Approximately 4 & 1/2 years ago I started Underground Strength Coach.
It was a small collection of articles and videos that all began by filming the workouts I did in garages, back yards and playgrounds with my athletes.
Today, we have thousands of articles and several hundred videos on file, a forum that houses thousands and thousands of workouts ranging from my personal workouts, my athletes workouts, workouts of other coaches and their athletes spanning the entire globe.
I always found strength training to be my savior.
Strength training became a ritual to me, and it was the ONLY way and the ONLY place where I could lose myself and find myself.
I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, as slightly over a year ago we held the First Ever, Underground Strength Coach Inspiration Contest, and we had some seriously inspirational videos come through.
Check out the 2 Videos Below and you’ll see what I mean….
Those 2 videos hit me pretty damn deep.
They choke me up.
I get countless e mails every day with people saying “Thank You”.
I can’t describe in words what it does for me that I have helped others, but I DO KNOW how others helped me, helped change my life, showed me how to become better and do better for myself, my family and others.
This Underground Inspiration Contest should be amazing as well. It has NOTHING TO DO with how much body fat you lost or inches from your waist you lost, it’s a combination of the physical AND spiritual changes that have come from you being a member of The Underground.
When you make your Video talk about how your life has changed in ALL areas, there is NO right or wrong answer.
The Most Inspirational Video will receive the Following Gifts:
1) Lifetime Membership to UndergroundStrengthCoach.com
2) ALL the Underground Strength Products Listed HERE: This includes The Russian Lion Power Course, Grip Experts, MMA Experts, The Underground Sandbag Assault, The Underground Strength System and The REAL Man Muscle Building Course
** Sign Up for The Underground Inspiration Contest HERE **
Peace!
And Remember….
Lead from the FRONT!
–Z–
PS: Not a member of The Underground Yet? Click HERE for a 30 Day Test Run. Serious Action Takers ONLY Please. Thank You.
PPS: “Always do what you are afraid to do.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Jan 5th, 2010. 8 Comments. 
Dave Draper said it best, “Dungeon Gyms are Heaven”.
Unfortunately, Dungeon Gyms are as rare a finding as is finding Sasquatch.
Check the Video…
Was that gym sweet or what?
I never saw Joe D look so nervous, ha ha
Sorry for the speedy tour, I had to get my ass back to Edison and open the doors to a HardCore Gym.
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Stay tuned, The Lost Secrets of Strength: The Biz Files are coming soon
PPS: I am laying low on holding my own Underground Strength Mentorships in groups, and taking 1 on 1 or business partners on individualized coaching instead (e mail me if you’re serious and want in).
But… Elliott Hulse is hosting the final Underground Mentorship in Florida, December 5th. If you wanna learn how to start your biz, click HERE for more info.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, muscle building by on Nov 25th, 2009. 21 Comments.
I am speechless with how to even explain what has happened here….. So many e mails asking me to talk about my mindset to leave a BIG job behind, how I support my family through the gym and internet and who my biggest influences have been in learning business.
In the next few episodes you’ll get some insight into my business mind and Joe DeFranco’s business and training mind.
Most of all, these videos are NOT just about the Business Mind, they are about the WINNING MINDSET, I highly recommend you watch them as mindset applies to LIFTING and LIVING!
In the last Blog you saw your previews for our upcoming Lost Secrets of Strength” The Business Files, slated for release the first week of December.
This is long stuff, so definitely whip a protein shake for these 2 bad boys…. Take some notes!
Till the next time….
More MeatHead Cribs coming tomorrow…
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Questions or comments, drop em’ below. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
PPS: If you want to learn the business and training systems that I use to grow my business and leave my job and do what I love with a family, then check out the up and coming Underground Strength Coach Mentorship in Florida, Dec. 5th.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Nov 24th, 2009. 7 Comments.
Wait till you try this Barbell Complex.
These freaking things pump you the hell up like NO tomorrow! Your forearms will BLOW up from these and will feel like they’re about to explode.
Check out the Video and don’t forget, The Hybrid Bodybuilding Course is 50% OFF Today for the Last Day.
Enjoy the video and drop a comment with your thoughts and experiences.
Have an awesome weekend.
