Give me nothing but a Barbell and I will Build a BadAss.
Do you have the discipline, drive and dedication to train with nothing but a barbell? If you do, then we can make it happen. But the truth is that MOST don't desire the simplicity.
They crave the fancy. They crave the fads. If my business could be run like a simple training hall we can certainly weed out the not so serious.
Add some bodyweight bodybuilding aka calisthenics and now we have a match made in heaven.
When in doubt, I revert to the Deadlift and calisthenics or a simple barbell lift such as the squat or power clean. With simplicity and intensity comes powerful results.
See the Video below as I explain why you must attack the deadlifts & calisthenics.
[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG3GdHZlKaw[/youtube]
And, below is a video from our Deadlift session at The Underground Strength Coach Cert + Travis Mashs' Learn 2 Lift.
[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KuPTF0losc[/youtube]
Travis Mash Deadlifts 635 lbs at 42 Years Young
[youtube width="640" height="360"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObFZtBGAL7I[/youtube]
3 Reasons You Need to Attack Deadlifts & Calisthenics:
- The Deadlift builds a unique type of strength. A type of strength that delivers strength in the gym, in sports or at work and during ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). You also get an INCREDIBLE feeling of inner strength & confidence from Deadlifting. The primitive nature of the Deadlift makes you feel like a Savage.
- Calisthenics & Bodyweight Bodybuilding makes you feel agile, mobile and hostile. It is the ultimate control over your body. Sprints, Jumps, Explosive Push Ups, Rope Climbing, etc give you the coordination and athleticism that help drive your raw strength (from Deadlifts, Squats, Cleans, etc) to greater heights. You never want to be Strong & Useless. Never.
- Your shoulders will thank you. When I spent 6 months doing ONLY Bodyweight Bodybuilding my joints felt GREAT. My love, passion and addiction to heavy lifting takes it's toll on my joints and it will have you paying the price as well. There is a give and take when doing lots of heavy overhead pressing and bench pressing.The Deadlift can be used with lighter weights for speed and every 6 - 8 weeks some heavy singles and you will make regular strides in strength.Combining Deadlifts with Calisthenics can be the simplest yet most powerful "training program".I know the scientists and perfectionists will cry over such simplicity but the expert knows the power behind simplicity, the amateur seeks out the fads and gimmicks.
The bottom line is that results don't lie.
With over 1,000 athletes having training at The Underground Strength Gym and Tens of Thousands going through my online training, the results have been powerful.
At the end of the day Results are the only things that count.
Time to hit some Deadlifts & Calisthenics. Simple and Powerful.
Live The Code 365,
--Z--
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Another solid post! Deadlifts are like a light switch positively channeled aggression!
Chris, truth! People need to deadlift….. it will change their attitude about having a “bad day” bc they already did something TOUGH that day.
You mean it impacts the psyche- which translates to mental strength in all aspects of life?
Yes, Sir. Anytime my athletes seem to be lacking…. They deadlift. They flip tires, they power clean.
It builds confidence and mental strength that doesn’t come from your typical globo gym workout
This is the article I wanted to see. I do clean and jerks coupled with back squats, my body needs 3 days in between to rest and recover so on those days I use my elliptical I’ll be 50 next year and I find this routine works best for me.And yes Zach I agree when you use a barbell you get this confidence and power unlike anything else. Don’t stop writing those, I love them, thank you.
This is the article I wanted to see. I do clean and jerks coupled with back squats, my body needs 3 days in between to rest and recover so on those days I use my elliptical I’ll be 50 next year and I find this routine works best for me.And yes Zach I agree when you use a barbell you get this confidence and power unlike anything else. Don’t stop writing those blogs, I love them, thank you.
Vinnie, glad you love these articles, brother!
Zach, I’m a 30 year old. Skinny guy who could care less as to what he looks like but rather move better for the next 60 years. Your article inspires me to attack deadlifts hard but to heal and build it with yoga and calisthenics.
I got three goals jn fitness: pick up the kids, lift up the wife, and pick up the check.
Thanks, dude.
Andy that is an AWESOME “To Do List”.! Keep crushing it, my friend!
What a coincidence—That is precisely what I have been doing as of the past several weeks. Every morning, I have been focused on bodyweight training: push ups, chin ups, running or swimming.
At times, I feel that is more than enough until I shoulder a heavy keg or pull a big deadlift. I realize just how vital these basic, simple lifts keeps you savage. Brute strength coupled with muscular endurance.
Great post!