Do what you feel & feel what you do.
I was definitely feelin’ the urge to move heavy objects on this day. Kettlebells have been feeling GREAT and have helped my shoulder feel 100 X better!
Almost every workout has some form of windmills or bent pressing involved, whether it be the warm up OR the workout, I work those Kettlebells!
My focus on Bodyweight Strength is on a whole new level lately, I’m pushing hard to get the muscle ups down, on the bar AND rings. Back when I had college gymnastics I was banging bar muscle ups with ease, that was when I was 210 lbs or so but nowhere near as powerful as I am today, so I need to rework that technique and learn MORE.
I have also been studying lots of the Bodyweight Masters on video, like the crew below, and it’s NOT just about WHAT they do, it’s how they organize their training, i.e. program design.
Can BIG guys move? BIG guys can’t have excuses for being unable to move their body…..
If you’re not attacking the Bodyweight Training, get started HERE and eliminate the excuses.
Question for YOU: Are you a Bodyweight BEAST? If so, drop a comment with your Top 3 Bodyweight Training Tips! Looking forward!
Peace
–Z–
PS: A large portion of my USC Cert will be focused on Bodyweight training. Bodyweight training is your foundation and offers NO limits. In addition, you don’t need a gym to apply and use the power of bodyweight training to grow your body AND your business.
Sign Up HERE for a life changing weekend! BOOM!
Here is some footage from one of my favorite USC Certs, check em’. Oh…. lemme know if you can spot “The Bartenda” in this video…..
Sign Up HERE for a life changing weekend! BOOM!
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Business, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 25th, 2011. 5 Comments. 
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
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Filed under Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Q & A, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on Jun 23rd, 2011. 13 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.
AT my recent USC Cert, GR Hoff recorded some training going down at The Underground and put together a lil’ highlight to motivate his athletes.
My next USC Cert is around the corner in Ft Lauderdale, so if you’re in Florida it’s time to step up and make it happen! BOOM, sign up HERE if you’re ready to turn your passion into profit and finally start doing what you love to do, there’s no better feeling than doing what you love.
You’ll also see some of my wrestlers in action, just a small taste of what we do.
Check it:
Drop a comment with your questions and I’ll answer.
In Strength,
–Z–
PS: Look at the awesome feedback from all the participants that have come through my USC Cert by clicking HERE
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Filed under Announcements, Calendar, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on May 25th, 2011. 2 Comments.
Just a lil’ taste of what went down last weekend in Austin, TX, perhaps one of my favorite places I’ve ever been to, and not just because the town is so kick ass, but because the friendships I’ve built there are more like brotherhood and family.
BIG thanks to my homie, Jeremy Thiel, for making this happen.
One year ago JT brought 12 of his Coaches to NJ for a specialty USC Cert, where the entire 2 days were dedicated towards their needs and likings. His crew was in such kick ass shape that we went through twice as much info and training as any other group.
The Red & Black Gym was created immediately after JT & his crew returned home from NJ, and, let me tell you, this gym is Underground 110%. He took FAST action & now he has one of the nastiest, Underground gyms I’ve ever stepped foot in.
This crew was NO different. Must be something in the ATX water, and lemme tell you, the girls from Austin are f**ing LEGIT! These girls climb rope, crank pull ups, handstands, jumps, tire flips and MORE like NObody’s BIZ-ness!
This was also the first time I had been on a plane in some 5 or 6 years. You can see what happened to me about 3 years ago….. It was a stressful time for me, VERY stressful.
I can certainly say I’m a lucky guy, but I won’t bull shit you.
I MADE my own luck, I hunted and killed my prey, I blasted through brick walls and sprinted up mountains. Many tried to stop me, many hated on me.
I still said F**K it and stuck to the MOST important things in life:
1) Family
2) Friends
3) Integrity
4) Work Ethic
The next USC Cert is in Ft Lauderdale, bring your A Game because that’s the ONLY game I accept!
