In the early 2000s when I began Underground Strength, it was truly "Underground". At the time, the "in thing" was training on one leg, on a bosu ball or physio ball. You had to use a medicine ball, rotating, half kneeling and doing what many today consider "circus tricks". That was when "functional training" became the buzz word along with the infamous "core training". Many of the "popular" Coaches laughed at me and made jokes. During an interview one day I remember saying, "I would put my … [Read more...]
A Letter to My YOUNGER (Athlete) Self With 17 Strength Training & Life Tips
This letter isn't about holding on to the past or living in the past. Knowing and learning from mistakes is crucial. The opportunity to share with others to help them achieve more Success, to avoid my mistakes & to be inspired to improve themselves is the goal. It's a simple hope that a middle or high school athletes comes across this post, sees my mistakes, my tips on life and lifting and ultimately, puts these tips to use. Heck, I hope a college athlete sees this. Maybe a college … [Read more...]
“Might As Well Be A Savage” & Thoughts On “Training For Life”
One thing you'll notice about this generation of bodybuilders, LEOs and even athletes..... They are NOT built with that look of strength. They are too concerned with details that don't matter. They want the perfect training program where everything looks perfect. Side raises instead of Military Press. Glute Med isolation instead of SQUATS. Pec Deck instead of Weighted Dips. I recall seeing State Troopers who were 6 ft plus on the regular and looking like they could destroy you with … [Read more...]
Live AND Lift Like A Warrior
Above, Saturday Night Post Underground Strength Conference, 10 PM lift session @ The Underground Strength Gym of Edison, NJ. Last weekend I learned some serious lessons in both life AND lifting. The Underground Strength Conference & the first graduating class of Warrior University in one weekend was INTENSE emotionally AND physically. I want you to Learn from these lessons that I took away from that amazing weekend. Below, I share my lessons so you can also see how you can AND should … [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...]
A Simple Tip for Developing Serious Strength
If you construct a solid strength and muscle building program then you are Golden. Well, not entirely. We have recovery, mobility, flexibility and plenty other lil' things to take care of. Regardless, if you;re like me, you're addicted to being STRONG. Watch this Video First, then read the article to fully understand what I mean bruddahs and sistas: You notice all the different carries we did here at THE END of our workout. Inside our athletes were deadlifting and tearing into Heavy … [Read more...]
My Biggest Bodybuilding Mistakes
Flip flops or old school Chuck taylors, deep dish York barbell plates, wooden floors, kick ass training partners and a kick ass atmosphere. What else did they need!?!? We're ALL "Bodybuilders" - like it or hate it, that's the truth. We're building our body and whoever you are reading this, you are simply using your own methods to make it look and perform the way you want it to. I've been bodybuilding since age 13 and I have made a shit ton of mistakes. Many of which cost me today. I am … [Read more...]
Episode # 37: Drive by workout & my story of change.
What did I di after my garage sale adventure (still more to come!)? Check it out below.... Now...a quick note to you, but, on a serious note! I just returned from Ryan Lee's Boot Camp, and, exactly 2 years ago, while checking out, I ran into a guy named Dax Moy while checking out of the hotel. He was a jacked up dude, 6'2" a solid 230. We connected via email that very same week and I learned of his military experience as a commando, his insane training and his evolution from Military … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Show # 15 – REAL Man Muscle Building Trip
I was supposed to wait for this vid, but you guys gotta see this, it's too freakin' funny and too freakin' cool! If you're wondering what I'm talking about with The REAL Man Muscle Building Course, you're gonna have ti wait for the public release, unless you're a member of The Underground. Kill it! --Coach Z-- PS - If you want to stay up to date on what we do don't forget to sign up for the e journal. PPS - Like the shows? Feel free to click on the links below to share it with others, … [Read more...]
Off he goes
One of my athletes is heading off to Pa. for a good month for some family vacation time. They have a place "in the woods", so he was very worried about missing his workouts. I told him about what we used to do in my back yard, and how powerful the underground strength training was when we first began, it was truly shocking! We had two tree logs, a climbing rope, some stones, a few sledge hammers and that's it! Our wrestlers began with a 10 minute circuit of max rounds of this workout: 1) log … [Read more...]