Straight from the man’s mouth, who has tunnel vision and no excuses and made it happen, BIG Time.

What about you? How many excuses do you have for not killing it?

Better watch this pronto…

Kill it!

–Coach Z–

PS: If you wanna hear some more Joe D training info, click HERE and start KILLING IT!!

PPS: The Underground Strength Coach Certification is not just about training methods. It’s my blue print for running the biz of my dreams. Want in? Click the link up top that says “Get Certified” - Better be damn serious or you’re not in!

On my one hand, I can count those who have REALLY influenced me in training AND in life.

Without hesitation, Jonny Hinds is one of those people. I connected with Jon maybe 2 or 3 years ago by phone, after Pat Miletich sent me his way.

I would spend over an hour on the phone talking about physical culture and nutrition every time. We would philosophize about life and exchange cool stories, and I’ll admit, Jon has more coller stories than I do

You have probably also seen I promote very few things that are not mine. The equipment Jon has developed blows my mind and kick ass physically.

Two of my favorite tools are his kettlebells and the power wheel, although I am quite the avid fan of his various jump ropes, the jungle gym and the power push up.

The conversation your about to hear is jam packed with golden nuggets of awesome strength and conditioning information. You’ll love it.

Please let others know about this Blog and this audio so we can spread the powerful info unleashed in this audio interrogation.

Click HERE for the Jonny Hinds Podcast!

In Strength,

–Coach Z–

P.S. - Get the power wheel HERE. I have spoken about the powers of hand walking, and the incredible core and ab training you can get from this awesome training tool. You will love it when you get it, I know it!

P.P.S. - Check out all of Jon’s products HERE. 

Got a great question today, one that applies to everyone, NOT just the ladies:

QUESTION: So Zach… Sounds like an Xcellent workout here is a question for you.   I am a 52 year young female fitness trainer….. I LOVE the USC training … I lay here with ice on my knees & hip after an intense KB sandbag & plyo bootcamp I participated in…

How can I keep up with Kids 10,20 ,30 years younger and should I continue  training this way ??? By the way, this intense working out is really the secret to looking young….  I look 15 years younger… I think I answered my own ?

Love your daily emails!

Lisa L.  / Gold’s Gym. SF, Ca.

Answer: Lisa, thanks for your question and thanks for the great comments

A workout should not leave you battered and bruised, requiring ice on the knees, hips, etc.

A workout should be challenging, yet not so brutal it interferes with your ADL’s (activities of daily living).

Unfortunately, many trainers out there do just that, they train. They train to smash you, kick your ass, put you down and make you hurt. And, some people like this stuff

A workout should make you stronger, improve power, improve work capacity / conditoning, etc.

I suggest you find a program that allows you to come home and feel like you don’t need the ice and took an ass whoopin’

Now, on the flip side, this should not be misinterpreted as the encouragement to take it easy. Everyone has their individual capabilities, and the smartest, healthiest individuals understand how to listen to their body and act accordingly. This is what gives you longevity and allows you to train for a lifetime.

This is also why I created my Underground Apprentice Program and The Underground Strength Coach Certification. All our athletes train with baseline programs and do not exceed certain intensities, volume, etc until we see they are physically and psychologically ready.

I actually had a friend who was going through these workouts, but, eventually, he said his body regressed in strength, muscularity, energy, etc.

It was constant dips, jumps, sprints, etc, always long workouts, never changing the volume, the intensity or anything else. Somedays he does only pull ups, other days hill sprints, other days he does a long workout, it all depends on how he feels.

In the end, the best way to train is according to the messages your body is sending you.

Today was a scheduled squat / deadlift day. I was beat up from Saturday’s strongman workout so I nixed the squat / deadlifts and went heavy on the sleds instead. I felt great and didn’t take my body to a point of no return.

Back when I was younger, that was fun, but, that’s what also got me injured.