The weekend to change your life is ahead, yours for the taking, or, let opportunity pass you by.
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Making your own luck isn’t easy, every overnight success story has a 10 year history. Remember, you’re either the hunter or the hunted, you decide.
Hunters Click HERE
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Filed under Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts by on May 3rd, 2011. 5 Comments.
I just got home after a kick ass weekend in Austin, TX.
Austin is a cool as hell town, reminds me of a blend between my hometown and San Diego. The people are cool as hell, the cabbies are slower AND more laid back than Spicoli from ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and the girls are straight up Ass Kickers – I’ve never had such fit and powerful girls come through my cert like the girls of Austin (this is the 2nd time as they’ve been to NJ & now Austin).
I cranked my USC Cert to a sold out crew at one helluva gym and man did we light it up! Stay tuned for some highlight video footage.
I arrived Friday night for what was called ‘Project Mayhem’ – there must have been about 60 guys, ALL dressed in black going full out, tearing up the gym and every ounce of the parking lot with:
- truck pushing and truck pulling with a thick rope
- Keg Lifting, ground to overhead
- Pull Ups & Sandbag Carries
- 1RM Deadlifts
- Tire Flips
After these guys went through hell and back they tore up a meal fit for Gladiators along with plenty of beer to wash down all their well earned food. This training was one of the most intense workouts I’ve ever witnessed, coupled with their camaraderie I was seriously blown away with motivation & inspiration.
During our weekend USC Cert, many preconceived notions were laid to rest as many people think that the cert is all about choosing sides, aka, using one style and not another. Strongman only training.
Nothing could be further form the truth as we spent a large portion of time doing what I call “Animal Training” – it opened up everyone’s mind as to how we can train for power, speed, strength, athleticism and most importantly, optimal health.
Makes no sense to train with a certain style if it leaves you banged up and broken down.
Must it be strongman and odd objects vs powerlifting?
Or….
Perhaps it is bodyweight only, or kettlebells only.
NO…. Eventually, training with one style, for the majority, will lead to boredom, burn out, overuse injuries and lack of progress. Notice I said “for the majority” as there are always the rare few. There are few who make non stop progress with bodyweight only or kettlebells only, the men below are bodyweight only BEASTS, they are a rare few, certainly not the majority.
I do what works for me and apply the same principles when training my athletes. Not every athlete I train benefits from heavy deads or heavy squats, sounds strange, but the bottom line is getting results and as I spoke about in my last blog post HERE, some exercises can be your enemy and another man’s best friend.
We do, however, train like animals, the USC Coaches who just finished this weekend’s cert will attest to that.
We used bodyweight training through jump training, all types of climbing drills, animal training, plyometrics, jump training and gymnastics based training.
We tore apart the Sandbag training WAY beyond the basics and used various complexes and unique forms of “loaded conditioning”.
Yes, we used powerlifting AND strongman as well.
I take what works and remove what doesn’t work, as should you. It’s a form of ART, learning what works for you and those you train.
For my own personal workouts, it means working hard on certain things, easier on others. Easy on the powerlifts, hard on the animal training.
If you’re over 30 years of age you will really need to begin paying close attention to the way your body responds to all types of training AND nutrition.
Done for me are the days of aches, pains, injuries and training that simply crushes the body. If it interferes with my ability to play with my kids and live a pain free life then I am kicking it to the curb.
Optimal training, NOT maximal training, that is THE ticket. Learn it and Love it.
Stay tuned, the video footage I’m gonna set you up with from last weekend’s USC Cert is gonna be SIC.
Till then, pick up your 2 FREE gifts when you sign up at The USC Inner Circle, 30 day trial HERE.
Be an action taker and a leader.
Blaze a trail, take action and storm through brick walls.
Lazy peeps have no room here, there is no middle ground.
You’re either in or you’re in the way.
And now you know.
Peace.
–Z–
PS: See you on the other side, you will dig your 2 FREE gifts, get em’ NOW:
==> 30 Day UIC Trial
PPS: I’m adding three new Coaches to The UIC Expert Panel
TWO of these guys attended the http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com
and they are the real deal.
