It was The Fall of 2002, and I had drawn the line...... I was up to my neck in work as a grad student plus working full time as a teacher. I was also coaching Wrestling and the season was a few short weeks away. My time was pressed to say the least. Sunday mornings I would wake up and work on research papers from 10 AM until 10 PM. It was the first time in 7 or 8 years that I was unable to make the trek to my favorite hardcore gym, Diamond Gym. I was too busy to drive 30 minutes each way, … [Read more...]
How to Get Built Like a Brick House
Once in a blue moon you come across an athlete or a gym rat who, as some of us may have said, is "Built like a Brick S**t House". In my countless years of getting under the bar (Training Since 1989), traveling the world and being in countless gyms I have seen my fair share of lifters who are TRULY built like BEASTS. You know the look I'm talking about if you've seen the lifters who have spent 10+ years consistently lifting heavy. It's that Powerful look, thick, densely built muscles that you … [Read more...]
How to Kick Ass, Get STRONGER & Get JACKED in a 1 Car Garage Gym
I remember I was 25 or so, and decided to stop training at the local gym. I was finishing Graduate school which was an hour drive each way. Graduate school was wiping me out in addition to working full time, studying my ass off and trying to train in a hard core gym. Hard core gyms were dead..... Somehow, someway, people in the mid 90s began thinking that being Strong & Jacked was not a cool thing. I swear to you this is NO lie. Magazines came out for this specific look and many gym … [Read more...]
Mark Rippetoe Interview on Building Functional Muscle & Brute Strength
Enjoy the audio interrogation with Coach Mark Rippetoe. Apologies for the little static during the first 2 minutes but it clears up after the 2 minute mark. Have mercy on me as my office is out of a military back pack since moving out and awaiting for our new home to be ready and I don't have a land line :) Regardless....The information in this interview is Golden and make sure you READ the article linked below. It is what I would call EPIC!!". … [Read more...]
There Are NO Secrets
Some say they have secrets for packing on freakish amounts of ripped muscle and insane amounts of strength. The internet is famous for click bait, louring you into something that sounds profound, but in a nut shell is a gimmick. Continue reading if you want the truth. Be warned though, the truth comes hand in hand with WORK! Freak Strength, Brute Strength, Functional Strength & Rugged Muscle - if you want ALL of these traits, then you better Squat and Deadlift. You better fall in love … [Read more...]
Strongman Training for SERIOUS Muscle & Strength
I love the barbell and all free weights. But there is something powerful, beyond the strength benefits, about training with odd objects. The mental toughness, the commitment to finish the struggling rep and the attitude required to fight through is unique to strongman training and odd objects. That being said. Not everyone is ready for this style of training. I explain below.... … [Read more...]
Coach Ethan Reeve Interview
"All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think. The trouble is that men very often resort to all sorts of devices in order not to think, because thinking is such hard work." ~ Thomas J. Watson Wow, look what I dug up! Years ago, I had the opportunity to e mail Coach Ethan Reeve, one of my mentors, and he dished out some of the most insanely powerful training information. Here it is, once again, for your reading pleasure. Grab some coffee … [Read more...]
How 2 Wrestlers & George Hackenschmidt Changed My Way Of Training
I got my hands on an old book a few years ago and it really pushed home the need & the power for simplicity in life, training and nutrition. In addition, the book also encouraged the need for basics - when I saw the build on the author I was inspired to say the least. The author was built like a brick shit house. Above, George Hackschmidt, Built Like A Brick Shit House George Hackenschmidt's workouts were often in the 30 - 45 minute range on average, yet he trained on a almost daily … [Read more...]
Purposeful Primitive Book Review
Above, Kirk Karwoski, world record powerlifter trained under Marty Gallagher, Author of The Purposeful Primitive. One week ago I got a new training book I ordered in the mail, 'The Purposeful Primitive'. It's been a while since I got excited about a book that was published in today's day and age. Most of the info I tend to find accurate, effective and awe inspiring is at least a few decades old but this book has shocked me! All I can say is this: Holy s**t is this book rockin' my world! … [Read more...]
Jim Wendler Interview
I got a chance to grill my homeboy, Jim Wendler. Jim is 100% through and through a super genuine guy, and although a bit crazy, you want to listen carefully to his methods for building brute strength. His training isn't pretty or fancy, but damn do they produce powerful results, period. In the end, results are what count. It's NOT about how cool your program looks or how flashy the exercises are. The strongest and smartest lifters know to use and respect the basics. Click the … [Read more...]