Not EVERY post on this Blog will be about lifting. I don’t think lifting is the end all be all, perhaps you’ve heard me use the phrase, ‘Kick Ass in Life AND Lifting’? If not, read the book HERE!
Here’s a bit of my day and how things are rolling for me lately…
I’ve had a slam packed day and normally I do more work, but today was different. Many ask me how I get so much done and still have so much passion and energy on top of such a hectic schedule.
Well, # 1, I focus on my passion, and that is my family, living life to the fullest and moving my body in any way, shape or form.
My alarm was set for 5:30 AM but I woke at 6:30 instead. I went to bed after midnight so I wanted to get 6 hrs of sleep. Most days I am up before 6 AM, especially when the weather is nice out.
I like to get up early, not just because it’s quiet and allows me to get work done, but because I know many others do NOT wake early and I LIKE doing what others won’t do.
I like to be different and ahead of the pack. Being a conformist or part of the pack always made me feel out of place, ironically.
Fired up my only cup of coffee for the day and then I cranked a bit of work on the internets before my wife and kids woke up, then I make breakfast for the family.
Egg omelets, french toast, chocolate chip pancakes… you name it, I make it. Today was pancakes and egg omelets.
Then, it was off to tennis in the AM with my daughter and my son came to watch and run around like a wild boy does 
Afterwards, my son demanded a trip to the bagel deli, so we went! ha ha
The kid is GROWING, what can I say!
After brunch with Ethan, I did a lil’ work on the internets and then got some new wheels on my skateboard.
I’m doing LOTS of stuff that I used to do as a kid and living by the beach is bringing me back to those good ol’ days of playing all day and night.
I drove 45 minutes north and spent time chatting with my homeboy, Jonny Hinds, inventor of The Power Wheel.
We spoke about a TON of stuff, as we always do:
- bodyweight training (we ALWAYS get fired up talking training)
- life
- business
- skate boarding
- NYC & life in the city of Chicago
- jiu jitsu training now vs BJJ in the past
- the importance of recovery
- Rickson Gracie
- The Bartendaz
….and planned a mini hang out for a few days now that I fly
We always end up chatting about our passions and bodyweight training always brings inspiration, so, check out some of the guys we we were talking about who inspired the heck out of us!!
I got up north and shopped for the final prizes for the http://LiftSTRONG2011.com benefit. From there, it was time for Toys R Us.
Then, I shopped for birthday gifts for Ethan, he turns 3 this Sunday! I am psyched and wanted to get him tons of awesome gifts. The reactions he has when opening presents and tearing off wrapping paper is priceless!!!
I also bought my daughter a gift, I can’t let her watch Ethan unwrap gifts without her getting a gift as well
I finished shopping and flew over to open The Underground and trained athletes from 4 – 6 pm. We tore it up with bodyweight, dumbbells and strongman training.
After 6 pm crew was done training, off I went, food shopping for Lift STRONG.
I bought 8 hamburgers and 50 hot dogs amongst other things. These Dudes better be
HUNGRY! I dropped the food off at my parents pad since they still live up north near my gym.
I had a nice home cooked meal from my Mom, chicken and brown rice, then drove home to crank some final work. I coulda called it a day but shit needs to get done and most peeps would quit, I ain’t most peeps.
I went through a lot of blog comments and answered them and was really humbled by all the kind words people are saying on the blog.
Is every day this hectic?
Heck NO.
My days are usually very carefully planned, by the hour, broken down. Organized and committed to getting things done! Today was a wild day and I also need them here and again to get away from work, work, work.
After 2 days of heavy lifting, this was a rest day. A well deserved rest day! Train hard = Rest Hard!
I got time to spend with my kids and that really matters most to me. Time to hit the bed and get ready for a strong day tomorrow.
Question for YOU: What else do you want to see from me on my blog? Do you want me creating a specific product, training or non training? Please describe in the comments section, thanks!
Peace
–Z–
PS: By the way, I just opened my USC Cert up, back in NJ again
Not all attendees are coaches, many attend for personal growth.
Many are looking for a weekend to challenge them both emotionally and physically.
They want to experience a life changing weekend that they will NEVER forget, a weekend that will solidify them as an Underground Strength Coach.
I am psyched for this cert, especially after traveling away from home, I KNOW the energy is always at it’s best when I’m home, at Underground HQ, kicking ass and taking names with YOU.
