7 Important Lessons from 7 Years as a High School Strength Coach By Brian DeFiebre / Underground Strength Coach From Zach ..... Before you dive into Brian's article I want to give you some history of how long I've known Brian and why I truly respect his work, dedication and desire to learn. Brian has been a member of Underground Strength Academy for YEARS now. It's gotta be 4 or 5 years at least. He's very active on the forum, always sharing what he is doing with athletes from his Lions … [Read more...]
Training Around Injuries VS Making Excuses
What did I do 2 days after shoulder surgery? I went straight to my gym. I set up a mini band and worked BOTH arms, even my arm that was wrapped up and in a few stitches. The other option? Sit home. Sit on the couch. Watch TV. Feel sorry for myself, crying "boohoo, someone help me...." It doesn't work that way. Help yourself. If you're a hard charging lifter, athlete or a Strength Coach, pay attention.... … [Read more...]
Why Some Athletes Are NOT Tough!?!?
This blog post will evolve as I evolve but for now, I am standing my ground on something I have picked up on tremendously over the past few years. I've learned this when it comes to understanding why some athletes are tough and competitive while others couldn't care less if they lost / lose over and over again. After working with over 1,000 athletes at The Underground Strength Gym, I've come across kids who simply do NOT care. They will cancel workouts 5 minutes before their schedule, … [Read more...]
Confused About The Best Workouts & Training Programs? Don’t Be….
Are you confused about the best workouts and the best training programs? Don't be. Let me Simplify The Truth about Strength & Muscle Building. Step 1 is to STOP looking for short cuts, fads and gimmicks. The truth is that you'll have to do the following.... … [Read more...]
Top 5 Things You Need to Know About Training Young Athletes
Training young athletes and running your business around "athletes only" isn't easy. It requires some serious mental agility, serious knowledge, the ability to overcome obstacles, the ability to have thick skin and plenty more. Although I address many of the training aspects here, there are more business aspects I will address next time. Enjoy this Video brought to you by WODIFY. … [Read more...]
5 Summer Football Workout Tips & Avoid These 2 Mistakes At All Costs
I've been stepping up and voicing my opinion on the overbearing, ego-maniac parents and coaches out there who are hurting their kids with shitty training programs and overall shitty decisions pertaining to training and ultimately, life. Why is it acceptable to let anyone and their Mom run the high school weight room? I thought this was about the kids? I understand sport coaches don't like this, so they threaten their players and disallow any of them to train at The Underground Strength … [Read more...]
Speed Coach Asks: Strength Training WithOUT A Weight Room?
I recently had a Coach who is running Speed Training Camps for athletes ask about incorporating Strength work while out on the field as they have No access to the weight room. This is a GREAT question and I am psyched to hear from a Coach who understands that being STRONG is integral to the development of speed. To some, being without a weight room is seen as a dilemma, for me, this is where I was born & bred, lifting heavy objects in backyards and empty fields.Nothing fancy about what … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Program Design Tips – Part 2
Here is Part II on our Underground Strength program design tips. My training model, for the most part, follows the concurrent method, where we focus on training strength, power, conditioning and muscle building in one workout. In this video I address the following: … [Read more...]
How to Use Bodybuilding for Athletic Performance
Can bodybuilding methods help improve athletic performance? Well, that ALL depends on HOW you use bodybuilding and IF the athlete needs bodybuilding methods. When I use the word "bodybuilding", I am merely talking about the method of packing on muscle. Don't be confused..... so, let me explain. And, a critical note to determine IF the athlete should use some bodybuilding methods for packing on muscle is described in this short, 57 second video: [youtube width="640" … [Read more...]
CrossFit and Cross Training
Lots of people HATE CrossFit. Of course, it's f**ing HARD workouts. Period. For my athletes I follow a system. A system of training is required to consistently get them stronger, more explosive, adding more muscle and improving their skill at the lifts as well. CrossFit is implemented into our conditioning work. CrossFit in lifting / movement / training is similar in philosophy to why I always tell my athletes to Cross Train in other sports to make them MORE athletic in their sport of … [Read more...]