This is an old school video of me attacking a bodybuilding / strength style workout, but using Kettlebells instead of traditional free weights. I remember feeling bored with my workouts and I wanted to switch things up and shock my body and my mind. Whatever training tool I use, I attack it, plain and simple. The lesson to be learned here is.... … [Read more...]
15 Minute Muscle Building Workouts
I was in a bit of a rush Friday before clients were heading in to The Underground Strength Gym and I was finishing up some work on the Blog. Not to worry, as I knew I could crank out some brutal work for myself with limited time. Hey, 15 minutes sounds like nothing but when you're as insanely busy as I am, it works when you need it to work, and, you learn to cut out the crap and focus on the meat and potatoes. Getting stronger in both the physical and mental state is what I TRULY love. … [Read more...]
A Day at DeFranco’s – The Strongman Challenge
Yesterday I made the one hour trek up north to my homeboy Joe D's gym, and damn, what a gym it is, I'm in heaven there. The atmosphere is always high octane and steel is always clanging together or being dropped on the floor. It was our 2nd year competing in Joe D's strongman contest, and this year we brought 1 high school athlete and 5 college athletes. Unfortunately, 2 were unable to attend due to injury and family vacation. I had a wedding to attend yesterday and I was big time pressed … [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...]
Jonny Hinds & Kettlebells in Action: The Kettlebell Prison Style Workout
My homeboy, Jonny Hinds, is tearing it up with kettlebells and box jumps with his favorite style of training, "Prison Workouts". Prison workouts usually involve some sort of: Descending / Ladder Style reps Total Rep Challenge … [Read more...]
Power Talk with Jonny Hinds of The Monkey Bar Gym
On my one hand, I can count those who have REALLY influenced me in training AND in life. Without hesitation, Jonny Hinds is one of those people. I connected with Jon maybe 2 or 3 years ago by phone, after Pat Miletich, the MMA Coach and former UFC Champion, sent me his way. I would spend over an hour on the phone talking about physical culture and nutrition every time we chatted. We would philosophize about life and exchange cool training and life stories and experiences, and, I'll admit, … [Read more...]
333 | Interview With Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell Club: Lessons from The Westside Barbell Book of Methods
STRONG Life Podcast ep 333 This is a throwback interview I did with Louie Simmons, back in 2008. Back then, there were NO podcasts. I was using a landline to record these audio interviews for https://UndergroundStrengthCoach.com This was done after Louie released his book, The Westside Barbell Book of Methods. I devoured that book in NO time and could NOT put it down. … [Read more...]
No Respect for Basic Strength Training? Lift in the Garage
I have had some interesting conversations with Jim Wendler. One in particular struck a chord with me quite heavily. In fact, it has helped mold a process I use at my gym when training new athletes. Jim and I spoke about the lack of respect for the weights nowadays, specifically by those who spend too much time on the internet and at these fancy gyms. I see how kids casually skip workouts that their parents pay for without a care in the world. I see how countless high school athletes don’t … [Read more...]
Kettlebell Night Ops
It was 10 PM at night. The air was cool and my wife was asleep. My daughter fell asleep at 8:30 PM and I just finish cleaning up, massaging my wife to fall asleep and unable to get in my quick workout, I headed around the backyard into the dark to grab an 80 lb Kettlebell. The sky was bright, being it was a full moon, I was able to see better than usual. I had to train, because being strong is what made me successful in the first place. Strength is what gave me grit and toughness to … [Read more...]
BONUS: Jim Wendler Throwback Interview, 2006
This is a STRONG Life BONUS Podcast episode. It's a Throwback, from 2006, so please understand the audio quality back then was NOT what it is today. Instead, enjoy the Information. 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 strength without all the complications. NOTE: This audio interview is OLD, long before fancy recording equipment was out. It was recorded on a landline phone! So don't cry … [Read more...]