There's lots of sensitivity floating around nowadays. Everyone gets offended by your words, not just from people but from words on the internet, from people they don't know and will likely never meet in person. People argue over politics, training programs, taxes, etc - then they waste hours on end posting their thoughts and feelings on websites or comment sections that will never create change in this world. The truth is, your Instagram or YouTube comment is NOT going to create … [Read more...]
STRONG Life BONUS: Zach Goes on The Garage Gym Coach Podcast
In this Bonus episode of The STRONG Life Podcast, I am interviewed on The Garage Gym Coach Podcast. We crushed some great questions for you and covered the following topics: … [Read more...]
Should You NOT Squat, Bench & Deadlift?
I was chatting with a friend over the weekend over dinner and I train his son for the past 2 years. He told me how another Dad was worried about training at The Underground Strength Gym because his son was 14 and he was afraid he would squat, deadlift, bench, etc. First off - These 3 exercises are NOT bad. Context matters here. Let me explain why...... … [Read more...]
5 Thoughts (Tips) on Program Design for Athletes
I love studying and talking program design. But even more so, I LOVE Coaching. You see, LOTS of books, articles, "influencers" can TALK about program design but can you COACH? Can you COMMAND the room? I want to share these 5 thoughts (maybe you will see them as tips, maybe not) regarding Strength & Conditioning. If you're hungry to learn, this is for you. If you're "good enough" or "too busy", get back to searching for fads and gimmicks. Move along, nothing to see here, … [Read more...]
5 X 5 Training + Bodyweight Bodybuilding Tips
Yesterday on my IG I shared the above cover and tips on how to use 5 X 5 along with Bodyweight Bodybuilding. Then yesterday afternoon I came across the news that Franco had passed away. It was heartbreaking for me. It hit home for me as Franco and Arnold were heroes to me as a kid. Seeing your hero passing away is crushing. You begin to realize that YOUR time on this earth is also limited. As a kid, I devoured Arnold's Encyclopedia and his Education of a Bodybuilder. Doing so made me … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Podcast + Order of Man Adventure Trip
I had an amazing trip up to Maine this past Summer to connect with Ryan Michler of Order of Man. Maine is absolutely stunning. I will definitely return again. During my trip I stayed at a farm that inspired me, I share the story & photos in the video below. Ryan and I crushed a powerful Podcast, thrashed a morning garage gym workout with his oldest son and then attended The Origin Maine Summer party. Origin Maine are the guy who have partnered with Jocko on making jiu jitsu gis, … [Read more...]
The Benefits of High Rep Bodyweight Training
After going through my Bodyweight Bodybuilding course for some edits, reviews and updates, I changed up some programming for the athletes at The Underground Strength Gym. 1 of those updates was organizing their extra days with more volume of bodyweight squats. Yes, the simple bodyweight squat! I will post a photo below with that sample "extra day" along with some video footage. So make sure you read the entire article.... Now, almost 20 years ago I recall studying Indian Wrestling … [Read more...]
Getting Back to the Bells’ & Bodyweight Training + Donnie Thompson (SuperD) Inspiration
Here and there I catch myself getting away from training that is more Physical Culture based and end up chasing numbers. Now, there is NOTHING wrong with being Strong. But something was missing for me. I wanted to feel the toughness and challenge of working with circuits / complexes of Kettlebells, Fat Bell, Center Mass Bells. With my shoulder injury some years ago, I limit the overhead work but testing Donnie Thompson's Bow Tie made everything feel fine! … [Read more...]
Are You a Slave to Your Phone & Technology?
Image Rights from Genesis Lawyer It's heartbreaking to see it. I drive through town slowly and people are crossing the street without even looking up. I think to myself, what is the conversation in their head right now? I will die crossing this street as long as I can see what's on Instagram! This addictive behavior is doing nothing beneficial for you. You wake up, check your phone. Out to eat with friends and family, check your phone. … [Read more...]
Do These 3 Bodyweight Only Exercises
There are 3 crucial bodyweight exercises that everyone should be able to do AND, that everyone should put a lot of energy into. 1) Push Ups - we learned these as kids and surprisingly, I don't see too many people doing basic push ups anymore. If you're shoulders are banged up from heavy benching and squats with a straight bar, then get busy on push ups and give the barbell a break. Focus on doing high reps and of course, perfect technique. Imagine your body is a 2 x 4 or a ruler, … [Read more...]