Sign up and be ready for a life changing experience:
==> http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Q & A, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Jun 23rd, 2011. 13 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.
I’m droppin’ some vids from my new web site, Get Wrestling Strength, but I bet you can learn a thing or two about training regardless of whether or not you wrestle.
We walk around on our feet ALL freakin’ day, why not use the hands instead?
It’s been a staple of my own training and how I train my athletes for MANY years now.
It improves grip strength, overall upper body strength, shoulder stability and trunk / ab strength & stability.
Look at Gymnasts, they perform countless drills with regular pressure on their hands and their physiques and ability to move with grace and power simply can NOT be argued with!
Think about how Gorillas live and “train”. Unlimited fruits and veggies, constant pulling, pushing of their own bodyweight and of course, wrestling one another.
I’m not saying you have to wrestle, BUT, partner bodyweight training can be extremely effective, which is what wrestling actually becomes. You are always pushing, pulling and lifting your opponent which is the same as pushing, pulling and performing the squat, deadlift and power clean movements.
The MAIN difference being you’re hoisting an awkward, angry aggressive person instead of a “weight” that doesn’t fight back.
My buddy, Jonny Hinds, has inspired me beyond words, and his strength, speed and conditioning speaks volumes for itself.
When I first heard about Jonny, it was through the words of some of the best MMA and BJJ guys in the world, like Rickson Gracie! They spoke of some guy who had the strength of a Silver Back and conditioning that never quit.
Well, Jonny was doin’ a boat load of hand walking on his Power Wheel and he also would go to the beach in Venice, Ca. where there were traveling rings to swing and train on, ropes to climb and various gymanstics type bars set up for hand walking.
He was strong as hell and when a man like Rickson Gracie talks someone up, you KNOW you need to pay attention and listen!
Start thinking about how you can change up your training regime to train more like an Animal.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can your nutrition change?
- Can your training tools change?
- Do you have to train at the gym?
- Can you train outdoors at a playground or on the trails in the middle of nowhere!?!?
- Can you lift stones instead of barbells and dumbbells.
- Can you consume more fruits and veggies?
- Can you perform more hand walking movements?
Don’t allow yourself to settle into a comfort zone of training the same way over and over, day in and day out.
Train Like a Gorilla, Eat Like a Gorilla.
Get Busy.
Lead from the FRONT!
–Z–
Recommended Resources:
June Underground Strength Coach Certification
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on May 20th, 2010. 10 Comments.
12 Coaches hit The Underground last week to become Certified Underground Strength Coaches.
They were highly motivated, strong as hell and BIG Time dedicated.
We hit 2 workouts every day, skipped lunch on Day 2 with NO complaints and they were roarin’ for more.
Sounds tough? Not if you love to train and live and breathe this stuff!
Look how much fun we had, check the Vids:
Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on May 5th, 2010. 12 Comments.
Lots of people often ask for my recommendation on how to set up a home gym, especially when limited on space, funds and time.
Well, as you can see, I just cranked out some nasty Sandbag Complexes with The Underground Sandbag.
Being in a new home myself AND not being close to my gym I’ll be setting up a nasty corner of Underground Equipment by simply using a Russian Kettlebell and The Underground Sandbag.
In my office you’ll find a Power Wheel, Jump Stretch Band and some Grip Training Devices.
With fresh air and the beach near by I will also by hitting more running and mountain bike riding. My runs will be on the streets, the sand and the trails of the nearby state parks which are HUGE and offer plenty of odd objects for lifting as I make my way through the trails.
I love training with free weights, but, with my lack of space I’ll be forgoing any traditional home gym equipment here and will save my powerlifting for my time at The Underground Strength Gym in Edison, NJ.
When you get a chance, try the sandbag complex I cranked in the video above.
1A) Sandbag High Pulls
1B) Sandbag Bent Over Row
1C) Sandbag Zercher Squats
1D) Sandbag Back Squats
1E) Sandbag Reverse Lunges
1F) Sandbag Good Morning
Before I attacked the sandbag complex I cranked a bunch of reps of the clean, press & squat combo.
Give it a shot yourself and get the bucket ready!
Lead from the Front!
