like a bird, and skip workouts regularly. Come on, get with the program, half assin’ it won’t cut it.

Curls went out there and killed every event, and I do mean KILLED! He even had the best tire flip time, and that was when he flipped the tire UP hill, which really stacks the cards against you. Curls didn’t care, he was ready to rock the house and trained extra hard to do so.

Check out Curls, below, KILLING the log press event…

the gist of our program comes from two places:

The Underground Strength Kit and The Russian Lion Power Course

Now that Curls won the highly coveted DeFranco’s Strongman Contest I think he’ll be able to sleep better at night

The rest of Team Underground kicked some serious ass. Although none of them placed top 3, they out up some very impressive numbers in the sled sprint, the tire flip, farmer walk and the log clean and press.

The problem is, I FEAR my own athletes, ha ha, but then again, that is a good thing and it pushes me to keep getting stronger.

I gotta make sure that I represent as well.

Because if I don’t lead from the front, who the heck is gonna listen to me!?!

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Wanna get inside access to the exact blue print we use for training?

Then check out ourUnderground Strength Kit and The Russian Lion Power Course

You’re guaranteed to start KILLING it with these two bad ass strength courses!

The Underground Strength Gym, located in Edison, NJ, was a gym built off “nuts and berries”.

I literally started this place with less than $ 1,000 and little by little added equipment, most of which is used or home made.

Most people think that in order to start a kick ass Underground Gym would require financial assistance from a bank, a business partner / loan, all types of fancy equipment and 5,000 sq. ft.

The Underground Strength Gym is just under 1,500 sq. ft. I could have stayed in my garage and played it safe while others told me how tough running my own business would be. The BIG difference is that I had the balls to do something about my passion, while other cry, complain and make excuses about it.

I have invested thousands of dollars in Coaching and Education because I know that it is an INVESTMENT. Others call it spending.

Too many personal trainers who want to kick ass fear the “investment” because they feel it is spending.

I have hired guys like Jim Labadie, Alwyn Cosgrove, Ryan Lee and even others outside of the fitness industry, often paying $ 1,000 for an hour of their time.

I understand that my investment will translate into many, many multiples of my initial investment.

I don’t fear, I act. I make things happen, and if I need help, I am not so egotistical to ask for it and pay for it.

I pay for my education, as did my Coaches. I don’t expect FREE advice, handouts or anything else for FREE.

I have bene helped by many, and this is why I immediately e mailed Ryan Lee after he announced he would scholar someone for his upcoming Ryan Lee Boot Camp.

The cost to scholar someone is near $ 1,000, I said so what, I want to give back, to pay it forward, to help a certain someone who has the drive to take action and make things happen, no excuses, no crying or whining.

I think there are far too many complainers, whiners and cry babies out there - want everything for free, or discounted, or adjusted for their pleasure and benefit.

I don’t work with people like that, only with people who want to kick serious ass, plain and simple, and know that it will require work and an investment.

It’s time to look in the mirror, and ask yourself, what kind of person are you?

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - The next Underground Strength Coach Certification is on Novemeber 1st and 2nd.

If you want in (I’ll be taking 12 people maximum), go HERE, read the entire letter, and if you are ready to Kill It, e mail me to schedule an interview.

I emphasize, SERIOUS, SERIOUS, SERIOUS inquiries only. No tire kickers, noone just to ask a few questions. This is the real deal. You either want in and are ready to Kill It, or you’re just “thinking about it.” I want people who are ready to kick ass like never before, so if you’re just “thinking about it” then forget it, you’re not the right fit for this elite program.

The last group who went through our Underground Strength Coach Cert. is already killing it!

- Dramatic increases in boot camp numbers
- Beginning boot camps in niche markets
- Opening Underground Strength Facilities
- Training athletic Teams

Yesterday, we had a high school Football player pop in, asking about training. The H3 he pulled up in looked familiar, so i asked if he was related to a certain someone who trained at The Underground Strength Gym… for 2 days.

His older brother, had his Mom pay for the training for a month. After 2 workouts he disappeared…no phone calls returned….no e mails returned.

I was pissed off that a young kid wasted his Mom’s hard earned money and thought nothing of it.

With his brother wanting in, I gave him the “speech”, and he was feeling that I wasn’t taking any shit or anything less than 150%.

We scheduled a trial and he went on his way, excited to come back Friday for some torture, errr, training, where we test the will to be in the program and commit himself.

Shortly after, I got to my own training. A very intense collegiate Football crew just finished their workout and they were hanging out afterwards. Mixed in with the group was Judo Beast, David Ellis.

I realized that The Underground Strength Gym was more than just a place to train. It is a place where younger athletes can surround themselves with highly motivated, well mannered athletes of similar interest.

