In the early 2000s when I began Underground Strength, it was truly "Underground". At the time, the "in thing" was training on one leg, on a bosu ball or physio ball. You had to use a medicine ball, rotating, half kneeling and doing what many today consider "circus tricks". That was when "functional training" became the buzz word along with the infamous "core training". Many of the "popular" Coaches laughed at me and made jokes. During an interview one day I remember saying, "I would put my … [Read more...]
Tommy’s TOUGH Garage Gym
My buddy Sean lived up the street from me and we were friends since 3rd grade when his elementary school closed down and joined my elementary school. Back then, the town we lived in wasn't so populated so our school district sold 2 elementary schools and consolidated their costs. Sean was a multi sport athlete; Football, Wrestling, Basketball and Baseball. His Dad had him in every sport as a kid. We would get to school 20 minutes early to play Football and Basketball. Sean was the first kid … [Read more...]
Getting Tough & Pissed off for Greatness
In this BONUS episode of The STRONG Life Podcast I am a guest on Pressing The Limits Podcast with my friend, Jon Bruney. We dig deep into the mindset needed to be TOUGH & Successful in all aspects of life. And I gotta tell you, the more I Coach, the more I am reminded about what it takes for athletes to be successful. They need to be TOUGH. They need GRIT. They need to get Pissed off for Greatness. As an adult, if you are lacking grit & toughness, then life will kick your a-- up … [Read more...]
Program Design for Athletes: Are You Training for Sports or Powerlifting?
Last Friday an athlete I train pulled 500 on the trap bar. He is a 15 yr old high school Football player & LAX player. He was fired up that day and he said he wanted to go for it. On days when someone is ready emotionally AND physically to go hard, you Go for it. As long as the timing is right and safe, you go for it. In this Video I explain some context behind why I program the way I do for MOST athletes. Again, it depends on many factors and I never paint a broad brush, because times … [Read more...]
4 Kettlebell Garage Gym Workouts
I began using Kettlebells back in 2003. Those were some GOOD times. I didn't own a warehouse gym at the time so my training was in my garage or my buddy and I would train at parks and playgrounds with a few Kettlebells, a sandbag and a sled. I sometimes, I just want to go back to those simple times. And so I go to my garage or a playground where nobody is there. Solitude is great. The other day I had that feeling coming back again. I went outside to shovel first and get the body working. I … [Read more...]
7 Strength Training / Coaching Mistakes that Hurt Athletes
I'm gonna kick this off with something that might sound like arrogance, but in truth, it's me taking pride in what we do and the results we've been delivering since day 1, 2002 garage days. I used to get hated on for how we trained but I look back and feel even those early days, even as imperfect as it all was, it was VERY EFFECTIVE. It was effective because we crushed the basics. We developed athletes, NOT just athletes who could lift heavy weights. These athletes were succeeding in every … [Read more...]
Random Thoughts November 2020
Sometimes I write for no other reason than to write for myself. That's right, just for me. It's a great way to cleanse the mind and get something out of your head and onto paper or in this case, on the computer. I don't care that "blogging isn't cool anymore" or whatever other bull shyt people like to spout. The photo above is because I often talk about a "cabin in the woods". Yes, that will happen. I look forward to that day..... OK, here goes, for the rare few who actually read and … [Read more...]
247: Kurt Hester: Strength & Conditioning “Madman”
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 247 with Kurt Hester. WOW, what an awesome episode with Kurt who is in his late 50s (I always say he looks like he's 32) and crushing it as a Coach. I have a TON of respect for Kurt. He has been at the D1 level in the big schools, then went and opened his private facility for close to 20 years, then at almost 50 was hired at the D1 level and is building hammers. As a Coach, Kurt is improving every day and has had decades and decades of experience at both the … [Read more...]
Training In Your 40s, Bulgarian Power Burst, Bench Press + Deadlift Tips
With my hectic schedule I am going through some short training sessions, around 15-20 minutes a clip. Sometimes I get 2 mini sessions a day and instead of complaining, I simply get it done. Announcing how tired or busy I am is a waste of time. Nobody cares, including myself. I despise even my own excuses. While at school where I coach, I might go through 3-4 exercises as a circuit of 3 - 4 rounds. I've used bodyweight, kettlebells, fat bells and some basic machines (perhaps a lat pulldown or … [Read more...]
The “BEST Way” to Train & Develop Athletes for LONG Term Success
Is there a "best way" to train athletes? Many roads can lead to Rome, but the way America is operating with regards to training our youth, only the genetically gifted are thriving. The majority are getting injured and / or burning out emotionally long before they are at the age where they can achieve high levels of athleticism or their true potential . I'm saying this through experience, not guessing. I started training athletes in 1995. Every 5 years or so, I notice another decline in … [Read more...]
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