Here’s your Underground Strength Challenge for April 17, 2012

It’s ALL about the basics in this one, post your comments, weights used, etc in the comments section.

** Increase weight on each Set of trap bar deadlifts & squats **

1A) Trap DL 5 x 5

1B) ANY Back Squat 5 x 5

2) 100 Push Ups AFAP

Click here to view the embedded video.

Post your weights / comments / times below.

Looking forward to seeing how you did.

Live The Code

–Z–

Sign Up For The First Ever Underground Strength Conference

Space Is Limited. Click HERE

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Here are 10 Exercises that you simply can’t go wrong with (minus if you have any injuries, physical limitations, excuses, etc).

Check em’ out and decide how you can put them to use into your current training regime. You’ll also a unique video from one of my workouts this week….

1. Squats

2. Deadlifts

Click here to view the embedded video.

3. Barbell Snatches

4. Jumps

Click here to view the embedded video.

5. Pull Ups

6. Push Ups

7. Rope Climbs

Click here to view the embedded video.

8. Hanging Leg Raises

9. Hand Walking

10. ANY Ground to Overhead

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dan John once said that if all you did was clean and press you could become awesome. As I practice the snatch I see exactly what he means. His message is of commitment. Are you committed?

11. Farmer Walks (Carry ANY Object)

Underground Strength Conference 2012 is Now Open – Click HERE

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Undergrounders – I have the dates set for The FIRST ever Underground Strength Conference, BUT…. I need help picking topics and the format of learning. Please check this video and drop a comment! HUGE thanks!!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Remember, this will be in a hotel, NOT the gym, but, SOME equipment CAN be brought up.

You tell me… what would YOU like to learn and HOW do you want to learn?

Drop your comment, I need your help BIG time on this one!

Thanks!

–Z–

PS: Discounts will be given to Certified Underground Strength Coaches as well as Underground Inner Circle Members.

PPS: Austin USC Cert is just shy of being at capacity, if you’re anywhere near Tx, get your ass over HERE!

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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–

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Sometimes, time just ain’t on your side.

You have two choices when this happens:

1) Skip your workout and come back the next time. More often than not, your excuse will NOT be valid, it will only validate the fact that you’re an excuse maker and did NOT act on opportunity when opportunity presented itself to you. You contribute to the pussification of Man kind here and it’s suggested you avoid this at ALL costs.

2) Lock down your workout and attack with only 1 or 2 exercises. 1 exercise is 100% more than doing NOTHING.

I ALWAYS prefer # 2.

If I skip a workout when I KNOW I coulda cranked something… ANYTHING…. for 10, 15 or even 20 minutes, I can NOT go to sleep…. I can NOT look myself in the mirror and KNOW I am reppin’ Underground Strength Nation, reppin’ for my family and reppin’ for MEN.

I came across a few OLD School videos of me after reading a collection of OLD School Dr. Ken articles. I locked down 1 or 2 heavy exercises and went to town on them. If heavy isn’t your gig then go head to head, toe to toe with 2 bodyweight exercises.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The combo can be push / pull or upper / lower.

In between sets attack the foam roller.

Train hard, Train Heavy, Eat Big and Rage Against The Pussification of America.

This article is short and sweet, just like these workouts.

If you are a busy man or perhaps need to cut back and volume to spur on new growth, check out THIS program, your body will quickly learn to respect just how powerful a workout can be regardless of how short it is or how few exercises you use.

Check it HERE – Minimalist Training with Jason Ferruggia.

Peace

–Z–

PS: Strength Coaches…. Aspiring Strength Coaches….. the clock is ticking, in 2 weeks this will be the most info packed USC Cert EVER… with alumni returning and a fire in my eyes like NEVER before, this is the time you do NOT want to miss.

USC Cert – More Info HERE

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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–

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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!

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“Better to Live Your Dreams Than to Dream Your Life”

The USC Cert is a life changing weekend, for those who attend and for myself.

I get to meet hungry Strength Coaches…. hungry to turn their passion into profits with a burning desire to leave behind a life that feels unfulfilled with a job that makes them miserable. Been there and done that and it damn near killed me.

I am NOT a believer in “Just Do It” without some planning and a strong foundation. I DO, however, believe in making the jump and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations that push you to elevate your game, whether it be life, business, fitness, etc.

Ya gotta push the envelope or you’ll end up living a life of quiet desperation, wishing you did this or that. A close friend of mine once told me: “Why tell people that you dream of this day or dream of doing something, why not life your dreams instead of dreaming your life?”

He musta told me that when I was in high school, I was 15 I think, some 20 years ago, and I never forgot those words.

Food for thought….

Hope you got fired up and enjoyed some highlights and feedback from The USC Cert.

Next Cert is around the corner at The Underground Strength Gym, check the details HERE

Question for YOU: The quote at the very top was shared to me MANY years ago, perhaps when I was 15 or so by a friend while I was in Israel. I STILL remember the day he explained it to me and it drives me to follow my passion. What is Your Favorite Quote that has resonated with you for many years?

Peace

–Z–

PS: Do what you love. Find a way to make this a reality, rather than a dream. Time goes waaaay too fast and time is one of the FEW things you can NEVER replace once it’s lost. If you’re a Strength Coach or warehouse gym owner or aspire to be, then YES, that means making the trek to NJ a life changing weekend.

PPS: For updates on upcoming certs, business info, biz coaching, etc. please click HERE

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Do what you feel & feel what you do.

I was definitely feelin’ the urge to move heavy objects on this day. Kettlebells have been feeling GREAT and have helped my shoulder feel 100 X better!

Almost every workout has some form of windmills or bent pressing involved, whether it be the warm up OR the workout, I work those Kettlebells!

