In this STRONG Life Bonus Podcast, prepare to go DEEP into a 3 hour podcast with my bro, Mark "Smelly" Bell and his team members, Nsima Inyang & producer, Andrew Zaragoza. We go deep down many rabbit holes and many have reached out to me telling me they did NOT know about a lot of these stories and experiences. Here's just some of the topics we get into...... … [Read more...]
Dealing with Complainers + Training for YOUR Health
I woke this morning unlike any other morning. Nothing special. Today would be another day of work and another opportunity to get better. I've got 13 days left on crutches after my full meniscus repair. I remind myself that every morning I rise is another day closer to freedom with no crutches. Hard work is my normal. If you have ever been a fan of 20 rep squats and struggling under a bar, most likely you've taken those lessons and applied them to your life. I say "most likely" … [Read more...]
Underground Strength from 1947 + the TOUGH Training of Mas Oyama
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...]
Building Muscle is NOT As Complicated as the “Gurus” Say
I am fired up as I write this. After 3 weeks on crutches, I finally was able to return to my high school to coach the athletes. I am also back at The Underground Strength Gym coaching. After training the Football team, I spoke to the guys about how I was proud of their efforts. We crushed a training session and then I left it on them to hit hill sprints. "Train as hard as you want to Win" is a phrase I often use. It puts the responsibility on them to do the work. Being a bit limited with … [Read more...]
Are You Training Too Hard? Injuries? Lack of Progress?
Training too hard...... Who would have thought I would ever bring this topic up because if you go to a local gym, you'll see people sitting and lying on benches in between their sets, head down and locked in on their PHONE. It's crazy, people don't even get up between sets. But, for those of you who were training decades ago, perhaps you have gone through the ringer with intensity. And, maybe some of you today are copying the workouts of your favorite instagram lifter but simply don't … [Read more...]
Training Around Injuries + My Full Meniscus Repair
I've been around athletes for 25+ years now. Even dating back to my knee injuries in high school, I learned that it is always better to work around an injury rather than sit home on the couch and sulk. The year was 1993 and I was a senior in high school. During practice my R knee swelled up to the size of a softball. I limped to the team locker room and took off my knee pad. My Coach came in a few minutes after to check on me and caught me crying. I wasn't crying from pain. I was crying … [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...]
John Grimek Workout + Training in Your 40s
It is always inspiring to me when I dig up my old muscle magazines from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Those photos of John Grimek, Steve Reeves, Reg Park, etc simply exude strength. These men had physiques that proved what could be done with a few hard training sessions each week, while eating a well balanced diet. Meat, Eggs, Fish, Veggies, Fruits and some carbs. Simple. Not easy. John Grimek, pictured above is in his late 40s. Look at his back. His body is a symbol of work. WORK; The very thing … [Read more...]
Chuck Sipes Inspired Workout: The 1-10-1 Method
It was a Friday and I was feeling inspired to go through a tough training session with an old school feel to it. I dug up some old muscle mags with Chuck Sipes, one of the strongest bodybuilders ever from the 60s. He favored heavy lifting and I have written several articles on Chuck Sipes (Find them HERE). Chuck's home gym is where he trained most of the time. The other times he trained was at his work when he was a Youth Officer for The CYA / California Youth Authority. Chuck had a … [Read more...]
Simple & Effective Nutrition Tips from Physical Culture, Silver & Golden Era Bodybuilding
I've been going through my old magazines from the 50s and 60s and really love seeing the nutrition basics. And a few weeks ago, someone sent me my original paper back of The Way to Live, which I recreated into The Russian Lion Power Course. So now, I am going through and rereading some of George Hackenschmidt's nutrition, training and lifestyle tips. Everything was so simple and yet so effective when we look at the nutrition and training tips dating back to the Physical Culture era (early … [Read more...]
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