Before the internet, the world of strength and serious bodybuilding was in it’s very own little world.

A small culture of people who shocked the rest of the world for doing what they did:

- Lifting HEAVY and straining the body

- Eating like Gladiators

- Transforming their body / Growing Muscles that stretched shirts

- The ability to perform feats of strength

Well, after this weekend’s USC Cert, we had a few guys in attendance who were in their 20s and they had never seen the movie,’Pumping Iron’ with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I spoke of Franco Columbo deadlifting a small car (in the video below) and how the bodybuilders from back in the 70s were more of a hyrbid power-bodybuilder because they lifted so heavy.

They also were BIG proponents of bodyweight exercises performed in high volume and / or with LOTS of added weight.

Arnold would perform back workouts by performing mixed grip pull ups until he could NO longer hold onto the bar!

Other times it would 5 sets each of chin ups, behind the neck chin ups and close grip chin ups.

When is the last time you saw anyone cranking out 15 sets of pull ups?

There is a man who I would consider “Strong as Hell” by the name of Marvin Eder, who was known for his astonishing strength back in the 50s and 60s and still, TODAY is known around the world in the circles of strength and bodybuilding, NOT just his astonishing strength in exercises such as dips and chins, but his strength in the powerlifts and the military press.

He weighed under 200 lbs yet would perform parallel bar dips with 2 men, each hanging from his legs.

His workouts motivate me to consider 100 dips my warm up, NOT a workout.

Marvin could also squat 500 plus pounds for 10 deep reps and had a bench press over 500 lbs as well.

This reminds me: I am NOT strong enough and have LOTS of work to do ahead of me.

What about you, are you strong enough yet?

Are you satisfied with your strength in the below movements?

- Squat

- Deadlift

- Strict Press

- Dips

- Chin Ups

I’m gonna be hitting a playground workout shortly, and at The Underground Strength Gym later tonight I’ll be squatting and deadlifting.

Today’s Morning workout will be tons of push ups, pull ups and dips.

Evening has Squats and Deads on the agenda.

I’m pretty fired up, motivated MORE than ever to be stronger than ever. I’m ALWAYS chasing the pain AND new found levels of strength.

In life, you gotta have BIG things to go after, BIG goals to attack. Starting my day at The Underground at 3 o’clock I’ll be training Rutgers Wrestling Team today as well.

I am excited to see the damage they’re going to be dishing out on their competition as they get stronger and more exposive training at The Underground Strength Gym, and, we’ll be blasting their conditioning levels
to a whole new level.

Once again….

All this talk of Marvin Eder and the men of amazing strength reminds me:

I am NOT strong enough and have LOTS of work to do ahead of me.

What about you, are you strong enough yet?

Lead from the front.

–Z–

PS: One of THE most impressive and influential books I have ever come across in the world of developing FREAK Strength has to be the one I picked up from Marty Gallagher, below, GET it HERE.

Of course, only if you’re NOT strong enough.

This Book blew me away.

Time to train!

PPS: Here are a few of my Critical Web Sites for SERIOUS Lifters and Coaches:

Underground Business Journal

http://GetWrestlingStrength.com

http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com

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I’m droppin’ some vids from my new web site, Get Wrestling Strength, but I bet you can learn a thing or two about training regardless of whether or not you wrestle.

We walk around on our feet ALL freakin’ day, why not use the hands instead?

It’s been a staple of my own training and how I train my athletes for MANY years now.

It improves grip strength, overall upper body strength, shoulder stability and trunk / ab strength & stability.

Look at Gymnasts, they perform countless drills with regular pressure on their hands and their physiques and ability to move with grace and power simply can NOT be argued with!

Think about how Gorillas live and “train”. Unlimited fruits and veggies, constant pulling, pushing of their own bodyweight and of course, wrestling one another.

I’m not saying you have to wrestle, BUT, partner bodyweight training can be extremely effective, which is what wrestling actually becomes. You are always pushing, pulling and lifting your opponent which is the same as pushing, pulling and performing the squat, deadlift and power clean movements.

