If you wanna make it to the TOP of ANYTHING you do it starts with the MIND. You can train as hard as you want but if the mind is not straight expect little to NO success.

Same goes for Business. If you don’t believe you will not climb to the top of the mountain. Success comes to those who work for it, believe in it and EARN it!

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve got some new business courses about to be released, a mix of mindset and skill set combined with a heavy dose of #HUSTLE. I’ll announce through The Underground Biz Journal, HERE.

QOD (Question Of The Day): If you could give someone ONE piece of advice to achieve success in LIFE and Lifting… What would that ONE thing be? Drop your comments below.

Live The Code

–Z–

PS: Texas, I’m a comin’…. step up and let’s kick some ass, join the growing army of Underground Strength Coaches who are kickin’ ass & takin’ names. Click HERE for details

Let me leave you with these 2 videos today…. especially with the new year upon us and all those Bull Shit “resolutions”.

Here’s THE TRUTH: You want something?

Why wait for January 1st?!?! F**K that, DO it NOW.

Check these videos…..

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Please take a few seconds and share this out via twitter and facebook.

And, if we’re not connected yet, let’s fix that!

Connect with me on FaceBook HERE

Connect with me on Twitter HERE

Looking forward to seeing your comments

Peace

Live the Code

–Z–

Underground Strength Nation – FINAL chance before price triples, Ass Kicker Go HERE

USC Cert has a few spots left, Action Takers Go HERE

So, the holidays are here and you might be thinking THIS is the time and excuse to be a fat bastard. Hells to the NO, Kids!

Here is your time crunched, holiday workout. You can hit several of these all week through this hectic time of year.

Crank this simple formula that I LOVE to use:

Beginner / Intermediates can crank a 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 rep scheme

Advanced Lifters go Prison Style: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6…..1

The set up for exercises and program design are simple.

I prefer to do a full body lift coupled with a pull such as the video shown below.

Or…. Upper Body Lift + Lower Body Lift.

One workout your upper body lift can be a pushing movement such as a military press or bench press, next time make it a pulling movement such as a hand over hand sled pull, rope climbs or pull ups.

Another favorite which I’ll be doing through the week is a Bodyweight Bodybuilding Couplet for 10 minutes x max rounds:

A) HandStand Push Ups x submax reps

B) Squat Jumps alternate with Lunge Jumps x 10 reos

These density type workouts were inspired to me via Coach Reeve, who used to perform these brutal couplets for time with a goal set for total sets when he was a college wrestler. Today, he uses them to train Gridiron Gladiators at The D1 Level!

Check out this Holiday Density Workout, using keg clean & press + Mixed grip pull ups…..

Click here to view the embedded video.

Underground Strength Challenge: Hit one of these holiday style Density workouts and post a comment with your workout and how it went. Let’s see who has the most kick ass holiday workout!!

I am psyched to see what you got!

Happy Holidays!

Live The Code

–Z–

PS: Underground Strength Nation TRIPLES in price after the new year. The new audio being added is one of the most kick ass ever.

PPS: USC Cert is around the corner and we have 4 more spots left. Check it HERE

Hey guys…. here’s an update for the TWO Winners of The December, 2011 Underground Strength Nation Inspiration Contest. The Two Winners get a lifetime membership to The Underground Inner Circle.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sam Portland REALLY hit home with me and those who helped check the videos. He “gets it”. Listen to what he says about #LivingTheCode. He has NO excuses, he charges through discomfort and is making shit happen! I SEE the fire in his eyes and feel his passion from “Across The Pond”!

He drove his tractor tire down a highway to make shit happen! Isn’t that illegal??!! ha ha

Notice how he REinvests his income into making his business better and improving his knowledge.

As Sam says, “There’s NO limits.”

Thank YOU, Sam!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out Sal, working in his garage and yard to take care of his kids and show them how to have passion for health and strength!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sal’s kids are tearing it up….. bodyweight….. the power wheel… a sandbag… and the technique is TIGHT!

I see his kids having fun training, no one yelling at them, just allowing them to enjoy the experience and fall in love with fitness. I can see Sal’s passion for strength with his books scattered on the floor, all types of equipment squeezed into that garage. I KNOW the feeling, you fall in love with training and you want to keep getting different strength toys to take things to the next level.

This was a VERY tough choice, there were MANY participants from overseas in various countries and English was not their first language. Many training compounds in garages, back yards, basements and MANY in freezing cold temps!