Be smart, listen to your body

In Strength,

–Z–

P.S. - Wanna see my workouts, the workouts my athletes go through, videos, audios, hundreds of articles, program design methods and more? Then get to The Underground at http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com

Wow, the response has been HUGE, and I have e mailed many, many people back, don’t worry, I’ll get to YOU soon enough if I haven’t done so already.

Serious inquiries only and yes there will be an application process.

Your questions are answered below…

In Strength,

–Z–

P.S. - Don’t forget about The Baby Ethan Sale, which ends tomorrow morning

the 3 products you can save on are…

1) http://gripexperts.com e course

2) http://undergroundstrengthmanual.com e course

3) The Russian Lion Power Course (Deluxe Version Only) - this is going to arrive with an unannounced special DVD bonus - you’ll love it, it’s some hard core info, uncut!

The Deluxe version is at http://combatgrappler.com/russianlion2.html

Loue has a new book out and it is awesome.

Here’s a little gift for you so enjoy it and feel free to let others know about this Blog.

Click HERE for the Louie Simmons Podcast.

In Strength,

Zach Even - Esh

P.S. - Check out Louie’s Book, ‘The Westside Barbell Book of Methods’ HERE.

P.P.S. - Feel free to tell others about this Blog!

This e mail just in from Matt H., who will be attending the September Underground Strength Coach Certification (Sorry, Sold Out!!).

Q: With kettle bells why would you use them and why not?  

A: Kettlebells are an easy tool to learn and an easy way to learn a variation of the barbell olympic lifts. Everyone says they work the grip, and personally, I feel this is just a very, very small benefit behind kettlebell training, as there are many, many more reasons.

Many of the kettlebell movements are athletic movements and ground based. You are constantly deadlifting, squatting, swinging them, passing them from hand to hand - all of these movements improve overall strength, work capacity, hand speed, eye - hand coordination and improve balance.

The kettlebell is extremely versatile. Give me one kettlebell and I’ll work my entire body from head to toe. The ability to pass the kettlebell through your legs forces your posterior chain to work big time. The posterior chain is a BIG weakness among ALL athletes, so the more posterior work we can get, the better.

Kettlebells, on most movements, require speed and agrression. To clean the kettlebell you need a lot of hip snap, most athletes are completely lost when they must move a heavy weight with speed. They are used to slow, controlled lifts. Teaching the swing, snatch, clean and press and other drills is a powerful way to develop strength, power and conditioning.

I would use these with people who just want to “get in shape” as well. It is very easy to string together combo drills and complexes to aid with fat loss and muscle building as well as allowing you to train quickly and efficiently, no need for long, boring workouts!

Take the kettlebells out to a grass field and you can develop power by throwing them from various angles. Use a snatch throw, a push throw, 2 hands or 1 hand. Jog after it and repeat. Attach ropes to the kettlebells for hand over hand pulls, curls, swings around the body.

No ropes? Use a towel. Bear crawl with them. Carry them - from endless angles carries can be performed with kettlebells.

Q: When is the proper time to use them with someone and when not?  

A: I don’t use kettlebells with athletes right off the bat. Our Underground Strength Gymnasium has a baseline program for our athletes to go through in which they must demonstrate prowess in, which they will, as they continue to get stronger and improve their conditioning. This baseline program is available to our members at The Underground.

I believe athletes should become very adept at utilizing bodyweight drills before touching a weight. A knowledgeable coach will understand and know when the time is “right.” You can see this by the way the athlete handles him / herself during the bodyweight drills.

Q: What are the benefits of them and what are the risks?

A: I have listed many benefits above, the risks are just like those that come with any other training tool: barbells, dumbbells, sandbags, etc.

If someone is not ready for kettlebell training they can easily injure themselves. The low back can get overworked easily with kettlebells if an athlete is untrained in the posterior and in overall work capacity. The constant squatting and bending at the hips, the tension on the lower back - most people are not ready for this, so volume should be adjusted appropriately for the individual. Once again, a knowledgeable coach can read through verbal and nonverbal communication when it’s time to stop with the individual.

This should give a good intro to some Kettlebell training.

