Having a powerful, bone crushing grip is one of the cornerstones of a legit, strong MAN. Heck, you might even say that being Man means you must have a bone crushing grip. You KNOW you remember the guy who always shook your hand when you were younger that had you walking away saying to yourself, “WOW, that Dude has got one helluva grip!”
Do you think people say the same thing about you? If not, then I must say, “Houston, we’ve got a problem”.
If you’re gonna use the Kettlebell drill in the video below, you’re gonna need to slap on the “death grip”. Crush that handle like you wanna crush it to dust! Check the video….
The bottoms up kettlebell press is not just good for the grip and shoulders in the realm of strength, but, the stability required to hold the kettlebell in the bottoms up position is great for shoulder health as well.
I’ve been playing with ladders a lot lately, not just with presses, but also with bodyweight training, kettlebell movements of all types such as squats, snatches and the clean and press.
The ladders have been inspired by Pavel, and let me tell ya, these workouts are fast and efficient, and also a helluva lot of FUN. It’s a form of Density Training that Coach Reeve talks about HERE.
Low reps work great on the bottoms up press, anywhere from 1 – 5 reps, BUT, I usually go with higher volume on the sets to make up for the low reps.
More to come on this later, if you’ve got questions or comments on this drill, please drop a comment below. Looking forward to your thoughts 
Peace
–Z–
PS: Did you pick up your 7 Gifts yet? 30 days, one dollar, 24-7 access to the REAL deal behind my training, my mindset and what I do at The Underground and why we are always building BEASTS. Click HERE, you don’t wanna miss these 7 Gifts.
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 10th, 2011. 4 Comments. 
More and more of my workouts are bodyweight based. I have less concern with benching and squatting when it makes me feel like shit. Yesterday’s 5 rounds of hand walking and various gorilla pole climbing / rope climbing / beam climbing kicked my ass thoroughly.
Climbing beams as opposed to comfortable poles forces the grip to work overtime as the fingers are the only part of your hand allowing for grabbing. Walking on your hands develops incredible shoulder, triceps, back and ab strength. Coupled together and you’ve got yourself a kick ass upper body, animal workout.
I’m NOT impressed with myself in the least. Check the video below, trained by Coach Riz at The Underground Strength Gym. Dillon, only 21 years young and weighs about 170 lbs, check out his Animal Strength. That’s how we roll at The Underground!
Question for You: Do you have a favorite Animal Exercise or Animal training tool to share with us? Drop a comment below, looking forward to getting a LONG list of Animal training tips!
If you’re not training like an Animal, I suggest you get started pronto.
Kick Ass, till the next time.
–Z–
Recommended Resources for ANIMALS:
Underground Inner Circle – 30 Day Test Drive (For ANIMALS Only!!)
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Nov 9th, 2010. 12 Comments.
Above, The Sandbag ManMaker.
I’m a BIG Fan of NO Rules Training. Some people think I’m too much of a Rogue when it comes to training and they feel that I SHOULD be following the science and perfectly designed, unflawed workouts….
NO such thing as an unflawed workout. Every workout has Flaws. Period.
I’m 34 now. I’ve been getting under the bar for over 21 years now. Over 2 decades of sweat, pain, grinding weights out, pumping weights out, throwing weights, you name it….I’ve been there.
I speak from experience, in the trenches, NOT from sitting on my ass and sticking my nose in journals and never lifting anything heavier then a pencil.
With my experience, you KNOW when you need to break the rules and do some crazy stuff.
If you’re a newbee, then you need to take heed and be a little more systematic with your training.
My friend and strong as hell BEAST, Jim Wendler, and myself, BOTH agree that the worst thing to happen to the world of strength is the internet because people are no longer trying to figure things out on their own, instead, they are looking for some magical program or asking us to assess their undulating periodization program with circa max cycle phases.
This doesn’t mean that a lifter who has gotten in some experience can’t break the rules either though.
Remember: ALL workouts are flawed, even the workouts designed by the scientific experts.
Breaking the rules for a newbee might consist of carrying a sandbag for as far as possible in a 15 minute time frame, that movement in itself won’t be found in the note books of a scientific program and design book, but it’s gonna work every damn muscle in your body!
If you can’t hold the bag any longer, squat it down to the ground, rest 30 seconds and to pick it back up again, perform the power clean.
What will happen is rep after rep of power cleans and squats. The carries will attack every ounce of muscle on you body. Your mind will be tested, at times you’ll wanna give up and stop, but your inner warrior will tell you to push onward and upward, keep charging.