I am embedding ALL the participants below, this was amazing, had me choked up, on verge of tears and struck a VERY deep chord with me.

I am beyond shocked at how many videos were submitted and I will ALWAYS REMEMBER WHERE I STARTED…. My friend calls this “Boots on the ground”…. remember where you came from and always be humble

Please check these videos, they will inspire you on your toughest days, because I know all too well, we ALL have them, NO matter how strong we are…..

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As you can see, these videos are ALL very unique in their own way, everyone inspires me. I suggest you watch them all, clear your head, and listen to the stories of these men who rise above and have gotten comfortable being UNcomfortable.

Thank you, My Bruthas!

Peace! Underground for LIFE!

–Z–

PS: Seriously, this was VERY tough to choose. You guys are ALL f**ing awesome!!

I announced this contest to my FaceBook Fan page, HERE.

If you’re video is chosen as THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL Video, you will win a LIFETIME membership to The Underground Inner Circle… That is some SERIOUS shiz right there, KIDS!

Watch the video below and just drop the link to your Inspiration Video in the comments box!

PSYCHED to see WHY You Built It!

Click here to view the embedded video.

The deadline for this contest is Monday, December 19th! Don’t try and make it perfect, just DO it!

Simply drop a link to your you tube video in the comments section below.

Live the Code

–Z–

Training young athletes is my passion. I LOVE helping skinny, weak kids go from Boy to BEAST….. not just physically, but mentally as well.

But, I feel HORRIBLE for the athletes who are forced to train with a Coach who has NO clue as to WHAT the hell to do with regards to Safe AND Effective training. Some Coaches do NOT want to learn. They use their EGO to control the kids and force them into training in shitty conditions.

NOTE: For those who want to learn about training athletes, I HIGHLY recommend THIS Book.

These kids end up getting injured and perhaps even worst, they are unable to reach their true potential because they are NOT maximizing their ability to get stronger, more explosive and adding necessary muscle. I have PERSONALLY been there and done that, this is why you see me getting fired up when I get into the topic of training athletes.

I figured I would address a few tips for training high school athletes as I get these questions on a frequent basis. By no means is this a complete, exhaustive list, just a few tips……

1) Should an inexperienced high school lifter be doing power cleans, squats, benching & deads?

NO.

NOT even with a light weight, the coordination is simply NOT there….. yet. It takes TIME. Train for the long haul, not for today and tomorrow only.

Build up their coordination with VERY simple exercises that yield a fast return in strength and coordination. Movements such as push ups, pull ups, bodyweight squats & lunges, sled drags, light Kettlebell farmer walks, ab exercises, high handle trap bar deadlifts, grip exercises and tons of band pull aparts.

2) Should young athletes max out every month for 1 rep?

NO.

Instead of using only the 1 rep max as an indicator, why not see if they get stronger from month to month or week to week on specific movements, or as Dave Tate calls them, indiciators.

Once you begin testing 1 Rep Maxes with young athletes form goes out the window.

If you keep a training long or simply remember in your head what you did for Trap Bar Deads 3 weeks ago for 5 reps, see if you can get a lil’ stronger for your 3 – 5 rep set today.How many pull ups did you get last week or 2-3 weeks ago compared to today?

Every workout is an assessment and every week you are testing yourself to see if you’re stronger as a young athlete.

Strength is NOT always in number of reps or amount of weight. It could VERY well be a greater demonstration of body control or control over the weight.

For example, an athlete does 5 pull ups but his legs are swinging up on each rep and he squirms his way to the top. 2 weeks later he bangs out 5 TIGHT reps, abs and legs are rigid, upper body pulls in a straight line with NO wiggle room. THAT is a Legit increase in strength. The reps are the same, but each rep looks 20 x better, you dig?

Don’t forget, make these workouts FUN… not just the style of training, but the atmosphere AND environment must be FUN and Competitive…..

Click here to view the embedded video.

I was in a high school weight room when a Football team was testing their 1 rep max on squats. I could NOT believe what was going on in there and how anyone with half  a brain couldn’t see from a mile away that this was some seriously dangerous stuff! The weights being used were waaaaaaay beyond their control and even the exercises selected were too advanced for these skinny kids.

