There are those who “Get it” and those who simply don’t “Get it”.
Some struggle with how to train athletes, having no system of their own, no time in the trenches and too much time on their ass sitting in front of a computer and in the books, NO Real World application.
Some try opening their business and quickly crumble and fall out of “business”.
Some see adversity and cower away, while others stare it straight in the eyes and keep charging.
Some have a laundry list of excuses and very few take responsibility.
Some Kick ass and Take names while others get their ass kicked.
Some are The Hunters, other are the Hunted.
If the Devil was facing you in the cage would you still fight, or would you lie down and quit?
You must be relentless when attacking your goals if you ever want to achieve them and start living life on your own terms.
Who cares what others think or say you should do. You can follow or you can lead, doing both doesn’t cut it.
Blaze your own trail. Yes, you will mistakes and be knocked on your ass and on your back, you can lie down and quit or get back up…. again and again.
Here’s a guy who “Gets it”…. BIG Time.
He Kicks ass and is on a mission, with fire his in eyes.
The Virginia Beach Beast, Matty Wichlinski, a Bruddah who Leads from the Front!
Check it…
When Matt opened his warehouse gym he was struggling in more ways than one in his life. While others could have given up, lied down or simply never have taken the first step, Matty took massive action to achieve his dream of opening a warehouse gym.
He has been growing his business quickly and not only is he kicking ass with his warehouse gym, but as a Coach, he is constantly evolving and growing, learning, making him self better, and in turn, making his athletes that much better.
Drop a comment on Matty’s Video.
Matty and I hope to see you in Virginia, click HERE for details.
Lead from the Front!
–Z–
PS: The night before our Virginia Underground Strength Coach Mentorship I will arrange a gathering (optional on your part) and we’ll talk training, business, life and of course, how to start living life according to your own rules.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, muscle building by on Feb 18th, 2010. 14 Comments. 
The Underground Creed
I understand that I am different yet will be given no special treatment here.
I will go through hell, and there will be no excuses, no turning back once I walk through these doors.
if I vomit, that is no excuse to stop my workout. I will get back up again …and again.
I will lift heavy and break records.
if it’s easy, I will go heavier.
I understand that this is a battle, I am here to dominate, nothing less. sitting down … lying down … these are not options.
I will earn my respect by getting bigger, stronger and faster.
I will outwork my opponents and do the extra work that no one ever told me to do.
I will train with fire in my eyes.
I will not back down.
I will be prepared for battle.
I am an Underground Beast!
After hearing stories last night about why some athletes are training in health clubs or their high school weight room and talking smack, I felt compelled to write our creed. The creed will certainly evolve into something deeper, and of course, you can add your own thoughts and comments below, I welcome them.
I also wrote This Article which you can and should check out NOW.
Lead from the Front,
–Z–
PS: Recommended Resources for fellow Undergrounders who Lead from the Front:
http://UndergroundStrengthManual.com
http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com
PPS: Live Events for fellow Undergrounders:
http://zacheven-esh.com/blog/live-events/
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Feb 12th, 2010. 4 Comments.
Since beginning training 21 years ago I have gone from somewhere around 110 lbs to 220 and at times I’ve hovered around 228 lbs.
My best weight is somewhere in the 204-208 lb range.
Back when I started, I was 13 years old, it was 2 weeks before 8th grade was over and I would train in my big bro’s room which housed a spin lock barbell and some spin lock dumbbells. Most of our weights were sand filled and I still recall the days of dumbbell benching with sand dropping in my mouth and eyes.
I educated myself mainly through the world of Joe Weider, back in 1989, he ruled it all and finding information outside of his hands was tough.
But…. what REALLY moved me and fired me up was Arnold’s Books, especially the black & white pics of him and his training partners in action.
There was something Very Raw & REAL about these photos, especially the guys who were Built like Brick Shit Houses, dense, thick, rugged muscles and moving BIG weights.
They were definitely part of the Anti Pussification Movement, perhaps they saw the future coming.
But, if I KNEW BETTER, it all would have revolved around the fundamentals and the basics. Back in the day, reading all those magazines, I was brainwashed into thinking I had to do isolation movements like side raises for the shoulders, leg extensions, leg curls, etc.
I trained at the local YMCA, a boat load of gyms throughout NJ, some of which were hardcore, others which were not.
Some of those gyms shut down, they put themselves out of business by trying to be something they were not.
I transitioned to training in the garage of my parents, a super tight space with equipment purchased from classified ads in the local newspaper.
