When I was a 5th year teacher I picked up the local paper, The Star Ledger, and checked the classified ads. I wanted to see who was selling used gym equipment. Back then, there was nothing fancy for sale. It was barbells, dumbbells and benches. No Hammer Strength. No Cybex. No fancy anything. Just weights. The ads never had photos so you had to imagine and hoped the words describing the equipment were not full of shyt. Remember, this was 20+ years ago and all you had was a sentence or two … [Read more...]
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IRON JOURNEYS: “Crazy Eddie” Wrote me a Letter Circa 1992
In the early 90s I was a part of a gym that was an absolute IRON Palace. It was housed in a large warehouse of 7,000 sq ft between two highways and there was NO AC. There were big industrial fans scattered around the gym but I didn't care. I loved the heat and sweating. I remember training at the old YMCA and the AC was too cold in the Summer time where the sweat on your shirt would feel cold and make you feel like like you were battling between hot and cold. The IRON Palace was … [Read more...]
Ep. 213 | Do You Skip Leg Day in the Gym AND in Life?
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 213, here we GO! Skipping leg day in the gym is 1 thing, skipping leg day in LIFE is another thing! There are NO shortcuts to achieving REAL Success. We ALL know this, but, how many people LIVE this. I had an athlete recently ask me, Do we have to train legs? I almost had to look around for the hidden camera, I thought it was a joke. But, it was NOT a joke. You see, people of ALL ages are weak minded. They seek comfort. They want easy. They think we OWE … [Read more...]
Those Golden Era Bodybuilding Days!
I'm not even sure I can write anything that will speak louder than this training video of Craig Monson, below. When I see these videos, I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era. The Golden Era of Bodybuilding was beyond different, you can literally FEEL the energy exploding out of these videos. Powerlifting in the 70s & 80s? The purity of hardcore gyms that were legitimately "hardcore" - there's not too many of those gyms around anymore. The word is, You can't survive being … [Read more...]
Squats & My Strength Training Philosophy As I Get Older
Here's an excerpt from my updated version of The Underground Strength & Performance Manual (Almost Finished!). Make The Rep or Die….. I never saw anyone miss a rep in the squat until the internet came around. Not once in the gym did I see a guy bail out on a squat and we’re talking age 13 until my late 20s, guys squatting 4, 5 and 6 plates per side. Spotters knew how to spot and lifters were focused. It’s hard to focus when you kinda think you can or maybe you can’t. Check that … [Read more...]
140 | Training for LIFE w/ Zach & Jim Steel
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 140 with my man, Jim Steel. This episode is great, and really, any time I chat with Jim it's like we're just hanging out and talking life. You're gonna love this episode as we discuss the following: … [Read more...]
Russian Lion Power Course Digital Edition
The Way To Live ($27 Included) This 1908 book is a blend of George Hackenschmidt’s autobiography, his philosophy on life and his training system for strength, power & muscle building. Included is a 33 page introduction by myself with my thoughts on life and lifting. This book simplifies the system of training, nutrition and lifestyle, something ALL men should be looking to achieve along with success in life. To learn the ways of other strong & successful men has … [Read more...]
Proper Lifting Technique VS Intensity
There's a time where you can loosen up your technique and push for greater intensity. BUT..... Before we move onward & upward, let me preface that "time" with this: This is NOT a beginner or even an intermediate technique. You see, there is a BIG difference between being sloppy on technique and NOT working the muscle VS loosening the technique a bit to work the muscles AND the mind even harder. I'm not going to tell you that you're a beginner with 6 months of experience or an intermediate … [Read more...]
Endless Lessons Learned from The Underground aka “Old School” Bodybuilding & Strength Training Methods
In the 50s and 60s, strength sports were a small "Underground" cult. Even in the 70s. Until Arnold hit the big screen, bodybuilding and literally building your body was viewed as something only a narcissist would do. Today, of course, being strong, fit and healthy is viewed as "normal". I have been getting back to my roots lately, even with my time crunched workouts, I'm hitting the underground bodybuilding methods and it's paying off big time. When I use the term "Underground", those early … [Read more...]