–Z–
PS: Sandbags are available at http://UndergroundSandbag.com or by clicking HERE
PPS: Every day I wake up and get to do what I love, if you want to fast track yourself to running a gym or being a Strength Coach, then meet me HERE.
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Mar 8th, 2010. 6 Comments.
A few years back i was introduced to Jonny Hinds, owner & creator of The Monkey Bar Gym.
Pat Miletich and I were chatting by phone and told me I need to connect w/Jonny. Pat was a former UFC champion and has coached countless greats to the top of their game in the world of MMA.
Jonny and I connected right away and he blew me away with his knowledge and wisdom of physical culture.
We just spoke on the phone literally 15 minutes ago as he cruised around Santa Monica Beach on his bike, and we spoke about building “Natural” type gymnasiums with all types of climbing apparatuses, various surfaces for running, crawling, jumping and more.
I’ve always said, if I didn’t live in the Dirty Jerzee and I was located in a year round warm weather location, I would NOT own a gym with a roof on my head.
It would be a mix of a playground and old school muscle beach…..with a fence around it to keep the normal people on the “outside”
You see, through my experience, I have met MANY athletes who were strong but lacked athleticism and power.
They could bench 315 but they would vomit after flipping a 400 lb tire a few reps.
They could box squat 400 + lbs but couldn’t drag a sled, couldn’t sprint and couldn’t jump.
At my gym we have guys who weigh 250 lbs cranking handstand push ups, rope climbing, jumping on top of tractor tires 36 + inches in addition to their ability to squat, bench and deadlift.
But, wanna know what REALLY gets my athletes souped up and gives em’ goosebumps?
They recall the days of training when I did NOT own a warehouse gym.
They recall the rope climbing in the backyard, swinging sledge hammers, sprinting hills, jumping on / off picnic tables and walking on their hands across 200′ of grass!
They laugh at the incoming athletes who think “today’s workout” was brutal.
So, if you’re not training like an animal now, when will you begin?
Make it Happen!
–Coach Z–
PS: LOTS of e mails regarding 2 things have been coming through: Lost Secrets of Strength and The USC Certification.
Yes, we have a few copies left of Lost Secrets of Strength HERE
Yes, space is available for both September and October USC Certifications HERE.
PPS: Wanna train like an Animal? Get yourself a pair of Kettlebells HERE – carry em’, throw em’, swing em’, press, row and snatch em’! These will send your training into a whole new world! Get your Kettlebells HERE.
Filed under Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Aug 25th, 2009. 7 Comments.
Just like anyone else, I get fired up sometimes.
My best therapy is to kill it with the weights, doesn’t matter what kind of weights, I’ll take anything I cna get my hands on and kill it.
This is me, it’s easy to not show this stuff, but that’s not real, and you need to see who I am, and like everyone, I have good days and bad days.
The Underground Strength Gym straightens my mind, clears things up and brings me back to a good place.
If you are at work or the kids are around, I highly reccomend muting the speakers.
If you’re easily offended, haaaaaaa, just wait till you see the next Underground Strength Show!
The infamous cheat curl – this has nothing to do with jacking up the guns kids, it’ all about upper body power.
Richard Sorin, The Grip King motivated me to do this.
In addition, when I was in high school, I remember seeing the Football team killing these, they were state champs 2 of the years I was in high school.
In the next vid, prepare yourself, the training gets uglier and the language gets worsed.
Kill it,
–Coach Z–
PS: The Grip King dishes out some un-f**ing-real old school strength secrets when I interviewed him for http://RussianLionFitness.com
PPS: 2 New Seminars are Open:
1) The Underground Strength Coach Certification: –> http://zacheven-esh.com/coaching.php
2) Underground Strength Meets Powerlifting –> http://combatgrappler.com/aj-zach.html
Filed under Announcements, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Dec 8th, 2008. 3 Comments.
Many years ago i found my way to Steve Maxwell’s web site. It was quite interesting, to see this renegade physical culturist creating his own style of training, following no rules, using what he had learned through decades of the martial arts and mastering his own body for training.
There were photos of him training with a pair of homemade kettlebells, they were silver and looked deadly! He was performing a bridge while pressing these two kettlebells.
I finally met Steve two years ago at the Ryan Lee Boot Camp and we chatted about grip training and grip strength, rope climbing and using kettlebells.
I was blown away to say the least.