No worries, as some of the strongest athletes in the world, especially outside the USA, train under horrible conditions yet have risen to the top and dominated their respective sports. Atmosphere and basics my friends, these will WIN.
With a low budget I was psyched to see CostCo had a 300 lb barbell set for only $99 Bones…..
Haven’t seen that same barbell set come around again, but, with a 300 lb barbell, a pair of 50 & 100 lb Hex Dumbbells, a utility bench, squat uprights and a flat bench my workouts took on a whole new world, as did my body.
Those dumbbells were great, coming straight outta Newark, NJ where I met some dude at a storage facility who had shut down a small gym.
There ya go, another one bites the dust. You can’t build a kick ass business if you have NO business knowledge or business systems in place.
Heck, running my gym part time, from 4 – 8 PM on Monday – Thursday and Friday we go from 4 – 7 PM, 19 hrs per week, the Gym brings in 6 figures. There is no reason why someone can’t take their business and earn at least a solid part time income doing what they love.
But, then again, training IS the business. You can’t kick ass unless you have the skills in training AND business. So, I ditched all the bodybuilding magazines and my old bodybuilding videos. It was a tough time for me, almost like I was dumping some chick I was in love with, ha ha
Although I was limited with information from what the strongest, biggest dudes did from back in the 
Golden Era, I copied whatever I could from them and brought it back to life. Those black and white pics of bodybuilders such as Dave Draper, Casey Viator, Bertil Fox, Arnold, Franco & Zane…. They were always rowing, benching, squatting, deadlifting, chins, dips….
That was The REAL shit!
It made sense to follow suit in my garage when I began rebelling against the Bull Shit information swamping the magazines and the internet.
The garage had low ceilings, so standing overhead work was out of the picture. But, heavy cleans worked those shoulders just fine.
Stones lined up my backyard, so I copied what I remember seeing in those OLD World’s Strongest Man competitions as well as using them for functional movements such as squats, presses, carries, rows and power cleans.
My days of bodybuilding and transitioning to power bodybuilding and now a mix of strongman training, gymnastics / bodyweight workouts, kettlebell training, powerlifting, olympic lifting and more….
I keep my mind open. Open to new ways for getting stronger, bigger, faster, leaner and meaner.
You need to keep your mind open as well. Those who know it all know Nothing. After 21 years I am learning more than ever and also hungrier than ever to learn more and evolve my training system. Our athletes are kicking ass and I’m feelin’ agile, mobile and hostile.
At age 34, I am not slowing down. I will continue to kick ass and will always be hungry. I remember the “older” guys in the gym always telling me one day I would slow down. They told me how they used to be like me. Well, news flash…. I NEVER SLOWED down and only got stronger and hungrier.
I am NOT like they are or were, nor am I like anyone else out there. Don’t let naysayers bring you down. Blaze your own trail and Lead from the Front.
Be Strong.
–Z–
PS: Drop a comment with your thoughts, looking forward!
Recommended Resources:
Underground Strength Coach Inner Circle
1 Day Underground Strength Coach Mentorship
2 Day Underground Strength Coach Mentorship
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jan 31st, 2010. 14 Comments.
Holy S**t! The Underground Strength Coach Inspiration Contest BLEW ME AWAY!
And by reading ALL the comments, I can see YOU were also inspired!
I am beyond amazed and inspired by the videos that were made.
I compiled the votes that came through my e mail (which was A LOT!), the Blog comments and the 4 people I had judging and man it was a SERIOUS fight for 1st place between BIg Dan and Chris the BEAST.
There was also some SERIOUS love for the Virginia Beach Beast, Matty Wichlinski. Matt contributed and is already a Expert Panelist at http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com as did Dominik Feischl from Austria, who is also on the Underground Expert Panel.
These two Beasts already have lifetime membership to Underground and did not need the “awards” to inspire them. They are Strength addicts, as we all are, and is what inspired them to take action. Hells Yea!
So, we decided to make a top 3.
This was calculated by the e mails, Blog comments and the 4 friends I had voting as well.
The fight for 1st place was CLOSE but one man edged out another!
Here are the Top 3 Winners and their videos are below.
1st: Chris “The Beast from the East”
2nd: BIG Dan Gibson
3rd: Matty “The Virginia Beach Beast” Wichlinski
Chris AND Dan are BOTH getting a FREE ride to come to a future Underground Strength Coach Mentorship held at my gym in NJ.
Chris will receive ALL the products listed on The Underground Store Page, BOTH physical and downoadable programs.