I love kettlebells, but remember, they are just a tool, not the end all, be all key to excellence.

We use many tools, but, we stick with what works and kettlebells have definitely proven to be very effective for the training of our athletes.

For those reading, please let other kettlebell training fanatics know about this Q & A. I hope it shed some light on the use of kettlebells and kettlebell training.

In Strength,

–Zach–

P.S. - Here’s where I have been purchasing my kettlebells from and they are top notch, without a doubt, 100% Underground Approved!

P.P.S. - If you wanna see my Kettlebell training DVD’s, I have two of them.

** The Kettlebell Training Blue Print - click Here

** Kettlebells for Combat - click Here

Just got an e mail earlier today asking about my thoughts regarding the Lifeline Kettlebells and The Power Wheel.

First off, I will never promo something I do not believe in, or something that you can not benefit from.

I have a few of the Lifeline K-bells and wish I had these earlier. They freaking rock. They do not have a glossy finish, they fit perfectly and the price is right.

The power wheel is a regular in my own workouts as well as our athletes. Lots of handwalks and roll outs, and some of our advanced guys hit supersets of pike ups and leg curls, plyo push ups into hand walks and one beast does standing roll outs!! Ouch!

I have been hitting the power wheel in between most of my sets of big lifts to add volume to my ab training. My abs feel tighter and stronger than ever! This is seriously the most awesome training tool one can use for the abs. Don’t believe me? Oh well, your loss Keep doing sit ups for 500 reps.

I usually hit the kneeling power wheel for reps in the 5 - 8 range when performing sets throughout the workout due to all the volume. Your abs will be feeling it big time….especially the next day, so start off slowly on these as most people are not used to the great amount of tension the power wheel produces on the abs.

I have many, many, many K-bells from countless companies. I don’t want to talk down on any company, but simply stated, the Lifeline K-bells are getting my top reccomendation.

You will also see a short audio I have just done interrogating Jim Wendler, where we chat about the release of his upcoming training manual which is an awesome manual, especially for busy guys, or, point blank, anyone who wants to get strong! I have received a preview copy and loved it. It has brought me to a new light, especially since I am busier than ever before.

Until the next time,

Stay strong!

–Z–

PS - Want the Lifeline Kettlebells? Click HERE.

PPS - Want the Power Wheel? Click HERE.

How ironic, that just after I began my stint in bodybuilding at the once famous Diamond Gym, Johnny Alvino was heading out.

John Alvino was a member of Diamond Gym when it was at an entirely different level of insanity with regards to hard core bodybuilding. From there, John went on to become a specialist in transforming the physiques of athletes as well as hard core lifters.

John knows a thing or two about nutrition so I got hold of this fellow Jersey boy and forced to dish it out for YOU!

Enjoy!

Read the rest of this entry »

Got a question via e mail and wanted to share this bad boy….

Question: I own a small gym in St Louis and have recently added a few thick bars to my collection.  I had a new member ask me an interesting question the other day, he wanted to know what muscles were benefiting from using a thick bar that would not benefit by using a regular size bar.  He also asked if you only used the thick bar would that hurt him in the long run because he is a pitcher and a quarterback on his high school team.  I told him that I would ask someone with more knowledge than I had on the subject.

Please help

DeAndtre D.

Answer:

Read the rest of this entry »

Ask me anything by commenting to the post. I’ll be answering the questions over the next few days
Have fun and ask away!

Dedicated to your success,

–Z–

P.S. - I get PSYCHED when I receive e mails such as these:

“Hi Zach, just wanted to let you know that thanks to some of the training tips from your site i won silver at the British amateur arm wrestling championships in the 220lb+ class, i weighed in at 245 and pulled a couple of guys much bigger than me. I’m now going to ramp up my training to make sure that i take gold next year, keep up the good work and stay strong.”

Dan Thomas
Cambridge,
England

********

I’ll be checking my questions tomorrow. Tonight might be a late night
Looking forward!

 –Z–