I’ve gotta run and catch my beauty sleep. The 1 Day Underground Mentorship is Saturday and I’m gonna get BUSY with these bruddahs! 11 Peeps took action!
Next 1 Day Cert / Mentorship is with Elliott Hulse in Florida, December 5th.
Peace!
–Z–
PS: The Beast Strength Program is coming next week. 12 Months of the BEST freaking workouts I ever put together!
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Nov 12th, 2009. 18 Comments.
Yoooooo Dudes! OK, now that my blog post title sounds semi pornographic, it’s time to get BUSY!
Here is part II of me gettin’ CRAZY and High Reppin’ after going heavy on the overheads.
I cranked 3 sets of the incline dumbell benching and recline rope rowing NON stop, making it 6 sets non stop. I was insanely pumped and the non stop action forces the upper body into a whole new territory of fatigue, lactic acid build up and mental toughness.
If you wanna get crazier with it, you can try doing everything for time rather than sets, which a lot of old school bodybuilders did in the Golden Era, back in the 70′s.
So instead of 3 non stop sets of each, set the clock for 15 minutes and get max rounds of the military press for sets of 5 and pull ups with mixed grips for sets of 5.
The dumbbell benching and recline rope rowing could be cranked for 8 minutes but for higher reps, try 10 reps each set for 10 minutes on the clock. You are gonna BIG time send your body into a NEW world of muscle fiber attacking!
Wait till you see Part III, the grand finale of this workout, it was brutal and I am gonna be back with more tomorrow!
Till then, be awesome and kick some SERIOUS ass!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: My buddy and fellow Undergrounder, Elliott Hulse just released his killer muscle building course over at http://HybridBodybuilding.com. It’s VERY impressive, worth a look!
PPS: 1 More spot for this Saturday’s Underground Strength Coach Mentorship with me. Click HERE to take the last seat and get on the fast track to doing what you love and following your passion! The time is NOW.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Nov 12th, 2009. 13 Comments.
Guest Post by Joe DeFranco
1. Squat Heavy
2. Jump Rope
3. Do Chin Ups
4. Bench Heavy
5. Run
6. Sprint
7. Jump
8. Do Push Ups
9. Drink Lots of Water
10. Perform Barbell or Dumbbell Complexes Once a Week
11. Eat Lean Protein with Each Meal
12. Deadlift
13. Get 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
14. Eat Lots of Green Veggies
15. Perform High Intensity “Cardio”
16. Incorporate High & Low Reps Into Your Workouts
17. Allow Adequate Recovery Between Workouts
18. Don’t EVER Go on a Low Calorie Diet
19. Use the foam roller, tennis ball & lax ball to improve tissue quality and alleviate soreness
20. Dare to be Different!
(In other words; DON’T do what everyone else at your gym is doing. There’s a reason most people look like sh*t!)
21. Train Like an Athlete
22. Buy the “BUILT LIKE A BADASS” ebook and follow the program!
For more info on Joe D and his Built Like a Bad Ass E Book, set to launch Tuesday, November 10th, go to
Feel free to post your comments below.
–Z–
PS: Joe D and I will be releasing our Lost Secrets of Strength: The Biz Files in a few weeks. Stay tuned because it is sick, sick sh*t!
PPS: There is 1 spot left for my Nov. 14 Underground Mentorship & certification, a few more spots left for Dec 5th Underground Mentorship with Elliott Hulse in Florida.
Nov. 14 Mentorship Click HERE for the LAST Spot!
Dec. 5th Mentorship Click Here Before All Space is Full!
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Nov 7th, 2009. 9 Comments.
Listen to Elliott Hulse and I talk shop about http://HybridBodybuilding.com and why this is the style of training you should be using to become athletic, lean AND strong as hell.
Click HERE to download and listen, BUT, please be patient a few minutes as the audio file uploads as this teleseminar was 1 hour of action packed Hybrid Bodybuilding info.
Listen to the Hybrid Bodybuilding Teleseminar by clicking HERE < ==== Click
Post your comments below and don’t forget to get your free Hybrid Bodybuilding Video Series by clicking HERE.
Peace!
–Z–
PS:You can save the audio to your I Pod as well, enjoy!
Filed under Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Nov 3rd, 2009. 21 Comments.
