Volume training was a BIG deal back in the 70s and then it made a comeback in the past 5-8 years. What's old is new again but the truth is, there is a time and place for everything. Who needs volume training and when should volume work be applied? When is the best time to implement volume training and who is best suited for volume work? How can you still train smart when applying volume training compared to the mistakes I made in my younger years by incorrectly applying volume … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider Ep. 36 | How to Gain 30 lbs of Muscle
In this episode of The STRONG Life Insider I outline the nutrition and training required for the under-sized athlete to get JACKED & STRONG. 1 of the things we've been doing at The Underground Strength Gym for close to 20 years is transforming undersized athletes rapidly. Now, ONLY those who follow through on BOTH training AND nutrition achieve the transformation. There are certainly plenty of athletes who do NOT follow through on the eating or they skimp out on the training and then of … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider Ep. 34: BEST Business Tips for Strength Coaches
In this episode of The STRONG Life Insider, I answer a GREAT question that LOTS of Strength Coaches mess up. Heck, I used to mess this up myself in my early days ALL the time. You MUST avoid this business mistake because it WILL only Hurt your Business. Enjoy the show! … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider Ep. 33 | Gym Strong VS Life STRONG
Here we GO! STRONG Life Insider Ep. 33. In this episode, I was inspired as I thought WAY back 30+ years ago to my days of getting my lunch stolen. The days of being afraid of others, where guys would bump me in the hallway on purpose. The days of getting my bike stolen and not being able to do a thing about it. The days of being afraid of the guys in the same grade who were bigger and stronger. Well, those days came to an end because eventually, you gotta get pissed off for GREATNESS. You … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider: Chop Wood, Carry Water
I love books. And the way I REALLY know the book is great? I start getting bummed out as I notice the end of the book is near. In this episode of The STRONG Life Insider, I share an excerpt & my lessons from the book, Chop Wood, Carry Water, by Joshua Medcalf. The STRONG Life Insider is the "little brother" of The STRONG Life Podcast yet just as powerful. Each episode is around 8-12 minutes. Get your learn on and listen to this episode. It is a crucial listen for anyone who has that … [Read more...]
6 Reasons Why Your Training Program is Failing
I am always learning. I find podcasts or articles, even old books from decades ago to see how the "What's old is new" philosophy can help me become a better coach & lifter. Recently, I have been listening to an interview with Dave Tate & JM Blakley. I will share the video below as it's over 3 hours long. I listen to the interview while driving. And the 1 part that hit home for me was when JM said that we are not all that different. We like to THINK we're so different and that we all … [Read more...]
BONUS | Zach Gets Interviewed on The Garage Gym Start Up Podcast
In this BONUS episode of The STRONG Life Podcast, I get interviewed by fellow Underground Strength Coach, David DeLeon. David runs Of The Lion Fitness in Tx and The Garage Gym Start Up Podcast. This was a great, GREAT episode filled with LOTS of stories along with crucial training AND business tips for ANY Strength Coach. David and I met when he was part of The CrossFit Central Team of Coaches which was the first group / team of coaches to travel for a private Underground Strength Coach … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Insider: The Development of Muscular Bulk & Power
From Anthony Ditillo's Book, The Development of Muscular Bulk and Power There is something about bulk and power training that invades your very soul. It is extremely hard to put into words. The exercise movements themselves are quite simple to perform. The routines one must utilize in order to gain rapidly that much sought after strength are not especially interesting or dynamic in appearance. All in all, powerlifting and bulk training is a rather mechanical robot like procedure, which is … [Read more...]
205 | 1 KEY Trait of Successful Strength & Conditioning Coaches
In this episode of The STRONG Life Podcast I share The 1 KEY Trait of Successful Strength & Conditioning Coaches. And by the way, if you are NOT a Coach, then NO worries. This trait can be applied to ANY endeavor and / or career path. Remember, SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES! This quick podcast hit me this past weekend after attending and speaking at Pat Beith's Complete Speed & Power Summit. Man, I am fired UP! Every Coach who presented was also front and center learning from the other … [Read more...]
History Behind The Underground Strength Gym, Life Stories & Lessons Learned
Welcome to another Bonus episode of The STRONG Life Podcast. In this episode, The boys from The Mind Muscle Project hit this one out of the park when they interviewed me. It was reminiscent of when The Barbell Shrugged crew came to NJ and we could have kept talking for hours on end. This episode is a Bonus of The STRONG Life Podcast and you're going to LOVE it! We talk about early days of The Underground Strength Gym and how it all started. From my $3,000 "Lunch at Taco Bell" with Gary … [Read more...]