More info to come from Matt Wichlinski shortly…… 
I want to say, before posting the videos, that I am honored and humbled to see the awesome people that have taken part in this event.
Everyone showed awesome inspiration AND a humble demeanor.
Too many people in the fitness industry act like assholes and have a holier than tho attitude and it is refreshing to see awesome guys like yourself.
From here on out and every day forward we gotta continue to pay it forward!
Let’s take another look at The 3 Baddest Mother F**ers……
For The Top 3 BEASTS, please e mail me so we can arrange your prizes.
More to come shortly…
Lead from the Front!
Peace!
–Z–
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, muscle building by on Jan 17th, 2010. 19 Comments.
I receive countless e mails asking me how I get so much done without fail. How I balance my business with family life, lifting, answering e mails, vacations, and more?
I’m also starting a NEW business (On the DL for now) and just bought a new house.
I do my best to answer in the video below.
If you have good stuff to add about YOUR ‘Art of Living’, feel free to drop a line!
Peace
–Z–
PS: This is perhaps the BIGGEST success that comes from attending The Underground Strength Coach Certification & Mentorship…. Learning how you can create YOUR dream life. The Next Mentorship / Certification is HERE with only 3 spots left.
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Dec 29th, 2009. 10 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.
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.
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.
Freak Strength, Brute Strength, Functional Strength & Rugged Muscle – if you want ALL of these traits, then you better squat and dead lift.
It doesn’t have to be performed with a barbell either.
You can squat with a partner sitting on your shoulders. I spoke to the inmates at a BIG NJ prison and they told me they squat with partners sitting on their shoulders for 50 – 100 reps non stop!
You can deadlift BIG freaking stones or the back end of that old school volkswagon that hasn’t budged in years.
Might as well make use of that lil’ Bug now!
You can use a barbell or you can use Kettlebells.
You can use a sandbag or you can use a water (or Beer) filled keg.
It doesn’t matter….
What does matter is that squats and deadlifts, since the beginning of man kind, have been known to pack on muscle and strength unlike any other exercise out there.
But, do NOT overuse these movements.
You should rotate various training tools in and out of your cycle of squats and deadlifts to avoid overuse injuries.
I have been experimenting with various tools lately for squats and deadlifts and have been experiencing amazing results with this set up.
The tools I am using are the following:
- Kettlebells
- Sandbags
- Barbell
- Safety Squat Bar
- Thick Cambered Bar for Zercher Squats
- Kegs filled with water
- trap bar
And of course, bodyweight squats with jumps.
Check out the footage below of some deadlifts with a trap bar while barefoot and my buddy, Tyler English, a Natural Bodybuilder, squatting 315 for solid reps at The Underground Strength gym.
Anytime somebody sends me an e mail and asks me why they struggle to build muscle and become strong as hell, they are often missing some critical components.
1) They don’t push for increases in strength. They move around baby weights and confuse themselves with the fact that high reps are great for building muscle only when the weight is appreciable. If it’s 100 lbs and you’re gonna do a set of 20 rep squats with it, think again. Build up to squatting heavy weights for 3 – 6 reps FIRST.
2) They don’t squat or deadlift. They stick to crap like leg curls, leg extensions and machine exercises such as smith machine squats. NO good. Get away from machines and move your body as well as moving dead weights.
3) Their quality of food is poor at best. You need to consume lots of quality food. If you’re a vegetarian it’s a good idea to supplement with extra protein. If not, you need to consume fruits and veggies with at least 75% of your meals, preferably, every meal. NEVER skip breakfast, lunch or dinner and sneak in 2 or 3 small meals or snacks in between the Main 3 meals.
My son is only 15 months old and he just ate scrambled eggs, french toast and some watermelon and pineapple. I know high school kids who don’t eat that much in a day!
It’s time to enter reality and enter The Underground Strength World.
Get busy and don’t ask questions about why you aren’t strong or built like an ass kicking caveman until your squatting 315 x 5 and deadlifting 405 x 5.
Drop a comment or question below.
What are your thoughts on pakcing on functional muscle and rugged strength?
I wanna hear it!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: If you’re willing to EARN your strength and muscle and understand it takes work, learn from me and some of the strongest dudes in the world right HERE.
PPS: Wanna do what I do and start creating your own warehouse gym and get away from that job that you hate?
Join me at the next Underground Strength Coach Mentorship & Certification:
Nov. 14 with Zach ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/1DayCert.php
Dec. 5th with Elliott Hulse in Florida ==> http://zacheven-esh.com/Elliott.php
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Oct 20th, 2009. 23 Comments.
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