I see MANY Strength Coaches REFUSING to evolve in their training. They sit back and poke fun at others, talk shit and act as if their methods are the end all be all method for training.
They are NOT evolving. As an athlete, a Coach, a human being… you must evolve.
My training is evolving BIG time right now, my warm ups are getting longer and longer, evolving into play AND training and I’m feeling 100 X better….
My lifestyle is also changing. I’ve gotten back to doing what I USED to do over 20 years ago. Skateboarding, running, biking, swimming. Nutrition is going through experimental phases now as well as some supplementation.
More to come, but for now, Here is Part 1. Please leave your thoughts, comments and questions when you’re done watching.
Got any added thoughts, comments or questions, please drop em’ below.
Peace!
–Z–
PS: At age 35, my training AND life take on a whole NEW meaning, the majority of my training is coming via bodyweight and kettlebells. If you’re not training like an animal with lots of bodyweight exercises you more than likely are developing injuries that are waiting to explode on you. I’ve been there & done that, those days are over.
Start implementing These Bodyweight Exercises into your overall training ASAP and you’ll feel infinitely better: stronger, faster, healthier, more energetic and more athletic. Click HERE.
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 20th, 2011. 23 Comments. 
I gotta address something ASAP, this is becoming a BIGGER and BIGGER problem. I’m sure this will anger many and then we’ll have a few that can argue against this but it’s time to unleash some TRUTH.
It’s starting to piss me off because we have all these “strong” people who can’t perform in the “Real World”.
I’m done with simply chasing a bigger bench, squat and deadlift and you need to end that route as well unless you’re a powerlifter and willing to live with the pain that comes with it.
Chase that dream and let me know how your back feels every morning, how your shoulders feel and how it interferes with doing anything besides squatting or deadlifting.
Try playing with your kids with your back all jacked up. It ain’t cool, trust me, been there and done that. I HATED myself when it was happening. Don’t e mail me that you got hurt getting out of your car and pulled your lower back, or, strained your shoulder taking out the garbage. This shit happens.
At my recent Underground Strength Coach Cert, I had a MovNat Coach who shocked me by signing up. He’s a former Commando Marine in The French Army as well as a free diver and expert in various close quarter combat training methods. His great knowledge and fitness is NO secret, as I see that he is ALWAYS learning and expanding his knowledge.
I LOVE seeing Coaches out to learn more. Vic flew 27 hrs to attend the Certification where as countless local Coaches had excuses for not needing to learn more, what a shame.
On the second day of The USC Cert, Vic found no taxi for a ride to the gym so he traveled by foot for an hour and THEN we trained all day. For the normal person this would have been a struggle, but not for Vic, he is the new breed of man, or, perhaps, the older breed of man, when men were strong, fit and agile and had respect for their mind and body unlike the majority of today’s men.
It’s embarrassing to see the new breed of men and to even hear about this sad state that is on the rise. Sure, there are some FAT powerlifters and olympic lifters who can jump and run but they are far and few between. In addition, I’m talking about health, what’s going inside the body, not just on the outside.
I see this “Too Strong, Too Fat, Too Slow” issue with MANY athletes, especially football players who simply chase strength and pack on excess fat. They are USELESS on the Gridiron. Too fat & out of shape to make it through a full practice or go full force through an entire game.
Sure, they can squat, bench and dead heavy but they can’t even perform a bodyweight lunge, a jump, pull ups, rope climbs or sprints.They’re always hurt, tired, crying, whining and complaining. The solution is to shut the f**k up and CHANGE, don’t complain.
I see it in adults as well, especially those who fall in love with powerlifting or non-functional bodybuilding and make excuses for not performing athletic based movements, animal training and in a nut shell, exactly what we do HERE.
They complain that performing a longer warm up will interfere with their ability to train heavy. FIRST, be in shape….. if a warm up is a problem for you, then you’re probably a fat, lazy bastard.
Here’s the issue: you get too strong for your own good, training through only one plane of movement, negelcting all other movement planes, then you become weak anytime you step outside of that same ol’, same ol’ straight up and down movement. In essence, you’re weak unless you are doing the typical squat / deadlift motion.
Well, welcome to the real world because that ain’t gonna help you when it’s time to MOVE.
In life & sport, nothing is certain, this is why I utilize various training tools along with bodyweight to allow for varied movement patterns and maximum results. I’ve been performing lots of kettlebell windmills and bent pressing to open up my body more so, as well as going back to more odd objects and gymnastics based training.
You’ll feel healthier, stronger, more athletic and all around more agile, mobile and hostile. After a while, it’s the process that matters, not the numbers. REMEMBER: be a Soul Lifter.
I’m unleashing these methods to those who want to learn. If you’ve got excuses for not moving like an animal and remaining a fat bastard then this will anger you because it will take you outside your comfort zone.
Remember what I’ve always told you: Get comfortable being UNcomfortable.