For some, this is where they HAVE to be. A place where we shape them into kids who go in the right direction, as opposed to becoming thugs, lazy asses, disrespectful and the like.

I have a lot of work to do, it’s becoming much, much more than just training athletes. We’re changing lives here.

Back to work!

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Interested in being part of The Underground Movement? Want to be an Underground Strength Coach? Check this and e mail me for an interview for the acceptance. Our Underground Strength Coach Apprentice Program is also available for those who qualify after an interview.

P.P.S. - I’ve got something new about to be unleashes, watch your e mail in box.

P.P.P.S. - There is ONE place where everything Underground is under ONE roof. That place is HERE.

** Interested in membership at The Underground Strength Gym? **

- Application / invitiation only

- Call for scheduling a trial: (732) 379-9370

One week ago I got a new book in the mail, ‘The Purposeful Primitive’.

Holy shit is this book rockin’ my world! I LOVE it! It’s about freakin’ time I have seen a book of such caliber!

The stories and the inside look at how the strongest men in the world trained (I am talking specific workouts, detailing exactly how they trained) is rivetting!

The old school pics of these men training in Dungeons and hard core facilities really grounds me and makes me feel “at home”

You’ll find workouts from the great Paul Anderson, Bill Pearl, “Captain Kirk” Karowski and many more rugged men.

The photos alone will send you running through a brick wall and wanting to rip apart heavy barbells. Yes, I am that excited!

 As much as I loved Arnold’s Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding (the original version), I REALLY wish this is the book I had when I was younger. From a training perspective, this book lays out the laws of training for amazing strength gains and are much more applicable in the real world compared to 25 sets per body part in Arnie’s book.

The Purposeful Primitve also covers some of my favorite methods for “cardio” or “conditioning”. If you’re a die hard Undergrounder, you’ll love the style of training that is detailed for burning fat and building up your stamina.

It has truly been along freakin’ time since I have been so excited about a training book. This one will go down in the history books with me.

It’s a must have and you’ll be reading it over and over again, and of course, those darn awesome photos will send your psyche through the roof!

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Get your copy of The Purposeful Primitive HERE.

Since the explosion of the internet and the fancy shmancy gyms that have been popping up on every corner of every town, notice how everyone struggles with results?

You shoulda seen the gym Lou Ferrigno trained in when he was in Brooklyn, preparing to compete against Arnold. Oh man, what a little dungeon that was, with barely any room to move…..

Barbells and dumbbells and what else???

Come on, you know the deal….

sweat, blood, blistering effort, intensity…..

This is what training is about…. going in there and getting it done and not fearing what may happen to you.
You block out the pain, block out the sacrifice and focus on beating your previous best.

I kid you not, get yourself an old barbell from e bay or craigs list, some used dumbbells and then go to town on them!

You’ll freak people out with the speed you’ll slap on muscle and gain strength.

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

P.S. - This is the course I follow when it’s barbells, dumbbells and bodyweight only. Nothing fancy, you don’t even need a bench for this! Check it out HERE!

When I was 13 I started getting heavily into bodybuilding.

But what impacted me most was the info found in the original, Arnold Schwarzenneger Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. In this HUGE book were tons and tons of black and white photos of the rugged bodybuilders from the 50’s - 70’s.

These guys were more like what I call a “power-bodybuilder”.

They hit heavy deadlifts, heavy olympic lifts, heavy powerlifts, heavy cheat curls, HEAVY EVERYTHING.

They developed incredibly rugged, rock hard physiques and man did they motivate me to do the same!

These photos made me feel like I was living during the Golden Era, training with the crew at Gold’s Venice and on Muscle Beach.

I would watch Pumping Iron over and over again, and on weekends I would have my Dad drive me to see other gyms in the area as I dreamt of owning my own gym one day.

I wanted a hardcore gym, a dungeon like faciluty where everyone busted their ass and sweated buckets to achieve their goals.

I wanted a gym where everyone understood their purpose, and that was to train your ass off, surround yourself with other highly motivated beasts and to WIN!

Well, whaddya know…. dreams become reality and I own my own hardcore facility. Just as I envisioned.

I believed, I had the guts to make it happen and I took massive action - these are 3 keys to success.

If you want something to happen badly enough, ask yourself if you have followed the 3 steps above.

If not, how about NOW would be a great time?

In Strength,

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Wanna see what kick started my gym and my business? It allowed me to open up a kick ass gym with barely any investment, while others are out spending tens of thousands and paying loans, I owe not one dime to anyone and continue to kick ass. I am showing the world how I do it, get started HERE.

P.P.S. - Stay tuned, I’ll be announcing the next USC Certification course, very likely to be in November!