NOTE: If you need to add a BIG Ass Pad to the bar when doing squats you need to get OFF the squat bar and focus on building your body up to handle a heavy bar across your back with OUT the BIG pad. Instead, build up your back, traps, legs, trunk / ab stability and entire body FIRST. EARN your way to the squat rack, that’s the bottom line!

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is also why I am NOT a fan of timed workouts.

I have found that NO matter how much you tell an athlete to stick to form and technique during a timed workout, the form goes to shit.

Shitty form = shitty results…. and soon enough, injury, especially if timed workouts are with added resistance.

Watch the video below, and even though only bodyweight training, watch how a timed workout alters the focus on technique and quality to a focus on racing others and achieving a better time.

Click here to view the embedded video.

As you can see….. even with repeated coaching and even threatening their life the form of these bodyweight exercises went OUT the window.

We deleted ALL times from this entire challenge at the gym & told the athletes that if technique is legit, NONE of it counts.

There are OTHER occasions where time can be implemented safely and effectively.

Here are a few of those times where we’ve experienced success doing so.

1) Running - You can’t half rep the runs! Race for 400 – 800 or 1600 meters! Race for 40 yd dash……

2) Underground Sandbag Challenge - The bag MUST touch the ground each and every rep and the bag must get ON top of your shoulder each and every rep.

3) Bench Press Your Bodyweight x Max Reps – Touch the chest every rep and lock out the arms every rep, leave 1 rep in tank for technique. This is cut and dry. The bar must touch the chest every rep, lock arms every rep.

As you can see, I am on the constant improvement of my training methods for my athletes.

On the flip side, adding competition to workouts fires these kids up, so you MUST find a way to incorporate competition within workouts but focus on technique. If technique wasn’t up to your standards (and you should push for HIGH standards) then it doesn’t count.

Should young athletes take their set to max effort or failure?

NO.

Even experienced lifters are learning more and more, optimal workouts WIN, NOT Maximal Workouts.

This Book is a PERFECT example.

Listen to Louie Simmons talking maximal training VS optimal training…. He encourages lifters to leave with energy in the tank. Athletes even more so should leave with energy in the tank because the reason behind their training regime is to improve their sports performance.

Check this freshman wrestler out, 14 years young. He started with us exactly 3 months ago, trains here 2 x week. He began weighing 105 lbs and got to 117 lbs, adding 1 lb a week for 12 weeks. He’ll wrestle at 113 lbs this season.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

He attacks the basics:

- Kettlebell farmer walks

- Pull Ups / Push Ups / Handstand Push Ups

- Sleds

- Back Extensions / Swings

- 1 Arm DB Rows

- Dumbbell Benching

- Kettlebell / Dumbbell Clean & Press

- Trap Bar Deadlifts

As you can see, ATTACK the basics!

By the way…. beginner or NOT, you need to attack the basics for LIFE. The movements listed above are regulars in my workouts as well. Why? Because they are LEGIT for producing results. Period. End of Story. DO Them.

But… Here are a few CRITICAL elements of a training program for high school athletes in addition to performance improvement:

- Improve Mental Toughness

- Increase Self Confidence

- Teach Discipline / Commitment / Intensity / Passion

Remember, we want to train these young kids for LIFE both on AND off the competitive sports field. People nowadays are soft, always whining, crying, making excuses and overall, are mentally weak. F**K that, some of your workouts need to be hellish (once they are ready for them) so these athletes understand what it means to go through a battle and fight to come out on top.

Click here to view the embedded video.

QOD (Question of the Day): How did you train when you were a teenager? What do you WISH you knew back then that you know now?

Peace!

–Z–

PS: USC Cert is coming soon, step up and make 2012 the year you experience a life changing weekend. Whether you’re a Coach or Not, this weekend will blow your mind. 2012 is coming, NO more waiting for things to happen, you start MAKING shit happen.

As Mr. Warrior says, start building it, brick by brick, punch by punch, you take your life back!

Time to lay down the law on those who listen and especially those who are “too cool for school.”

I’ve been there and done that & it led to a road called injured in a town called weakness.

This past week, I cranked 4 workouts this week, ALL of them stronger than the week before.

Progress is running smoother than ever.

Mind you, I NEVER feel strong enough, I’m always chasing bigger numbers, but most of all, Better Overall HEALTH.

It’s the idiots and morons who get satisfied with their strength or become too smart to listen to others.

Human Nature is ALL about staying in your comfort zone. If change is pending, people reject the new ideas and fear the change.