Click HERE to learn my newfound methods, workouts, exercises and overall way of living so you too can take your training, health and mindset to the next level.
Peace
–Z–
PS: I just opened The USC Cert again, on sale for now, and, to be held at Underground HQ in The Dirty Jer-Z. Bring it & prepare for a life changing weekend!
==> Click HERE to take action <==
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Jun 17th, 2011. 17 Comments.
I just got home after a kick ass weekend in Austin, TX.
Austin is a cool as hell town, reminds me of a blend between my hometown and San Diego. The people are cool as hell, the cabbies are slower AND more laid back than Spicoli from ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and the girls are straight up Ass Kickers – I’ve never had such fit and powerful girls come through my cert like the girls of Austin (this is the 2nd time as they’ve been to NJ & now Austin).
I cranked my USC Cert to a sold out crew at one helluva gym and man did we light it up! Stay tuned for some highlight video footage.
I arrived Friday night for what was called ‘Project Mayhem’ – there must have been about 60 guys, ALL dressed in black going full out, tearing up the gym and every ounce of the parking lot with:
- truck pushing and truck pulling with a thick rope
- Keg Lifting, ground to overhead
- Pull Ups & Sandbag Carries
- 1RM Deadlifts
- Tire Flips
After these guys went through hell and back they tore up a meal fit for Gladiators along with plenty of beer to wash down all their well earned food. This training was one of the most intense workouts I’ve ever witnessed, coupled with their camaraderie I was seriously blown away with motivation & inspiration.
During our weekend USC Cert, many preconceived notions were laid to rest as many people think that the cert is all about choosing sides, aka, using one style and not another. Strongman only training.
Nothing could be further form the truth as we spent a large portion of time doing what I call “Animal Training” – it opened up everyone’s mind as to how we can train for power, speed, strength, athleticism and most importantly, optimal health.
Makes no sense to train with a certain style if it leaves you banged up and broken down.
Must it be strongman and odd objects vs powerlifting?
Or….
Perhaps it is bodyweight only, or kettlebells only.
NO…. Eventually, training with one style, for the majority, will lead to boredom, burn out, overuse injuries and lack of progress. Notice I said “for the majority” as there are always the rare few. There are few who make non stop progress with bodyweight only or kettlebells only, the men below are bodyweight only BEASTS, they are a rare few, certainly not the majority.
I do what works for me and apply the same principles when training my athletes. Not every athlete I train benefits from heavy deads or heavy squats, sounds strange, but the bottom line is getting results and as I spoke about in my last blog post HERE, some exercises can be your enemy and another man’s best friend.
We do, however, train like animals, the USC Coaches who just finished this weekend’s cert will attest to that.
We used bodyweight training through jump training, all types of climbing drills, animal training, plyometrics, jump training and gymnastics based training.
We tore apart the Sandbag training WAY beyond the basics and used various complexes and unique forms of “loaded conditioning”.
Yes, we used powerlifting AND strongman as well.
I take what works and remove what doesn’t work, as should you. It’s a form of ART, learning what works for you and those you train.
For my own personal workouts, it means working hard on certain things, easier on others. Easy on the powerlifts, hard on the animal training.
If you’re over 30 years of age you will really need to begin paying close attention to the way your body responds to all types of training AND nutrition.
Done for me are the days of aches, pains, injuries and training that simply crushes the body. If it interferes with my ability to play with my kids and live a pain free life then I am kicking it to the curb.
Optimal training, NOT maximal training, that is THE ticket. Learn it and Love it.
Stay tuned, the video footage I’m gonna set you up with from last weekend’s USC Cert is gonna be SIC.
Till then, pick up your 2 FREE gifts when you sign up at The USC Inner Circle, 30 day trial HERE.
Be an action taker and a leader.
Blaze a trail, take action and storm through brick walls.
Lazy peeps have no room here, there is no middle ground.
You’re either in or you’re in the way.
And now you know.
Peace.
–Z–
PS: See you on the other side, you will dig your 2 FREE gifts, get em’ NOW:
==> 30 Day UIC Trial
PPS: I’m adding three new Coaches to The UIC Expert Panel
TWO of these guys attended the http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com
and they are the real deal.
The other has been through my biz courses and tore up some nasty workouts at my Underground Strength Gym along with me.
He’s the REAL deal, strong as hell and walks the talk.
These guys are animals, literally.
The way they train, eat and move – it’s the way training was meant to be.
It’s a lifestyle.
They don’t pretend or fake it, they live it.
==> http://UndergroundInnerCircle.com
PPPS: The next USC cert will be in Florida, sign up HERE
One Coach is traveling all the way to Florida from Thailand, I saw training footage of him and he blew me away, it is going to be a eye opening and life changing weekend for ALL who take action and attend.
==> http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Strength Building, Success, Videos, muscle building by on May 3rd, 2011. Comment.