Is it time for you to break the rules?
Lead from the Front.
–Z–
PS: Get yourself a sandbag and start breaking the rules of training today. Your will quickly develop rugged muscle and brute strength unlike the lame results of your scientifically planned program and your mental toughness will be tested to new heights.
It’s certainly NOT for everyone, only those who want to become Warriors.
Get your Underground Sandbag HERE.
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Mar 7th, 2010. 3 Comments.
I cranked the tunes.
Warmed up…. calisthenics, bands, soft tissue work, glute ham raises, ab work….
Lined up the tools….. sandbag, dumbbell, atlas stone, anvil….
Then, it was time for WAR.
But, this is only the Beginning.
Part I, Enjoy.
Sometimes, you need a workout that includes an ass kicking.
All full body lifting.
I cranked a few rounds, but, you can also set a time limit, say 20 minutes, and keep cranking for 20 minutes and see what you got.
In Part II, I pick up the pace. Stay tuned.
Lead from the Front!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: The Live Events are filling up FAST.
Level 1 Mentorship in Va. Beach is coming soon. Attendees all get hooked up with constant support through private web sites, mastermind areas and ass kicking training and business information.
Bring your A Game!
Level 1 on March 20, Click HERE
Level 1 on April 9 – 10, Click HERE
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Feb 24th, 2010. 16 Comments.
Here’s a lil’ taste of my training goin’ down at The Underground Strength Gym, in good ol’ Edison, NJ!
There ya have it, some of my favorite lifts:
Squats: I’ll squat anything and anyway possible. I’ll use a box, no box, with bands, chains, sandbags, kettlebells and thick bars for zercher squats.
Deadlifts: I’ll use a regular bar, thick bar or trap bar. This is the ultimate exercise to develop serious, brute strength and a barn door back!
Bench Press: Using thick bars and all types of specialty barbells, the bench press gets a bad wrap, but it’s only a bad wrap by those who have no clue how to use and perform the bench press properly. And for the record, it doesn’t matter if your sport doesn’t require you to lay on your back and press, if you need strong, powerful pushing muscles, then you should be benching in some form or another unless you have an injury preventing you from benching!
Kettlebell Training: Kettlebells are NOT the magic bullet, BUT, they do require skill and athleticism to use them properly and effectively, and if you want to become a better athlete, they WILL help. The details required to master Kettlebell Training can separate the men from the boys.
Who is willing to focus and stay committed to learning the proper skills and technique, OR, who will quit and give up when frustration sets in as they learn the details of proper Kettlebell training?
Bodyweight Training: Pull Ups and all bodyweight pulling movements such as rope climbing and all the different grips you can use for chins and pull ups are a MUST have if you wanna be strong and develop a barn door back.
If you can’t pull your own body then you need to get stronger and lose excess body fat, plain and simple. Master your own Body. Period.
Drop a comment below with your favorite lifts.
Peace.
Lead from the Front!
–Z–
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jan 25th, 2010. 28 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.
Try this workout below, in the video. It’s an oldie but a goody, a blast from the past if you will
Get as many rounds as possible in 30 minutes.
You get 1 point for each round completed, NO half points
The name of the workout?
Damage Inc.
Here is your workout, Damage, Inc.
1. Hand Over Hand Sled / Tire Pull with Rope 50′ rope attached
2. Sprint x 150′
3. Pull Ups x Maxeps
4. Sprint x 150′
5. 1 Arm Kettlebell Snatches x 5 ea. hand
Drop a comment AFTER you’ve gone through Damage, Inc for 30 minutes.
I’m heading off to work with Blair Academy Wrestling team, the deadliest high school wrestling team in the country!
Drop a comment Bruddah!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: I love the http://UndergroundKettlebells.com – they got the right price, they are built like a tank, they fit just right, and they have a Nice, Thick handle for extra grip work so you can mold your entire body and hands into a bad ass wrecking machine! Niiiiiice
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Sep 2nd, 2009. 13 Comments.
Years ago, I was lucky enough to come across a College Strength & Conditioning Coach who I related to very much.
His psychological and physical ways of training made sense to me BIG time, perhaps because we were both wrestlers.
But, this guy, was PURE Gladiator!
No 2 ways about it, he was a Bad MoFo.
His own training began in elementary school where he would go out and run 5 miles on his own, without a Coach telling him to do so.
In middle school he wanted to wrestle, so the high school wrestling coach told him
he had to wait till high school.