The MAIN difference being you’re hoisting an awkward, angry aggressive person instead of a “weight” that doesn’t fight back.

My buddy, Jonny Hinds, has inspired me beyond words, and his strength, speed and conditioning speaks volumes for itself.

When I first heard about Jonny, it was through the words of some of the best MMA and BJJ guys in the world, like Rickson Gracie! They spoke of some guy who had the strength of a Silver Back and conditioning that never quit.

Well, Jonny was doin’ a boat load of hand walking on his Power Wheel and he also would go to the beach in Venice, Ca. where there were traveling rings to swing and train on, ropes to climb and various gymanstics type bars set up for hand walking.

He was strong as hell and when a man like Rickson Gracie talks someone up, you KNOW you need to pay attention and listen!

Start thinking about how you can change up your training regime to train more like an Animal.

Ask yourself the following questions:

- Can your nutrition change?

- Can your training tools change?

- Do you have to train at the gym?

- Can you train outdoors at a playground or on the trails in the middle of nowhere!?!?

- Can you lift stones instead of barbells and dumbbells.

- Can you consume more fruits and veggies?

- Can you perform more hand walking movements?

Don’t allow yourself to settle into a comfort zone of training the same way over and over, day in and day out.

Train Like a Gorilla, Eat Like a Gorilla.

Get Busy.

Lead from the FRONT!

–Z–

Recommended Resources:

June Underground Strength Coach Certification

The Power Wheel

Monkey Bar Gym

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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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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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Check out Part II of my last workout video, 5 Rounds of Hell, The Underground Strongman Circuit.

I step it up a notch, NO limits, hitting 60 lbs on the chin ups. Round 3 starts getting tough, Round 4 was Brutal and Round 5 kicked my ass BIG time.

After 3 Rounds this workout was purely mental. It woulda been easy to call it a day, but I was dead set on completing 5 rounds.

Not all workouts look like what you see above.

Yesterday’s workout was:

Squats: 7 x 3 Reps

Deadlifts: 10 x 2 Reps

Later that night, I performed 5 Rounds of:

A) Glute Ham Raises x Max Reps

B) Weighted Back XTs x Max Reps

C) Hanging Leg Raises x Max Reps

Due to time constraints I split up my workout in 2, sometimes 2 chunks through the day.

Doin’ what I gotta do and constantly pushin’ the limits.

What about you? Are you pushing the limits, breaking records or taking it easy?

How you train and how you live tend to go hand in hand. Want results? Then go the extra inches. Every single inch counts.

Drop a comment and let us know what you’re doing with life AND lifting.

Time for me to take action.

Lead from the FRONT.

–Z–

PS: Want more workouts like the one above? Check out The BEAST Program, Click HERE.

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5 Exercises

5 Reps Each

5 Rounds

This is a Hellish workout….. 5 Rounds of Hell, check the Vid Below…

Later that night, I did 4 trips with the sled and prowler, approx. 150′ each trip. I also did plenty of hanging leg raises and band pull aparts.

If you dare give the workout a go, please let me know how it goes.

Questions or Comments, drop em’ below, you KNOW I love hearing from you guys and gals.

Lead from the Front!

–Z–

PS: The 2 Day Underground Mentorship has sold out as well as The Level 2 Mentorship.

Just around the corner is the 1 Day Mentorship so get in before the doors shut for good!

Click HERE to sign up for the 1 Day Underground Strength Coach Mentorship.

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I’m a HUGE fan of Bodyweight training and full blown Bodyweight workouts.

This morning I had some work to do at the new house and my nearby neighbor, Uncle Mike Stehle, owns a gym 10 minutes away, you can check it out HERE, it’s a Kick Ass Place!

I was planning on doing heavy Deadlifts and Kettlebell work but Uncle Mike asked me to jump in on the group workout he was about to Coach, and his partner, one of the most bad ass dudes on the east coast, ‘The Milk Man’ was gonna take the class.

