“Embrace The Grind”
“Embrace The Suck Factor“
Let me know your thoughts on this, drop a comment below.
Looking forward!
Stronger & Tougher Than Yesterday,
–Z–
PS: The Underground Inner Circle has been updated with training, business and mindset info.
You NEED a place to go where you blend mind and body. That’s what I do at The Underground Inner Circle. You’ll get my exact workouts, the workouts from Underground HQ, my mindset tactics and support from Underground ass kickers around the world.
The Underground brotherhood lives the code, teaching you how to kick ass in life AND lifting.
Click HERE for a 30 day trial if you’re not a member yet.
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Filed under Articles, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Mar 9th, 2012. 8 Comments. 
Mindset is THE KEY to kickin’ ass & takin’ names…. I can talk, talk, talk ALL about this, BUT, let me show you a few videos that will tell you EXACTLY what it takes to kick ass in LIFE…..
Special thanks to Chael Sonnen for speaking from the heart…
2012 is gonna reveal some SIC shit to Underground Strength Nation. Enjoy these videos and by ALL means, DO something with the info in these videos, it would be a crime NOT to….
Dan Gable speaks on training like Rocky, training old school and NOT allowing yourself to get comfortable….
Check the highlight below with some footage from Underground Trained, Anthony Ashnault…. Inspiring whether you wrestle or NOT!
Drop a comment with your thoughts on these “videos of the mind”…. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Live The Code, Underground 4 Life
Peace
–Z–
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Filed under Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, old school strength by on Jan 19th, 2012. 11 Comments.
Hey guys…. here’s an update for the TWO Winners of The December, 2011 Underground Strength Nation Inspiration Contest. The Two Winners get a lifetime membership to The Underground Inner Circle.
Sam Portland REALLY hit home with me and those who helped check the videos. He “gets it”. Listen to what he says about #LivingTheCode. He has NO excuses, he charges through discomfort and is making shit happen! I SEE the fire in his eyes and feel his passion from “Across The Pond”!
He drove his tractor tire down a highway to make shit happen! Isn’t that illegal??!! ha ha
Notice how he REinvests his income into making his business better and improving his knowledge.
As Sam says, “There’s NO limits.”
Thank YOU, Sam!
Check out Sal, working in his garage and yard to take care of his kids and show them how to have passion for health and strength!
Sal’s kids are tearing it up….. bodyweight….. the power wheel… a sandbag… and the technique is TIGHT!
I see his kids having fun training, no one yelling at them, just allowing them to enjoy the experience and fall in love with fitness. I can see Sal’s passion for strength with his books scattered on the floor, all types of equipment squeezed into that garage. I KNOW the feeling, you fall in love with training and you want to keep getting different strength toys to take things to the next level.
This was a VERY tough choice, there were MANY participants from overseas in various countries and English was not their first language. Many training compounds in garages, back yards, basements and MANY in freezing cold temps!
I am embedding ALL the participants below, this was amazing, had me choked up, on verge of tears and struck a VERY deep chord with me.
I am beyond shocked at how many videos were submitted and I will ALWAYS REMEMBER WHERE I STARTED…. My friend calls this “Boots on the ground”…. remember where you came from and always be humble 
Please check these videos, they will inspire you on your toughest days, because I know all too well, we ALL have them, NO matter how strong we are…..
As you can see, these videos are ALL very unique in their own way, everyone inspires me. I suggest you watch them all, clear your head, and listen to the stories of these men who rise above and have gotten comfortable being UNcomfortable.
Thank you, My Bruthas!
Peace! Underground for LIFE!
–Z–
PS: Seriously, this was VERY tough to choose. You guys are ALL f**ing awesome!!
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Filed under Announcements, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Dec 20th, 2011. 1 Comment.
I announced this contest to my FaceBook Fan page, HERE.
If you’re video is chosen as THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL Video, you will win a LIFETIME membership to The Underground Inner Circle… That is some SERIOUS shiz right there, KIDS!
