Last night I did a STRONG Life Podcast with my buddy, Joe DeSena, The Founder of The SPARTAN Race. One topic that came to mind was that of having a Purpose in your life. At this time of year, the weather is beautiful and the ocean calls me. The training moves from less inside my gym to more in my garage and anything outdoors, especially surfing, mountain biking and PLAYING. Essentially, I train by the seasons...... If I lived on the West Coast where the weather is warm year round I am sure … [Read more...]
Are You A Dangerous Man? SPARTAN Workouts & SPARTAN Mindset
To develop a Spartan Mindset, an indomitable spirit, you must challenge yourself through Spartan Workouts. You must train AND live in a way that keeps you dangerous, in your own mind and in the mind of others. This is a Lifestyle, a way of life, NOT just a Spartan workout where you push yourself for an hour and then never apply these lessons to your life. The ultimate mistake is living your entire life in comfort. In turn, you become something that must be avoided your entire life: It … [Read more...]
My Thoughts On Training As You “Get Older” & The BEST Workout Program
I was 27 years old and getting my car filled up on gas at the local gas station. It was almost Summer time and I was wearing shorts and a t shirt. A guy I knew saw me and said, "Holy shit, son, you're all ripped up. I used to look like that. Wait until you get my age, you won't have the time to train anymore. I used to be just like you......" Those were the famous words I began hearing on the regular, "Just like you....." Listen, things change as you get older, and whether they change for … [Read more...]
Know Thy Self & Live for the Iron
Soul lifting. Here we go, 2nd workout of the day. First workout involved dumbbell quick lifts, bodyweight training and plenty of soft tissue work and mobility. Sweatin' was easy since it was almost 100 degrees. Want a second workout but the experts cry a river and say, "NOOOOO!!!! Rest!!" I do what I feel and I feel what I do. My advice to you... Know Thy Self. Live for the iron and Live to train. Harley Davidson would dig us, NO doubt. I've been using LOTS of ladders lately with … [Read more...]
Back to My Roots, Part II – Backyard Beginnings
Check out these next two videos of stone training. The stones weren't crazy heavy so I cranked away with a circuit for strength endurance and conditioning. This is a great way to condense your workouts while still building strength, muscle and stamina. If you're a family man / woman, you know ALL about being limited on time. Check it.... I'll be back to mixing the various odd objects in my workouts with powerlifting once again. I miss the barbell TOO much. Deadlifting and squatting make me … [Read more...]
Are You a Man with NO Excuses?
There are TOO many excuse makers out there. Age tends to get the blame most often, or is it time that gets the blame? Check this video below of Laird Hamilton and then read on with me.... Laird Hamilton has not allowed age to limit him, and since following him as a kid, I have noticed that he has only become stronger and better at everything he does. NO Excuses. 35 is around the corner for me, and I have changed things up to keep me "under the bar" where as most men I run into make excuses … [Read more...]
Don’t Fear It, Chase It!
Sometimes we have new athletes training at The Underground Strength Gym and I see fear in their eyes. They are in a NEW World and have never been pushed to these new areas. I see the Fear in their eyes clear as day..... - FEAR against a heavier weight - FEAR against pushing into a pain zone - FEAR against the feeling of throwing up Let me give you some advice: Don't FEAR the pain, CHASE it! Stare it dead in the eyes and say "F**K YOU!!!" Go for broke when you lift, NO limits … [Read more...]
EXTRA Workout for the SOUL
Lots of questions always fill the in box with "How do you train, Zach" - so, this is me, on an "off" day, doing some extra work, training that won't get me sore but helps with conditioning and keeps me mentally sane as I have a tough time laying off from any form of exercise. On these extra days I simply train by feel. Remember, I'm a SOUL Lifter and now that I live by the beach my workouts will be returning back to a form similar to my younger days when me and my buddies would go on crazy … [Read more...]
The Soul Lifter, The Iron Man – Where are You?
I started lifting weights back when I was 13, it was 2 weeks before 8th grade was over. I used the weights my older bro had in his room down stairs on an old school Weider Bench. Some of those weights were sand filled and I still remember doing dumbbell benching and sand would fall in my eyes and mouth - ahhhhhhhhh, those were the days :) … [Read more...]