What FORCED me to change?

Last Spring I thought I had a Pec Tear.

I couldn’t even perform a push up without excruciating pain.

It was depressing me BIG time and I swear to you I was lost, ready to just stop training as the injuries were popping out of nowhere and I  couldn’t figure this shit out. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement.

I called ALL the big guys in the industry who had the smarts with rehabbing injuries and they all helped me, some more than others, but I took every piece of advice given to me and used them all. Eric Cressey & Kelly Starret became my go to guys when it came to my situation as well as my own experimentation.

I organized their ideas and put them into MASSIVE action.

I also had to put together what worked for me, which was different than the norm and these changes were gonna be quite dramatic, not subtle and simple.

I turned my mind into that of a Scientist, learning from MANY and experimenting on myself. I never fear experimenting on my self when it comes to training and nutrition. It brings me back to my early years as a teen.

I had to restructure my training BIG time.

The plan started with ALL bodyweight for a while, a loooong while, but with some VERY unique twists that allowed me to go way beyond the norms of typical bodyweight workouts.

These bodyweight workouts were anything but typical. After 3 months of bodyweight only training, I started testing the barbell again.

I craved some cold steel in my hands.

I started benching again about 3 weeks ago.

Yesterday I hit 295 for a easy double. EASY.

I’m squatting and deadlifting again as well. I’m even teaching myself some olympic lifts.

It ain’t pretty, but it feels f**ing Legit!

So, after having a body that felt like a big lug of wasted crap, what’s the reason I got better?

Because I LISTEN to the advice when my expert friends tell me what to do. I went out on a limb and got waaaaaay out of my comfort zone and experimented on myself to see what will work and what won’t work.

If It makes me better, healthier and stronger….. I USE it.

Getting strong alone is NOT the answer.

Health is the answer. This is why the old school magazine was called Strenth AND Health. Those guys were agile, mobile and hostile.

They could lift HEAVY weights overhead while also being able to perform gymnastics and hand balancing drills. They were THE standard, then, the steroid era came along with lazy meat heads and bull shit workouts that have you sitting on machines  for an entire workout.

I am psyched to have moved onward and upward minus the aches and pains which plagued me and depressed me.

Time to become the NEW standard.

Your # 1 goal must be focusing on your health, when you’re healthy, you can get as strong as you want, IF you follow the right program.

Focus on your health.

Think about the old school magazines, they had it right.

I’m tellin’ it like it is. The truth can hurt.

Talk soon, stay tuned for my special announcement on Tuesday.

I am PSYCHED!

Peace

–Z–

PS: Tuesday is THE day.

The doors to ‘Bodyweight Bodybuilding’ will open up and you’ll wanna keep an eye on your e mail in box for that announcement.

PPS: This is also why my Coaches are going to run a seminar ALL about getting healthy and getting stronger.

Our athletes are following this system and the results are better & faster than our previous system.

If you’re in or near NJ, come to The Underground and check THIS Seminar, space is limited.

Here and there I’ve given insight into my workouts but not in detail.

Yes, LOTS of videos but I wanted to share some details and if you dig it, maybe I’ll update once a month.

By the way, I hope you’re diggin’ the new Blog face lift

You can see there is now a section to your right which has a list of “Popular Posts”. If you wanna show some LOVE, use the search bar on the right, search for terms or articles and hit the Facebook LIKE button, share via Twitter and so forth

Would RESPECT your help BIG time

This past weekend we finished the final USC Cert of 2011.

Not sure how, but every crew excites me more and more than the last crew, each time, bringing greater energy and camaraderie to the table.

It always amazes me.

This cert was EXTRA special as I had 3 BadAss Coaches roll in from the #ATX.

This is their 3rd time going through the USC Cert and they LIVE the CODE!

They train hard, they live hard and they show others how to live the code as well.

USC is growing and our team is building with those who walk the talk, plain and simple.

Son we’ll be holding Certs in various areas of the USA and yes, some will be held without me. But, those who run each cert will be from those that Live by the Code & Die by the Code.

These are tried and true Undergrounders who have a passion for old school strength, a passion for helping other Strength Coaches, a passion for helping others become Strong as well as sharing the business strategies you need to follow your passion.

Too many people hate what they do and are miserable every Monday morning. F**K that! Been there, done that and damn was that A PAINFUL WAY TO LIVE.