Watch the video below and just drop the link to your Inspiration Video in the comments box!
PSYCHED to see WHY You Built It!
The deadline for this contest is Monday, December 19th! Don’t try and make it perfect, just DO it!
Simply drop a link to your you tube video in the comments section below.
Live the Code
–Z–
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Filed under Announcements, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Dec 15th, 2011. 44 Comments.
Just wanted to give you a quick update on the killa shizza that’s been getting dropped at The Underground Inner Circle. Or, skip reading this and crank a 30 day trial for one buck, click HERE to get busy.
- New Underground Movie of our athletes prepping for our Lift STRONG Fundraiser, training for wrestling, football and more. You’ll see how we combine plyometrics, jumps and powerlifting to ensure we are not only getting strong, but explosive AND athletic. You’ll also see how we use what I call “off set loading” to develop some SERIOUS strength, power and stabilty for athletics.
- Russian Wrestling Camp video footage 15 minutes in length showing uncut footage of how Russian Wrestlers train to become the longest standing dominant force in international wrestling. This video is what “sport specific training” is truly all about. Even if you don’t wrestle, this video will blow your mind regarding how we should ALL be training to develop animal type strength, speed, power & athleticism. This video itself is worth the membership investment alone.
- New Underground Strength Coaches added to our Expert Panel. Yep, we’ve added THREE new Coaches, ALL of whom have gone through The USC Certification, own their own warehouse gym and walk the talk. Ask these guys anything about training, nutrition and business. The forum is available 24-7 for you to take advantage of while connecting with like minded Undergrounders. NO egos or Assholes! BOOM!
- Underground Workout of the Month. As always, I break down the workout of the month for you via video and telling you exactly why and how we apply what we do at The Underground. You can take this workout and use it for yourself or your athletes. Program design is the magic, it’s where everything gets put together and allows you to get the maximum result from just the right amount of training. Optimal training is the focus rather than maximal training which often leads to injury and burn out.
There’s a TON more, every month, including regular forum posts with QnA, detailed workouts from my gym as well as other warehouse gyms, garages, basements and backyards around the world. Undergrounders around the world, sharing how they go and tear it up.
Click HERE for a 30 day test run for only one buck. BOOM!
Peace
–Z–
PS: The next USC Cert has been announced, check the info HERE to experience this life changing weekend.
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Filed under Announcements, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Jun 16th, 2011. 7 Comments.
Wanna be explosive, athletic, agile, mobile and hostile?
Step 1: Get STRONG as Hell. Strength is your foundation, you hear this all the time, and I would say this is almost entirely true. I have seen lots of guys, strong as hell, but also have little speed. So what gives?
Power is a blend of strength and athleticism. It’s the OPTIMAL blend, because nothing is perfect and everything is flawed, you are trying to get the best balance possible. Only chasing greater strength will not help you reach your goals of speed / power.
I’ve seen guys who can bench 315, squat 405 and deadlift 495 yet they are sloooooow. Cab’t get fast if you’re always grinding away heavy loads, carrying excess body fat and dismissing the power of using bodyweight movements for explosive training.
Step 2: Train athletic movements. Jumping and running are the critical two that you want to use, in ALL their forms. We jump in MANY ways and I’ll detail them HERE.
Step 3: Obtain optimal lean body mass. Simply put, if you’re gonna eat like shit you’ll be a fat bastard….AND you’ll be slow. The stronger and more explosive you are in relation to your bodyweight, the more likely your body will move with speed and precision. This is why we often hear Coaches talking about training the nervous system, in their efforts to avoid adding excess muscle (adding body weight) which forces the body to work harder to move.
Instead they are trying to improve the body’s ability to fire the muscles while maintaining the same body weight or becoming lighter through burning fat / losing unnecessary pounds.