I am inspired to write this Blog greatly because of two men, both of whom I speak of often:
Jonny Hinds, Owner of The Monkey Bar Gym, who will also be presenting at The Underground Strength Gym in Edison in October (stay tuned for this announcement).
Rick Gonzales, my infamous college Gymnastics Coach.
These men have the seamless strength of Gorillas. They move their bodies through space and perform bodyweight strength exercises that are extremely challenging, yet they show such tight technique and high levels of skill, making it seem as if they are not even trying.
Kinda reminds me of the awe shocking strength of Gorillas, pulling themselves up and over obstacles such as 8′ walls using one arm with ease and speed.
I still remember Rick demonstrating ring muscle ups, one after another, with ease, talking to the class as if it was as easy as brushing your teeth. He explained to us how it was a pure strength drill, as were the majority of gymnastics basics.
1) Focus on Strength as a Skill: And because the majority of gymnastics drills were based on strength, he had us train for strength using the various apparatuses in the gym: the high bars, rings, parallel bars, pommel horse, crash mats and of course, the wrestling mat. The volume was high and we often had to complete total reps rather than prescribed sets and reps.
Examples were 50 pull ups, 50 dips on parallel bars combined with walking back and forth on the parallel bars, 50 leg raises, 50 jumps on the crush mats, 50 shoot thrus on the pommel horse. It was BRUTAL but I got strong as hell AND explosive from all of this animal training.
2) Walk on Your Hands: I’ve seen Jonny Hinds walk around on his hands with ease, walking DOWN stairs on his hands as well. BOTH men always focused on developing strength, speed, power and athleticism through the various forms of bodyweight training. Jonny also recommended hand walking on monkey bars and rings for greater upper body strength.
3) Jump Training & Plyos for BOTH Upper AND Lower Body: Rick had us perform full body traveling plyo push ups down and across the wrestling mats. Jonny performs resisted jumps for lower body often. Both Coaches used jumps to teach the body speed and power from the legs and upper body. BUT…. this requires a great deal of strength before implementation. Go back to square one if need be and focus on strength as a skill.
Check out my warm up, guided by instinct, followed by a portion of my workout, influenced by men stronger than I am.
And Now, for Part I of the “Gorilla Strength” workout…. I’ve got LOTS of work to do before I can give myself props…
I LOVE training with bodyweight, trying to mimic the movements of animals. I also LOVE ripping into heavy iron using Old School Basic barbell lifts.
Here’s my Question for You:
What type of training do you implement when “training like an animal?”
Drop a comment below, psyched to see you responses!
Peace!
–Z–
Recommended Resources:
Underground Strength Coach Certification
The Convict Conditioning Workout
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 2nd, 2010. 12 Comments.
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.
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Feb 16th, 2010. 2 Comments.
A few years back i was introduced to Jonny Hinds, owner & creator of The Monkey Bar Gym.
Pat Miletich and I were chatting by phone and told me I need to connect w/Jonny. Pat was a former UFC champion and has coached countless greats to the top of their game in the world of MMA.
Jonny and I connected right away and he blew me away with his knowledge and wisdom of physical culture.
We just spoke on the phone literally 15 minutes ago as he cruised around Santa Monica Beach on his bike, and we spoke about building “Natural” type gymnasiums with all types of climbing apparatuses, various surfaces for running, crawling, jumping and more.
I’ve always said, if I didn’t live in the Dirty Jerzee and I was located in a year round warm weather location, I would NOT own a gym with a roof on my head.
It would be a mix of a playground and old school muscle beach…..with a fence around it to keep the normal people on the “outside” 
You see, through my experience, I have met MANY athletes who were strong but lacked athleticism and power.
They could bench 315 but they would vomit after flipping a 400 lb tire a few reps.
They could box squat 400 + lbs but couldn’t drag a sled, couldn’t sprint and couldn’t jump.
At my gym we have guys who weigh 250 lbs cranking handstand push ups, rope climbing, jumping on top of tractor tires 36 + inches in addition to their ability to squat, bench and deadlift.
But, wanna know what REALLY gets my athletes souped up and gives em’ goosebumps?
They recall the days of training when I did NOT own a warehouse gym.
They recall the rope climbing in the backyard, swinging sledge hammers, sprinting hills, jumping on / off picnic tables and walking on their hands across 200′ of grass!
They laugh at the incoming athletes who think “today’s workout” was brutal.
So, if you’re not training like an animal now, when will you begin?
Make it Happen!
–Coach Z–
PS: LOTS of e mails regarding 2 things have been coming through: Lost Secrets of Strength and The USC Certification.
Yes, we have a few copies left of Lost Secrets of Strength HERE
Yes, space is available for both September and October USC Certifications HERE.
PPS: Wanna train like an Animal? Get yourself a pair of Kettlebells HERE – carry em’, throw em’, swing em’, press, row and snatch em’! These will send your training into a whole new world! Get your Kettlebells HERE.
Share and Enjoy
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Aug 25th, 2009. 7 Comments.
Recent Comments