My focus on Bodyweight Strength is on a whole new level lately, I’m pushing hard to get the muscle ups down, on the bar AND rings. Back when I had college gymnastics I was banging bar muscle ups with ease, that was when I was 210 lbs or so but nowhere near as powerful as I am today, so I need to rework that technique and learn MORE.

I have also been studying lots of the Bodyweight Masters on video, like the crew below, and it’s NOT just about WHAT they do, it’s how they organize their training, i.e. program design.

Can BIG guys move? BIG guys can’t have excuses for being unable to move their body…..

If you’re not attacking the Bodyweight Training, get started HERE and eliminate the excuses.

Question for YOU: Are you a Bodyweight BEAST? If so, drop a comment with your Top 3 Bodyweight Training Tips! Looking forward!

Peace

–Z–

PS: A large portion of my USC Cert will be focused on Bodyweight training. Bodyweight training is your foundation and offers NO limits. In addition, you don’t need a gym to apply and use the power of bodyweight training to grow your body AND your business.

Sign Up HERE for a life changing weekend! BOOM!

Here is some footage from one of my favorite USC Certs, check em’. Oh…. lemme know if you can spot “The Bartenda” in this video…..

Sign Up HERE for a life changing weekend! BOOM!

USC Cert!

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Not EVERY post on this Blog will be about lifting. I don’t think lifting is the end all be all, perhaps you’ve heard me use the phrase, ‘Kick Ass in Life AND Lifting’? If not, read the book HERE!

Here’s a bit of my day and how things are rolling for me lately…

I’ve had a slam packed day and normally I do more work, but today was different. Many ask me how I get so much done and still have so much passion and energy on top of such a hectic schedule.

Well, # 1, I focus on my passion, and that is my family, living life to the fullest and moving my body in any way, shape or form.

My alarm was set for 5:30 AM but I woke at 6:30 instead. I went to bed after midnight so I wanted to get 6 hrs of sleep. Most days I am up before 6 AM, especially when the weather is nice out.

I like to get up early, not just because it’s quiet and allows me to get work done, but because I know many others do NOT wake early and I LIKE doing what others won’t do.

I like to be different and ahead of the pack. Being a conformist or part of the pack always made me feel out of place, ironically.

Fired up my only cup of coffee for the day and then I cranked a bit of work on the internets before my wife and kids woke up, then I make breakfast for the family.

Egg omelets, french toast, chocolate chip pancakes… you name it, I make it. Today was pancakes and egg omelets.

Then, it was off to tennis in the AM with my daughter and my son came to watch and run around like a wild boy does Afterwards, my son demanded a trip to the bagel deli, so we went! ha ha

The kid is GROWING, what can I say!

After brunch with Ethan, I did a lil’ work on the internets and then got some new wheels on my skateboard.

I’m doing LOTS of stuff that I used to do as a  kid and living by the beach is bringing me back to those good ol’ days of playing all day and night.

I drove 45 minutes north and spent time chatting with my homeboy, Jonny Hinds, inventor of The Power Wheel.

We spoke about a TON of stuff, as we always do:

- bodyweight training (we ALWAYS get fired up talking training)

- life

- business

- skate boarding

- NYC & life in the city of Chicago

- jiu jitsu training now vs BJJ in the past

- the importance of recovery

- Rickson Gracie

- The Bartendaz

….and planned a mini hang out for a few days now that I fly

We always end up chatting about our passions and bodyweight training always brings inspiration, so, check out some of the guys we we were talking about who inspired the heck out of us!!

I got up north and shopped for the final prizes for the http://LiftSTRONG2011.com benefit. From there, it was time for Toys R Us.

Then, I shopped for birthday gifts for Ethan, he turns 3 this Sunday! I am psyched and wanted to get him tons of awesome gifts. The reactions he has when opening presents and tearing off wrapping paper is priceless!!!

I also bought my daughter a gift, I can’t let her watch Ethan unwrap gifts without her getting a gift as well

I finished shopping and flew over to open The Underground and trained athletes from 4 – 6 pm. We tore it up with bodyweight, dumbbells and strongman training.

After 6 pm crew was done training, off I went, food shopping for Lift STRONG.

I bought 8 hamburgers and 50 hot dogs amongst other things. These Dudes better be
HUNGRY! I dropped the food off at my parents pad since they still live up north near my gym.

I had a nice home cooked meal from my Mom, chicken and brown rice, then drove home to crank some final work. I coulda called it a day but shit needs to get done and most peeps would quit, I ain’t most peeps.

I went through a lot of blog comments and answered them and was really humbled by all the kind words people are saying on the blog.

Is every day this hectic?

Heck NO.

My days are usually very carefully planned, by the hour, broken down. Organized and committed to getting things done! Today was a wild day and I also need them here and again to get away from work, work, work.

After 2 days of heavy lifting, this was a rest day. A well deserved rest day! Train hard = Rest Hard!

I got time to spend with my kids and that really matters most to me.  Time to hit the bed and get ready for a strong day tomorrow.

Question for YOU: What else do you want to see from me on my blog? Do you want me creating a specific product, training or non training? Please describe in the comments section, thanks!

Peace

–Z–

PS: By the way, I just opened my USC Cert up, back in NJ again

Not all attendees are coaches, many attend for personal growth.

Many are looking for a weekend to challenge them both emotionally and physically.

They want to experience a life changing weekend that they will NEVER forget, a weekend that will solidify them as an Underground Strength Coach.

I am psyched for this cert, especially after traveling away from home, I KNOW the energy is always at it’s best when I’m home, at Underground HQ, kicking ass and taking names with YOU.

Sign up and be ready for a life changing experience:

==> http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com

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