Final Note: If you’re weak and have NO muscle and NO strength, do NOT be a fad follower and think you can use plyometrics blindly and without a solid physical base as plyos are an advanced method of training. (most of which are confused with movements that are NOT plyometric in nature).
Get strong as hell first, when the technique is there, move the weight and / or your body as fast as possible to promote speed and power development, eventually, begin using jumps of various kids, throwing / releasing objects as well as sprints of various types.
Sure, this is a very general “heads up” on developing power, the full article will be up shortly at The Underground Inner Circle.
Peace
–Z–
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Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on May 20th, 2011. 6 Comments.
This is a unique angle on my answer to a question that was posted on my Facebook Fan Page. Make sure you hit the “LIKE” button when you go there
Pardon my camera angle, gotta keep everything legal in The Dirty Jerzee.
Enjoy….
I find it a problem when an athlete can squat and deadlift 400 lbs, bench press 300 lbs yet gets crushed by a 36 lb kettlebell both physically AND mentally.
Kettlebells force you to Man UP.
Kettlebells improve athleticism.
Kettlebells improve mental toughness.
Kettlebells are ONE tool, not the end all be all answer, BUT, they are a critical part of the various tools I use to help prepare the athletes of The Underground.
In Strength,
–Z–
PS: Check ALL the bonuses I’m dropping when you become a member of The Underground, test drive it for 30 days right HERE, homie.
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Filed under Q & A, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on May 17th, 2011. 3 Comments.
If you’ve been reading my blog for some time you likely know I am a BIG fan of collecting vintage strength and muscle building products of all types, ranging from old school strength equipment to old school strength and muscle building books, magazines and strength training courses.
The information I obtain from the magazines dating back to the 40s, 50s and 60s is mind blowing to say the least, especially when compared to the majority of what the magazines publish nowadays. I’ve got an entire book shelf and book drawer stacked and piled high with vintage books, magazines and training courses.
I read them almost daily, and when I start reading them, I just can’t put the down…. I keep on reading and reading and there is some strange power that draws me into them and literally grabs a hold of me and doesn’t allow me to let go.
The powerful stories and training tips in these vintage articles give me goose bumps every time I read them and make me want to train old school on the spot. I’m sure you’ll feel the same when you set your eyes on these vintage articles.
I recently added a classic reprint from 1966 to The Underground Inner Circle, and I’ll be adding these regularly because there is nothing like these available on the internet. They are all tucked away on book shelves or in the garages of collectors of vintage strength & muscle building, like myself.
Inside the recent ’1966 Classic Reprint’ that I posted you’ll find an inside look at Polish Olympic Weightlifting, with stories about how these BEASTS train from a young age to prepare them for the heavier lifting they will endure when they enter their late teens and beyond.
You’ll see which athletic event the Polish lifters are trained in exclusively as youngsters and which olympic lifts they focus on as they get more mature.
The article on these Polish weightlifters is an eye opener, especially considering it was published in 1966 and we’re NOT doing these things in the states TODAY, some 40 + years later we are STILL behind the times??!!
In addition, I found part of an article series that is ironically a popular book today – one that REALLY digs deep into the heart & soul of what it takes to pack on brute strength and rugged muscle. This article is second to none and you just don’t find this on the web anymore 
Of course, the lessons revealed in this classic reprint require AND emphasize hard work, so if you think some short cuts and secrets of cheating will be revealed, well, my friend, you are WRONG.
Just like you can’t cheat in life and get away with it, you also can’t cheat in lifting and expect anything in return.
The old school strength articles and the classic reprints bring lifting back to where it is supposed to be. None of this “feel the burn” and “get the pump” bull shit.
Instead, they talk about eating like a man, squatting more than your Grandma to jack up your legs, NOT fearing heavy poundages, basic free weight routines for building muscle AND strength…..
Many of these routines are the perfect fit for the garage or backyard lifter, with NO fancy equipment required, just an undying desire to challenge your mind and body and push yourself to new heights in improving your strength and muscle gaining.
