In this episode of The Iron Roots Podcast, I get into the History behind the box squat. I also share how we use the box squat at The Underground Strength Gym along with proper application of the box squat. I see a LOT of mistakes with the use of the box squat, including when I see footage from D1 University weight rooms. That is NO good. My first exposure to the box squat was from watching Louie Simmons' Westside Barbell VHS tapes. Louie learned how to Box Squat from these original … [Read more...]
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 4 | The Touch System
Iron Roots Podcast Ep. 4. In this episode, I talk about a technique used for spotting that is more psychological than it is physical. In fact, I was using this myself in my late teens when I began pushing heavier poundages in the Squat & Bench Press. Little did I know, this was being used in the mid 60s, originally by the ORIGINAL Westside Barbell crew in Bill Peanuts West's garage gym! Check it out! … [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...]
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...]
The 6 Most Effective Strength & Muscle Building Methods
I've been doing a LOT of thinking about the various ways I have trained since starting back in 1989, well over 25 years of experience. I thought about the methods that wasted my time and didn't produce anything but all show and NO go muscles. Those days bother me BIG time because they have scarred me for a lifetime and unfortunately didn't help my success in athletics. I also thought about my days of squatting 455 lbs for reps. My days of breaking away from what the other guys in the gym were … [Read more...]
The Great Biceps Training Debate
The biceps training debate isn't a debate if you truly understand the need to be strong all around. In addition, if you've ever worked with someone too weak to perform a push up and pull up, you find a way to put muscle on their body, anywhere! Biceps are last on my list of "things to do" but to leave them out completely? My thoughts.... … [Read more...]
Are Box Squats Better Than Olympic Style Squats
The past year or so we've gotten away from box squats at our gym. Is it the BEST answer? In Strength & Performance, there are BETTER answers but not always "the best" answers. I recall having ONE kid, who could box squat over 405. But.... there were flaws. The box was set a bit high as he would squat with guys taller than him. At the time, we had a 50/50 mix of free squats vs box squats. When this kid tried to free squat 315 he got CRUSHED. … [Read more...]
Man UP Monday & Dr. Jim Wendler
There are some men who REALLY have my respect, a very rare few. Jim Wendler is one of those guys, and, every time we chat I am reminded why. We're both very simple men. We chase strength and train because we understand that man is supposed to be strong and if you're a Dad, then you need to be even stronger, inside and out. You train your body to prepare your mind for life and any craziness that might be thrown your way. When other men crumble under the pressure and stress, you thrive and … [Read more...]
Short On Time Workouts
Sometimes, time just ain't on your side. You have two choices when this happens: 1) Skip your workout and come back the next time. More often than not, your excuse will NOT be valid, it will only validate the fact that you're an excuse maker and did NOT act on opportunity when opportunity presented itself to you. You contribute to the pussification of Man kind here and it's suggested you avoid this at ALL costs. 2) Lock down your workout and attack with only 1 or 2 … [Read more...]