But, what to do until high school he asked?
His Coach told him to do push ups.
How many push ups?
No one ever told him how many, so he decided 500 a day would be the number!
He scattered the push ups throughout his day.
He would use the OLD webbing grip tools to work his hand strength.
I haven’t seen those in a WHILE!
He even did 500 push ups the morning he won the high school state championships.
The Russians had their olympic athletes play full blown soccer games the night before their Gold Medal Volleyball match.
I can go on and on with stories of his man.
But, let me tell you, every time I get the rare opportunity to connect with him, I shut my mouth and listen.
His methods and stories always give me heavy dity ammunition to use for my own training and my athletes.
Listen to him talk, along with the other greats that will inspire you, educate you and open up your mind to an entirely new world of training in The Underground Strength System.
==> http://UndergroundStrengthManual.com
–Z–
PS: His name?
Coach Ethan Reve
==> http://UndergroundStrengthManual.com
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Aug 31st, 2009. 2 Comments.
I have been crazy busy the past few weeks, and I forgot about ‘FREAK Strength Friday’!!
How could I ever forget!
There are TWO things in the Blog today:
1) Your FREAK Strength Friday Workout
2) Information on tonight’s release of ‘Lost Secrets of Strength’ – this will be announced via our e mail list at midnight, EST
So Stay tuned for tonight….
Here is your FREAK Strength Workout to be rocked today, since we missed Friday!
On your own, perform your warm up including any soft tissue work and mobility work. I also encourage you to perform recovery and soft tissue work during AND after each workout.
1) Trap Bar Deadlift: Build up to 2 heavy sets in the 2 – 5 rep range
2A) Handstand Push Ups 4 x max reps
2B) Rope Climb OR L Seat Pull Ups 4 x max reps
3) Walking Sandbag Lunge (place sandbag on your back) 1 set x 150′ (rest as necessary to complete full distance of lunges)
4) Kettlebell Swings 4 x 30 seconds
5A) Abs: Hanging Leg Raises (Knees to Elbows) 4 x 5 reps
5B) Grip: Dumbbell Hex Holds 4 x 5 – 10 seconds ea. set
Regarding tonight and Lost Secrets of Strength….
Lost Secrets of Strength, Limited Edition will release tonight, the special link will be sent to your e mail when the clock strikes midnight!
We packed 6.5 hrs of footage onto 3 DVDs plus a Power Packed Bonus Audio where Joe and I discuss training, business, running your warehouse gym, how we started our biz, how we assess and evaluate new clients, how we came up with the money to start our business, program design and more.
The Audio CD alone will blow your mind!
I am psyched, can’t you tell!
Check out the videos below and you’ll get a taste of what’s coming!
But…I am warning you! This is ONLY reserved for the serious Strength Coach and Athlete. Attendees invested $350 plus all their travels as many flew in from around the USA to attend this closed door seminar.
The entire set will be on sale in addition to the added bonus only for the first 50 copies.
Check out what you can expect below!
I can honestly say that a HUGE reason why I have been able to boost my training knowledge and business knowledge is because I invest in my education.
That is THE difference maker between those who rise to the top and those who remain confused and stuck in mediocrity.
Every year I invest somewhere in the realm of 15 – 20 k on my education and it is well worth it!
Some call me crazy, I just call it highly motivated!
Let’s hear your thoughts / comments / questions below!
Whatcha think of the workout?
How psyched are you for Lost Secrets of Strength?
Are you looking to improve your training knowledge, business knowledge or BOTH?
Let your voice be heard fellow Undergrounders!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: If you’re not a subscriber to The FREE Underground E Journal, sign up in the little box below!
PPS: If you dig this blog, please share it through facebook, twitter or via e mail. Show the love bruddah!
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Aug 17th, 2009. 3 Comments.
Check out this rare video done in the Pizzaria next door to my gym.
I talk about how my business started, my early influences, my lack of money, my first time Tire flipping, how I got my first clients, grip training, kettlebell training, rope training and sandbag training.
Enjoy this video and drop a comment on your questions and thoughts. I am psyched to see what you guys have to say about this kick ass video!
Thoughts, comments, questions?
Drop em’ below!
TONS more like this to come.
Lost Secrets of Strength coming VERY soon.
Thank You for Watching!
Peace!
–Coach Z–
PS: BIG Events around the corner HERE & HERE.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, marketing, muscle building by on Aug 6th, 2009. 15 Comments.
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