I’m bringing back the days of old school strength and muscle building because this stuff can’t sit on book shelves and collect dust. If there are hardcore lifters looking to learn then I’m willing to share.
You can check the latest Underground Classic Reprint article HERE.
In Strength,
–Z–
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Filed under Announcements, Kick Ass Life, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Apr 5th, 2011. 6 Comments.
Our Underground T Shirts are selling out, FAST! I didn’t think they would sell this FAST but they are. As of last night, only 51 Underground T Shirts were left! Undergrounders from around the world have ordered their t shirt, a good many of them ordered BOTH the grey AND black tees!!
Here’s what we’re gonna do….. We’re gonna crank a lil’ contest!
This is your opportunity to WIN, for FREE, BOTH the Grey AND Black Underground T Shirts! I’m even gonna throw in some extra goodies (some of my products for good measure
Here are the “EXTRA” Goodies for the Winner who inspires the most through his / her video:
- Underground Inner Circle Membership (10 years at http://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com!!)
- Full Day to train with the athletes at The Underground Strength Gym
Here’s How You Can WIN…..
1. Create an inspirational video of you training like an Underground Gladiator: Strongman, Odd Objects, Powerlifting, Old School Bodybuilding, Gymnastics, Parkour…… ANYTHING goes if it kicks ass, you KNOW how we roll. It can be any length you want, NO rules.
Be Creative! Show us your personal side, your aggressive training side, where your from and why you connect to training Underground spiritually and physically. Don’t hold back, half ass effort NEVER results in success!
2. Post your video on you tube, title it ‘Underground Strength T Shirt __________’ (fill in the blanks on your own via your own creativity). This common theme and title will help link all your videos together for easy finding and inspiration for yourself and other Undergrounders around the world.
3. Once your video is up, post a comment under this Blog Post & embed or link your you tube video. Do NOT e mail it to me as it will get lost in e mail land! If embedding your video doesn’t work, just post a you tube link and I’ll fix it from there
4. The Due Date for the Videos is next Friday, December 10th, 12 Noon EST. I will choose the winner on Monday, December 13th.
If you don’t have a you tube account, go to http://YouTube.com and create an account, it’s easy and free.
You’ve got NO time to waste, go ahead and get cranking!
Looking forward to seeing everyone’s Underground Videos!!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Remember, dig deep, inspire us and entertain us with your video.
Most importantly, be YOURSELF. I wanna hear your story and I am psyched for this. Good Luck!!!
This is your chance to WIN Underground T Shirts, Underground Inner Circle Membership for 10 years and a chance to hang at my gym and train with us!
Recommended Resources:
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Filed under Announcements, Kick Ass Life, Success by on Dec 3rd, 2010. 96 Comments.
When I first heard about Density Workouts is when Coach Ethan Reeve was describing his very own workouts from when he was a college wrestler back in the 70s. He would crank intense workouts for 20 minutes, going for maximum rounds.
The workouts would give an ass whoopin’ to ALL of us.
The Rutgers Wrestling Team is learning ALL about these Density Workouts as we crank many of our workouts based on time. It forces you to push the pace, minimize rest and in turn, mental toughness improves along with strength endurance, power endurance and muscle density.
No wimps allowed.
Below, I cranked 10 minutes of speed benching combined with mixed pulling, much of which was rope pull ups to improve grip strength.
With Density work you do not have to perform an entire workout based on time.
It can be portions of the workout.
You choose. Get UNDER the bar, in the trenches, live and learn.
Lead from the FRONT
–Z–
PS: I’ll be doing Part II of The Coach Reeve Audio Interview for The Underground Inner Circle this week.
Don’t miss it!
Recommended Resources:
Underground Strength System / Coach Ethan Reeve Audio Interrogation
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Filed under Articles, Strength Building, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 28th, 2010. 10 Comments.
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