You’re about to watch video footage of a early 1970′s Polish Olympic Weighlifting Team – and these guys are World Champions, not just the average gym rat, yet note how much emphasis their Coach places on their ability to master their body to improve their Olympic Lifts.
Check this killa, short video out ….
1) PULL Ups RULE! I ALWAYS placed emphasis on pull ups – and I used every single variation I could possibly think of. Pull ups jack up your back, biceps, shoulders and forearms.
Having a strong back improves your bench, improves your 40 yd dash time PLUS, a rugged, thickly muscled back looks downright awesome, don’t you agree?
Nowadays, I encounter varsity athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts, countless of which can not perform 5 strict pull ups.
This is pathetic.
A program of strength and muscle building requires a foundaton to be built, and pull ups, push ups and squats with bodyweight are a MUST have.
When I would travel to Israel there were no gyms in the area until I was 18.
Before then, my workouts consisted of an every other day pull up regime, 15 – 20 sets total.
I walked to the local playground and began with 10 sets of overhand chins, the last 10 sets had various grips and hand placements.
I still eat pull ups for breakfast, and at 220 lbs bodyweight I can easily do 20 + reps.
2) Mr. Gonzales Kicked My Ass AND he Can Kick Your Ass To! Back in undergrad it was required for Physical Education students to take a full semester of Gymnastics, 2 x week. Our instructor, Mr. Gonzales was a bad MoFo.
Read more on Top 3 Reasons Bodyweight Training Kicks Ass…
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 7th, 2009. 22 Comments. 
Ironically, I have been getting a lot of e mails regarding injuries, pain and staying healthy.
Let me tell you, as an addict of heavy iron for just shy of 20 years, I sometimes wonder if life has a purpose without heavy squats and deadlifts – no joke.
But, I also understand the importance of longevity.
You see, I want to be able to do this when Im 60, 70 and 80 years old…all the way until my very last breath on earth.
It hits me hard when my lower back is so busted up that bending over and trying to hold my kids still to change diapers is painful.
That is a serious problem.
I spoke about this with several friends and colleagues in the iron game and they all agreed…
We all want to be able to play catch without experiencing back pain, swollen knees, achey shoulders and other problems.
Now, the 1 thing I thought I would Never do…and I do mean NEVER….is Yoga…
Until, my homeboy Jonny Hinds spoke to me about his hand pain, back pain, and everywhere pain.
Jonny was a BIG time fan of BJJ and Muay Thai – he trained under Rickson Gracie before the first UFC ever was around and won the Pan Am games in BJJ.
But, Jonny also had his share of heavy training until he met a guy named Roger, who helped him reallign his body and very quickly rid himself of all those nagging pains.
I have been follwoing this Yoga DVD Jonny sent me as a gift for a few days now and each and every day I am feeling waaaay better.
My back and knee have been giving me problems and I follow the program for 12 minutes.
My daughter was trying to do the Yoga sequences with me yesterday, which was hilarious!
I e mailed Jonny yesterday my exciting news of feeling better and told him I would do the sequence every few days or every other day.
He said, “NO, you need to go 30 days in a row, rain or shine, and it’s not even gonna be funny how much better you will feel! All the pains I am experiencing now are a result of my years of beating myself up”
Jon is right, and it’s on, every night, I am doing this 12 minute routine, rain or shine.
Why? Because my health is worth it.
And, I hate being in pain when doing simple things like changing a diaper. I mean come on, is this what it’s supposed to be like at age 32 (I’m 33 on Thursday, yikes!!!) – what happens when I’m 43, 53, 63??
It’s all about being healthy.
And this means being smart.
My earlier years of craziness were definitely not smart.
Still, I cherish those times and would not change them, but, I am making a small, 12 minute adjustment because I want to be healthy and want to do this for a very, very loooong time.
Until the next time,
Kill it & be healthy!
–Coach Z–
PS: If you have any aches or pains, or, you simply want to add a meditative aspect to your training to clear the mind and body, I highly reccomend the Yoga DVD here:
Simply scroll down to the bottom of that page and you’ll see the Yoga DVD.
Keep me posted on your success and as always, e mail me w/any questions. I stand by this Yoga DVD wholeheartedly.
Time for me to get in my Eischens Yoga
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts by on Dec 1st, 2008. 9 Comments.
Recent Comments