I felt like it was more like dieing a slow death, NOT living. I vowed to NEVER go back to those days again and this is what drives me and inspires me to help others do what they love, especially if that passion is in the real of lifting heavy shit and helping others get STRONG, both physically AND mentally.

Our 3 Coaches were bad ass, check some pics:

Above, BIG Mike Gregory

Above, Jennifer Cardella

Above, Travis Holley

OK…. Here are the details regarding the next USC Cert - More details regarding our expansion to hold certs outside of NJ plus video highlights from this past weekend are coming soon!

On to my training log…..

After cranking 3 months of 95% Bodyweight Bodybuilding work I was feeling VERY hungry to attack the barbell. My garage gym is almost set and videos will come soon. My training is getting LOTS of time spent on my warm up as well as soft tissue work. I now crank soft tissue work EVERY day, several times a day, even if it’s NOT a training day, I get it done.

Yes, I know, it’s NOT the fun stuff and many see this as being “ghey” but if you wanna get stronger, you get healthier. Period. Speaking of which, if you’re in NJ, check our upcoming seminar HERE.

I’m feeling waaaaaaay better than I have in ages.

I won’t lie and tell you that bodyweight training helps your squat, dead and bench. Specificity is the rule. I felt more athletic, healthier and was pain FREE for those 3 months and it was exactly what I needed.

The constant focus on heavy lifting from age 13 to this day caught up to me, and, it was a blessing in disguise, forcing me to train smarter. Now, a healthy blend of Bodyweight Bodybuilding and my usual training style is back on track and I’m loving it.

Above, Jen C KICKIN’ ASS with 40 lb chain push ups!

Check the last 2 WOs I did.

Friday was programmed by Travis, Saturday was organized together by the crew at The USC Cert. I’ll get those videos up shortly.

Friday / Travis Holley / Strictly Strength Workout

1A) Box Squat 5 x 5

1B) Muscle Clean ANY Object (D Ball, Sandbag, Kettlebells) 5 x 10

1C) Mixed Pull Ups x 15 (Only on Sets 1, 3 & 5)

1D) Mixed Push Ups x 15 (Only on Sets 1, 3 & 5)

That Friday WO was awesome, my legs are STILL sore after 4 months of NOT box squatting!

Saturday Workout was LEGIT as I tore into the new dumbbell we got in, the OLD school York DBs! I LOVE these! We did this workout as a Group, Underground Strength Coaches getting after it!

1) 1 Arm DB Clean & Press 5 x 3 – 5 reps: 40, 60, 80, 100, 80 lbs

2A) Medicine Ball Push Up Complex 4 x 12-15 reps

2B) Rope Climbs or Mixed Pull Ups 4 x submax reps

3A) Jumping Bulgarian Split Squats 3 x 10 / 10

3B) KB Swings 3 x 10: 70, 80, 106

With my garage gym workouts I’m focused on the barbell lifts, sprints and ring work for bodyweight training.

If you dig these training log updates please let me know.

Also, please help out and share your favorite articles, videos, audios on the blog. This Blog has info going back for a solid 4 or 5 years now so your help will be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you in advanced!

QOD (Question of the Day): How has your training evolved the past few months? What are you doing for greater health AND strength? Drop a comment below and share!

Peace

–Z–

Check out ALL these videos of dudes submitting their videos to win their Underground T Shirt and their lifetime membership to Underground Strength Nation….. Some have been here before, we can see who the go getters are and who is Living the Code of The Underground!!

As I mentioned in my video above, the winner will be announced at my Facebook Fan Page. Click HERE to go to the Fan Page and see who WON!

Peace, Bruddahs!

–Z–

Deadline to Post Your Video Below: Monday, Sep. 19, 2011 @ 9 PM EST

Winner Gets a Lifetime Membership to Underground Strength Nation and a FREE Underground Strength T Shirt

Psyched to see your Inspiration Video!

Remember: title your video as “Underground Strength Nation Inspiration”

Post your video in the comments section below. Use the embed code. If it gets marked as spam let me know & I’ll fix it

Good Luck!

Peace!

–Z–

PS: Underground Strength Nation will open it’s doors on Tuesday, make sure you are subscribed for e mail updates by entering your e mail at the top of my blog (& get your 5 FREE Gifts!).

PPS: USC Cert is coming soon, next one won’t be for a while. Don’t be “That Guy” who always says he’ll do the next one, ass kickers take action NOW!