On some Fridays I send out an e mail to you guys and give you a “Freak Strength Friday” workout.
Here and there I skip it and people cry…literally.
So, here is a Freak Strength Friday workout for you to give a go and when you’re done, drop a comment below and let me know how it worked for you.
This is an Upper Body workout. The intensity is what YOU will decide to use. By intensity, I mean the % of effort you use with how heavy you train and how far you push each set.
1) Barbell Push Press: Work up to 2 heavy sets x 5, 3 reps
2A) 1 Arm Kroc Rows (Dumbbell Rows): Work Up to 2 heavy sets in the 15-20 rep range
2B) Weighted Push Ups: Work Up to 2 heavy sets in the 15-20 rep range
3A) Barbell Cheat Curls 3 x 5 – 8 reps
3B) Tate Presses 3 x 8 – 12 reps
4) Grip Training:
- Hex Holds 3 x 10-20 seconds
- Captains of Crush 3 x 5 reps
For the weighted push ups, it all depends how strong YOU are as to how you will add resistance.
Are you strong as hell? I do have e mails where people tell me to stop sending them workouts as they are already “strong enough”.
My daughter told me not to go to the gym today, her reason? “You’re already too strong, Daddy”
ahhhhhh…if only I was already too strong, just like the people who e mail me 
You can add resistance to your push ups with chains, weight vests, weight plates, a person standing on your back, etc.
Cheat curls will be aggressive and will attack the upper back, shoulders, traps, biceps and grip! I don’t wanna see strict, girly mon curls. You dig?
Tear it up and let me know how it goes.
When you’re done with the workout, you better eat BIG if you wanna get Big and Strong.
If you’re already “strong enough” then please, by all means, let us know your secrets!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Keep an eye out on my E Bay Moving Sale HERE. I will be adding more and more stuff through the next few days.
PPS: Aside from e mails telling me they are already strong enough, people always tell me they hate their job and they wanna follow their passion.
They ask if it can begin part time and the answer is YES, it can be done part time to get started.
The smartest thing to do is to learn from those who are IN the Trenches, making shit happen in the real world and earning a living doing so.
So learn the start up secrets and my training system at an Underground Strength Coach Cert & Mentorship, because 5 year plans SUCK!
Nov. 14th in NJ, More info HERE
Dec 5th in Florida with Elliott Hulse, More info HERE
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 29th, 2009. 6 Comments.
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
Filed under Uncategorized by on Oct 28th, 2009. 18 Comments.
I am returning home from a week long business and vacation.
Aside from push ups, my body (and mind) are starving for a full body workout.
The workout I’m gonna crank ASAP upon my return to The Underground is a favorite of mine and doesn’t take much time at all.
Hopefully you’ll give it a shot yourself:
1) Begin with the 1 arm dumbbell snatch. Hit 1 – 3 reps each side, then move up in weight.
2) Continue to repeat the 1 Arm DB Snatch until it becomes too heavy. Once the dumbbell is too heavy, use the 1 arm clean & press. Hit the clean & press for 1 – 3 reps per arm.
3) Once the press is too heavy, simply clean the dumbbell for 1 – 3 reps.
For me, I will work up to the 130 lb dumbbell, which you’ll see in the video below.
After all the dumbbell snatches, clean and pressing and power cleans, it’s time to rep out on every imaginable variation of pull ups and rope climbs and recline rowing movements possible, ALL with a 20 lb chain (except for the rope climbs).
It’s now time to finish with sprints.
If you have a prowler or sled, sprint with them, if not, sprint some hills.
This workout should take 30 minutes MAX.
Kick some ass with this bad boy, it’s a FUN yet Brutal full body workout.
Let me know how you do when you’re done and drop a comment below.
Good Luck
–Z–
PS: For more workouts that help you become an ass kickin’ MoFo, check out the 12 Month Beast Strength Program that comes with The Underground Strength System, Click HERE for details.
PPS: Below are Upcoming, Critical Dates for those who wanna start their own business and do what they love:
The 1 Day Underground Strength Mentorship & Certification Course
Nov.14th NJ, Click HERE for Details
Dec. 5th Florida with Elliott Hulse, Click HERE for Details
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 26th, 2009. 18 Comments.
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