Just yesterday, I shared the stage with Steve, as we co presented the Gladiator Seminar, which went from 10 AM – 6 PM with just a few short breaks for snacking and fluids. Want an amazing day it was and what an honor to learn from such an expert.
I was excited that I was able to teach Steve some new stuff! Who woulda known!
Lucky for you, we recorded every second, and that means this will be available for you to watch at home soon enough. I believe it came out to 7 or 8 tapes! That’s a boat load of info, and all the info was Steve and I cutting through the hype, showing ONLY what works, only what we use, no filler and no fluff.
After training with Steve, I am psyched even more so to hit the bodyweight training. I’ll be tearing up my backyard tonight with my power wheel and kettlebells.
Stay tuned for more stories from the Underground!
Kill it!
-Coach Z-
PS - I’ll be announcing the next USC cert soon. It’s coming, so be ready! Serious inquiries only, no cry babies, no whiners….I’m getting sick of those people
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Success by on Jul 13th, 2008. Comment.
On my one hand, I can count those who have REALLY influenced me in training AND in life.
Without hesitation, Jonny Hinds is one of those people. I connected with Jon maybe 2 or 3 years ago by phone, after Pat Miletich, the MMA Coach and former UFC Champion, sent me his way.
I would spend over an hour on the phone talking about physical culture and nutrition every time we chatted. We would philosophize about life and exchange cool training and life stories and experiences, and, I’ll admit, Jonny has many more cooler stories than I do ha ha
You have probably also seen me promote very few things that are not my own creations. The equipment Jonny has developed blows my mind and kick ass physically as well as spiritually. Sounds crazy, but if you’ve done bodyweight training you understand that it heals the mind AND body, something I am BIG on.
Two of my favorite tools are his kettlebells and the power wheel, although I am also quite the avid fan of his various weighted jump ropes (which I have ALL of them), the jungle gym and the power push up.
The conversation you are about to hear is jam packed with golden nuggets of awesome strength and conditioning information. You’ll love it. From bodyweight training, healing your injuries through Eischen’s Yoga, REAL core training, the NFL combine and tons more.
Please let others know about this Blog and this audio so we can spread the powerful info unleashed in this audio interrogation with my homeboy, Jonny Hinds. Enjoy!
Click HERE for the Jonny Hinds Podcast!
In Strength,
–Coach Z–
P.S. – Get the power wheel HERE. I have spoken about the powers of hand walking, and the incredible core and ab training you can get from this awesome training tool. You will love it when you get it, I know it!
P.P.S. – Check out all of Jon’s products HERE.
Just got an e mail earlier today asking about my thoughts regarding the Lifeline Kettlebells and The Power Wheel.
First off, I will never promo something I do not believe in, or something that you can not benefit from.
I have a few of the Lifeline K-bells and wish I had these earlier. They freaking rock. They do not have a glossy finish, they fit perfectly and the price is right.
The power wheel is a regular in my own workouts as well as our athletes. Lots of handwalks and roll outs, and some of our advanced guys hit supersets of pike ups and leg curls, plyo push ups into hand walks and one beast does standing roll outs!! Ouch!
I have been hitting the power wheel in between most of my sets of big lifts to add volume to my ab training. My abs feel tighter and stronger than ever! This is seriously the most awesome training tool one can use for the abs. Don’t believe me? Oh well, your loss Keep doing sit ups for 500 reps.
I usually hit the kneeling power wheel for reps in the 5 – 8 range when performing sets throughout the workout due to all the volume. Your abs will be feeling it big time….especially the next day, so start off slowly on these as most people are not used to the great amount of tension the power wheel produces on the abs.
I have many, many, many K-bells from countless companies. I don’t want to talk down on any company, but simply stated, the Lifeline K-bells are getting my top reccomendation.
You will also see a short audio I have just done interrogating Jim Wendler, where we chat about the release of his upcoming training manual which is an awesome manual, especially for busy guys, or, point blank, anyone who wants to get strong! I have received a preview copy and loved it. It has brought me to a new light, especially since I am busier than ever before.
Until the next time,
Stay strong!
–Z–
PS – Want the Lifeline Kettlebells? Click HERE.
PPS – Want the Power Wheel? Click HERE.
Filed under Announcements, Articles, Q & A, Zach's Workouts by on Jun 14th, 2008. Comment.
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