It was June of 1989 when I began lifting weights in my brother's room. For a year, perhaps even 2 years, I was already intrigued with getting strong and building my body. I would read the bodybuilding books and magazines my brother had before I even began training. Unfortunately, those books were bodybuilding based. There were NO performance based training books available at the book stores. Unless I completely ignored them and only read what captured my attention. When I began coaching at a … [Read more...]
5 x 5 Strength Training QnA
Where did the 5 x 5 program originate from? Well, it's been around for DECADES. To my knowledge, Reg Park started the 5 x 5 program. As 1 of the strongest bodybuilders ever, and, a man who could bench 500 lbs, I actually NEVER recall reading about 5 x 5 in my teen years. And I read EVERY bodybuilding magazine and a TON of bodybuilding books. I WISH I came across this program in my high school years. I was too busy doing pump up bull shyt. Although I DO recall a kid I used to lift with … [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...]
Gladiator Bodybuiliding of the 60s & 70s
The Golden Era of Bodybuilding (the 70s) brought on the high volume approach to training. Before this, many of these men trained 3 x week with a full body workout, which is STILL a GREAT program. Men like Steve Reeves built amazing physiques that are still the highest standard for today. Many bodybuilders followed Arnold's lead of 2 workouts a day with the entire body being split across 3 workouts. Arnold changed the scene of bodybuilding not just with his physique, but his charisma. He … [Read more...]
252: Jim “Bandbell” Seitzer, Early Days Westside Barbell & Old School Bodybuilding
STRONG Life Podcast 252 is BEAST! Jim Seitzer started lifting weights in the mid 70s with none other than Louie Simmons. That's right, imagine graduating college and training to be a bodybuilder and on day 1, you see Louie benching 365 at the Ohio State University weight room and when you ask Louie, the strongest guy in the gym for help he says, "Just show up at my house tomorrow!" Jim began training for bodybuilding as a "Power Bodybuilder" in 1976 and went on to become a high level … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 243 QnA: Training Frequency, Best Songs & Gym Business
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 243 QnA style! Topics Covered: Training Frequency, Best Songs (Top 10 Training Songs) & Gym Business. It's been a bit, my friends, and that's because I am putting in that work, coaching 7 - 9 groups a day. In this episode we crush a few questions to give you the inside scoop on: … [Read more...]
Underground Strength Stories: Tom Platz Squats & Diamond Gym
It was the Winter of 1995 and I was driving to Diamond Gym with my training partners. Our typical 30 minute drive to Diamond was the 3 of us getting fired up to destroy the gym as we blasted music from my special Kenwood stereo. Back then, I had cassette tapes that were special mix tapes with our favorite music. But this one time, the guys were strangely silent. I was scared. Scared that our workout was going to be a wash. The entire 30 minute drive I could just feel their lack of … [Read more...]
1967 Mental Toughness Tips from Golden Era Bodybuilding
It's amazing that even in a 1967 Golden Era Bodybuilding Magazine (Muscle Builder) that people were talking about "This generation has gotten soft". This article was called Mom-ism May be the Reason Why You are NOT a Champion. As a parent myself, it is a reminder that the easy life and giving your kids everything you didn't have is NOT helping our kids. In fact, it only hurts them. This is also why I HATE when people send me gifts. Call me crazy but I want to EARN it. I want to BUY it. … [Read more...]
Iron Roots – Ep. 11 – Mike Mentzer aka Mr. Heavy Duty
I was 12 years old, maybe 13 when I first came across the training of Mike Mentzer aka Mr. Heavy Duty. I remember thinking to myself, Holy s--t, this guy looks like he's been carved from stone! Mike had a different physique than the others and the photos of him in training were INTENSE. He looked like he was destroying the gym along with his training partners Casey Viator and Ray Mentzer (his brother). With The Iron Roots Podcast, it's important for me to bring back and share many of … [Read more...]
Thoughts on Squats, Life & Lifting
I had recently come across a video that inspired me to share my thoughts on squats, life and lifting. I've been saying for countless years how the iron is the best therapy for me. Is it the same for you? I don't know, but I am quite confident that if you're in need of a boost, there isn't a whole lot that feels more invigorating and powerful than experiencing an awesome training session. With my hectic schedule, I am getting in a few 5:30 AM training sessions each week. This is much better … [Read more...]
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