The other has been through my biz courses and tore up some nasty workouts at my Underground Strength Gym along with me.
He’s the REAL deal, strong as hell and walks the talk.
These guys are animals, literally.
The way they train, eat and move – it’s the way training was meant to be.
It’s a lifestyle.
They don’t pretend or fake it, they live it.
==> http://UndergroundInnerCircle.com
PPPS: The next USC cert will be in Florida, sign up HERE
One Coach is traveling all the way to Florida from Thailand, I saw training footage of him and he blew me away, it is going to be a eye opening and life changing weekend for ALL who take action and attend.
==> http://UndergroundStrengthCoachCertification.com
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Filed under Articles, Calendar, Kick Ass Life, Strength Building, Success, Videos, muscle building by on May 3rd, 2011. Comment.
Check out the Licensed Underground Strength Gym out in Kirkland, Washington.
You heard of MTV Cribs, right?
Well, now we got Underground Strength Cribs! BOOYA, SON!
Before we roll, check out our other Licensed Underground Strength Gyms:
http://damanstrength.com/
http://NewWarriorTraining.com
The Underground Strength Gym License is only open after you have become certified and through special invite. We’re not letting anyone into the family unless they are full blown hard core committed. Plus, you get unlimited coaching and support by me via marketing and training info so this is not some cheap program where anyone can represent our brand.
Check out the tour of Underground Strength Gym NorthWest in Kirkland, Washington….
Drop a comment below and let the boys know you’re crazy proud of them for kickin’ ass and takin’ names!
It takes serious guts to go ahead and build your own dream, I am honored and super proud of these bruddahs.
Let them know your thoughts and drop a comment below…
Peace!
–Z–
PS: The Oct. 10th USC Cert is FAST approaching! It’s gonna be a wild weekend with dudes rollin’ in from all parts of USA and Canada. We have room for more peeps who wanna kick ass.
You can wait till the next one..and the next one…and…..
Or….Realize that timing is NEVER perfect when going for your dreams, sometimes you just gotta say f**k it and jump in.
USC Certification…THE Place to start doing what You love, click HERE to sign up!
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos by on Sep 28th, 2009. 10 Comments.
This was another amazing weekend for me.
Seriously, I am flattered, honored and super impressed with the quaility of bruddahs rollin’ up my way to become Underground Strength Coaches.
The next weekend Underground Strength Coach Certification is FAST approaching, October 10th. Sometimes you just gotta say “F**K It!” and sign up, rather than waiting for the next one and the next one.
Not sure if there ever is such a thing as the “right time.”
Check the highlight & drop a comment or question bruddah broskie…..
I’ll be posting more highlights of what guys are doing in just a few short weeks after completing their USC Certifications.
I LOVE seeing and helping people make their dreams become reality.
What are your BIG plans? How are you gonna make them happen?
Peace Bruddahs!
–Z–
PS: October 10th, USC Cert, Make Your Dreams Become Reality HERE.
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Sep 21st, 2009. 24 Comments.
Yo bruddahs, here’s the latest in an Underground Strength Show Episode – a crazy workout you can try for 5- 10 rounds, or for max rounds in 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
This will kick your ass and give the benefit of packin’ on serious muscle and serious strength.
Let me know your thoughts on how this workout went for you. I’m heading out for my Underground Strength Cert Crew – we have 2 bruddahs here from Canada, 1 from Australia and the other wild men are from all around the USA.
Peace Bruddahs!
–Z–
PS: The October USC Cert is fast approaching. Those who attend fast forward their success BIg time. Check out what happened to the bruddahs below after they rocked The USC Cert….NICE!
Make Your Dreams Happen by Attending The USC Cert this October.
See You In The Dirty Jerzee Sooooon!
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Strength Building, Success, Underground Strength Show, Videos, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Sep 20th, 2009. 9 Comments.
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