Our workout was pretty damn nasty, training for 30 minutes with 30 seconds work / 30 seconds rest.

We cranked weighted jump ropes, Animal crawls, pull ups, squats and more. My upper body was especially hammered from supporting myself on my hands during the workout.

Last time I trained with The Milk Man I got crushed, so I had to try to stay neck to neck with him, it was close, but Milk Man still outconditions me easily!!! I WILL redeem myself!

Anyway, sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in your “own” style of training, whatever that style may be. It’s a great idea to get outside your normal environment and normal training circumstances and do something different.

You can’t just be strong with one tool such as a barbell or kettlebell, you must possess the ability to demonstrate athleticism, body control and overall conditioning. Strength without endurance is NOT a good thing in the real world.

Even powerlifters, bodybuilders and olympic lifters need conditioning, it improves recovery ability and the ability to tolerate intense workouts.

I’m a HUGE believer in Bodyweight training integrated into your existing workouts as well full blown, bodyweight workouts.

At my gym, we climb ropes, jump on and over objects, walk on our hands from various positions, perform handstand push ups and countless pull up variations with countless handles to grip onto allowing us to improve our grip strength as well.

Sprinting up hills are older than dirt yet they are brutally effective for conditioning and improving your speed.

You can also perform jumps up hills or stairs.

I want to see more athletes with the ability to perform the following:

50 push ups

10 pull ups

5 handstand push ups

climb a 15′ rope

squat 50 reps

I see too many athletes who can bench BIG but yet can’t do 50 push ups, let alone TEN PUSH UPS!

I’m excited to be living near the beach, this means more sprints in the sand and more bodyweight workouts, most certainly with Uncle Mike and The Milk Man.

Time for you to train like an animal!

Lead from the Front.

–Z–

PS: Here are two of my favorite Bodyweight Training Resources.

Bodyweight University – This is my ultimate bodyweight training resource with workouts for upper body, lower body, full body, jump training, plyometrics, partner exercises and animal movements.

Convict Conditioning – I have TWO copies of this awesome book, 1 for me and 1 for my Coaches at the gym. YES, that is my affiliate link and I only encourage products I personally invest in, personally use and personally believe kick ass BIG time. This is definitely one of those resources! This program is strength focused through the use of Bodyweight training and man will it push you past any limits you once had in bodyweight training.

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Here’s a lil’ taste of my training goin’ down at The Underground Strength Gym, in good ol’ Edison, NJ!

There ya have it, some of my favorite lifts:

Squats: I’ll squat anything and anyway possible. I’ll use a box, no box, with bands, chains, sandbags, kettlebells and thick bars for zercher squats.

Deadlifts: I’ll use a regular bar, thick bar or trap bar. This is the ultimate exercise to develop serious, brute strength and a barn door back!

Bench Press: Using thick bars and all types of specialty barbells, the bench press gets a bad wrap, but it’s only a bad wrap by those who have no clue how to use and perform the bench press properly. And for the record, it doesn’t matter if your sport doesn’t require you to lay on your back and press, if you need strong, powerful pushing muscles, then you should be benching in some form or another unless you have an injury preventing you from benching!

Kettlebell Training: Kettlebells are NOT the magic bullet, BUT, they do require skill and athleticism to use them properly and effectively, and if you want to become a better athlete, they WILL help. The details required to master Kettlebell Training can separate the men from the boys.

Who is willing to focus and stay committed to learning the proper skills and technique, OR, who will quit and give up when frustration sets in as they learn the details of proper Kettlebell training?

Bodyweight Training: Pull Ups and all bodyweight pulling movements such as rope climbing and all the different grips you can use for chins and pull ups are a MUST have if you wanna be strong and develop a barn door back.

If you can’t pull your own body then you need to get stronger and lose excess body fat, plain and simple. Master your own Body. Period.

Drop a comment below with your favorite lifts.

Peace.

Lead from the Front!

–Z–

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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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